Development Manager of Donor Relations & Engagement

Development Manager of Donor Relations & Engagement

The Development Manager of Donor Relations & Engagement role is an integral part of the Development Team, ensuring KIPP DC's efforts to steward, engage, and maintain donor investments for the organization's priorities. The starting salary range for this role is $78,436-$85,256. This is a full-time, occasional flexibility role based at HDQ with an anticipated start date of January 5, 2026.

For 25 years, KIPP DC has partnered with students, families, and the community to create joyful, academically excellent schools across the nation's capital. Today, our network of 22 schools educate more than 7,500 students in grades PreK3-12, supported by 1,500 dedicated teachers, leaders, and staff.

Our work is grounded in five pillarsAcademic Excellence, Joy & Sense of Belonging, Highly Effective Teachers and Leaders, Safe, Structured, and Nurturing Learning Environments, and Commitment to College Readinesswhich ensure every student is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue success in college, careers, and beyond. Our schools combine high expectations with joyful, affirming environments that nurture academic success and personal growth for students and staff alike.

As part of the national KIPP network, we share best practices and innovations while maintaining deep roots in Washington, D.C. Together, we strive toward a future without limits for our students, alumni, and community.

About the Role

The Development Manager of Donor Relations & Engagement plays a key role in advancing KIPP DC's mission by fostering and maintaining meaningful donor relationships to ensure annual fundraising goals are met. This position leads the creation and implementation of innovative engagement, stewardship, and gratitude strategies, partnering with the development team to inspire donor investment and support for KIPP DC's students and programs.

This is an exempt position and will report to the Director of Development. This position will generally work independently and not regularly interface with students, families, or school teams. This position will primarily work from our headquarters office to maintain a connection to their colleagues and foster a sense of cross-functional collaboration. Because of the nature of this position's work, this role allows for hybrid flexibility and will be required to be onsite 3 days per week.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities :

• Donor Relations & Engagement (40% of time)
• Build and implement systems to manage and enhance donor engagement, including newsletters, campaigns, donor events (Investor & Partner Circle series, donor tours, annual fundraiser, etc.) and recognition events, ensuring consistent and meaningful touchpoints with stakeholders.
• Draft, execute, and optimize all development-related communications, such as donor acknowledgment letters, cultivation mailings, and stakeholder newsletters, aligning with brand and donor engagement goals.
• Plan, organize, and evaluate donor engagement events to deepen relationships and foster meaningful conversations.
• Analyze donor data to identify key opportunities and equip advancement and executive teams with actionable insights for donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Prepare them with research briefs, email templates, and call scripts to facilitate engagement.
• Maintain regular and high-quality communication with key supporters, such as corporate partners, major donors, the Ambassador Board, and the Board of Directors, to strengthen relationships and secure long-term investment.

Development Operations & Management (40% of time)

Portfolio Management (20% of time)

Requirements & Preferences

Required Qualifications :

Preferred Qualifications :

Physical Requirements :

Demonstrated Excellence in the Following Areas :

Benefits & Compensation

KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package :

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal, DC, state, or local law), religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), marital status (including domestic partnership status), genetic information, political affiliation,