Development Manager of Donor Relations & Engagement

Development Manager of Donor Relations & Engagement   Job Summary 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.

About KIPP DC 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 pillars–Academic Excellence, Joy & Sense of Belonging, Highly Effective Teachers and Leaders, Safe, Structured, and Nurturing Learning Environments, and Commitment to College Readiness–which 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.

Location and Type of Work This is an exempt position and will report to the Director of Development.

As a headquarters team that is focused on being responsive to our schools and meeting the needs of our students and families, we approach our work in a way that reflects these priorities.

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 :

• The percentages for each key responsibility are estimates, and other duties may be assigned.
• Flexibility and responsiveness are encouraged to accommodate organizational needs.   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) Develop and maintain operational systems to ensure clear communication of fundraising progress, goals, and strategies to the advancement team, finance team, C-Suite, and stakeholders.  Lead the organization and maintenance of donor management systems, ensuring they support high-volume cultivation and stewardship activities with efficiency and accuracy.  Analyze historical and market trends to help set ambitious yet achievable revenue and donor retention goals, developing interim benchmarks to track progress and guide strategies.  Oversee donor data and gift records in the CRM, ensuring accurate and timely entry, and partner with the finance team to track all contributions and monitor progress toward fundraising goals.
• Participate actively in organizational and team-wide initiatives, including staff meetings, professional development retreats, fundraising events, and public relations efforts to promote collaboration and team alignment.
• Portfolio Management (20% of time) Lead and manage all aspects of KIPP DC’s school-based grant program, Golden Opportunity Fund.  Plan and execute the solicitation and stewardship of silent auction donations for KIPP DC’s annual event to support revenue goals and donor engagement.  Manage internal communication with headquarters and school-based staff to align development initiatives with organizational priorities and maintain transparency.  Lead and manage all school-based fundraising efforts.
• Provide comprehensive administrative and campaign support across the advancement team to facilitate the seamless execution of fundraising and donor engagement efforts.

Requirements & Preferences Required Qualifications Bachelor's Degree Education / Degree  A minimum of 3 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, or communications.  Experience using a CRM (ex :

Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving :

Project Management :

Communications and Influence :

Cultural Humility :

Continuous Learning :

Benefits & Compensation KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package :

Please Note :

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