Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to join a non-profit with a great mission? Paws With A Cause® is looking for a customer-oriented, team player to work as our Donor Engagement Specialist. This position will be responsible for synthesizing all programmatic components related to sustaining relationships with PAWS donors, ensuring systematic and meaningful engagement with the PAWS mission. This is a Salary Exempt position with base hours of Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm. Salary range of $55k-$61k/annually. Great benefits and a PTO package available!

About Paws With A Cause

Paws With A Cause® (PAWS) exists to create opportunities to live with dignity, companionship and confidence. We do our best work by embodying our core values: adaptability, dedication, innovation, and optimism. 

PAWS enhances the independence and quality of life for people with disabilities through custom-trained Assistance Dogs.

Position Summary

The Donor Engagement Specialist will be responsible for synthesizing all programmatic components related to sustaining relationships with PAWS donors, ensuring systematic and meaningful engagement with the PAWS mission. This individual also will manage a portfolio of donors. The Donor Engagement Specialist must demonstrate excellent customer service and have enthusiasm about the program and the PAWS organization.

Essential Responsibilities

1. Adhere to and emulate PAWS’ Core Values in all that you do; must conduct yourself as an ambassador of PAWS displaying a proper cultural fit within the organization.
2. Adhere to the highest ethical standards; demonstrate empathetic disposition and perseverance; reflect optimistic and positive attitude; and convey sensitivity to the needs of donors. 
3. Ensure best practices and strategic thinking regarding donor engagement and stewardship efforts across all segments of the organization.
4. Identify ways in Advancement’s strategic and operational plans to improve stewardship efforts in conjunction with the Director of Leadership & Legacy Giving. 
5. Customize a donor-centric fundraising model through such efforts as implementing a robust program to increase retention of first-time donors, developing a focus on anniversary giving, and recognizing Legacy Society membership, etc. 
6. Recommend appropriate donor portfolio assignments and segmentation, in support of annual, major, and planned giving strategies.
7. Analyze mid-level donor program and help develop strategies for acquiring, renewing, retaining, and upgrading donors. 
8. Utilize a system of acknowledgement that includes the CEO, Board of Directors, Advancement Team members, and other PAWS staff, as appropriate.
9. Compose customized and targeted gift acknowledgements that are timely and accurate. 
10. Support special fundraising campaigns, in conjunction with Director of Leadership & Legacy Giving, by developing naming opportunities and coordinating donor signage, etc. 
11. Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 donors. 
12. Assist with prospect research as assigned.
13. Maintain current and thorough donor records in donor database. 
14. Envision and execute stewardship events, involving other PAWS staff as needed to implement high-quality functions.
15. Support PAWS events whether as the point person for stewardship events or as a member of the Advancement Team with an eye to weave effective stewardship throughout. 
16. Track and report progress using specific metrics. 
17. Other duties as assigned.

Non-Essential Responsibilities

1. Remain current with national trends in donor relations.
2. Support other Advancement initiatives as needed and appropriate, including special events, direct mail solicitations, annual fund and marketing initiatives and administrative task support.
3. Document all contacts, communications, visits, proposals, and appropriate donor files within Raiser’s Edge.
4. Respond to all donors, whether in or out of assigned portfolio, with timely follow-up. 

Supervision Received

• General Direction: Work from company policies and general objectives. Rarely refer to superior, only for clarification and interpretation of company policy.  

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• N/A

Education & Experience

1. 2-4 years of experience in donor relations and engagement in a non-profit setting or commensurate related experience.
2. Experience with Raiser’s Edge preferred.

Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

1. Proven ability to work independently and as a self-starter. 
2. Must be a highly energetic professional with a proven track record of working with diverse audiences and building donor relationships. 
3. Demonstrate strong planning skills, including the ability to anticipate tasks, set priorities, meet deadlines and function smoothly under strict deadlines and shifting priorities.
4. Ability and willingness to work assigned office hours, as well as weeknight or weekend activities to implement and support PAWS events.

Core competencies

1. Emotional Intelligence: Ability to identify with or be sensitive to the feelings and experiences of others.
2. Innovation: Ability to go beyond the conventional, try unique solutions, and encourage new ideas from employees and co-workers.
3. Problem-solving: Ability to recognize effective courses of action to handle problems, gather and organize information, identify cause and effect relationships, and apply contingency plans to solve those problems.
4. Communication: Ability to effectively receive and express ideas, both written and verbal; using clear and concise vocabulary and active listening skills.
5. Detail-oriented: Ability to pay attention to detail, accuracy, and completeness.
6. Customer Service: A desire to serve others by focusing efforts on listening and responding effectively to questions, providing services, and evaluating customer satisfaction.

Physical Requirements:

Average Daily Physical Requirements:

• Work in stationary position: More than 5 hours
• Move about work area: Less than 2 hours
• Use hands/fingers to handle or feel: More than 5 hours
• Reach with hands and arms: More than 5 hours
• Ascend/Descend (stairs/ladder/etc.): Less than 2 hours
• Bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl: None       
• Communicate with various parties: More than 5 hours
• Detect flavors or smells: None       
• Move containers up to 20 pounds: Less than 2 hours
• Visual acuity: More than 5 hours
• Read and understand written word: More than 5 hours
• Drive/Travel: 2 to 5 hours
• Operate computer and general office machines: More than 5 hours
• Operate machines or material handling equipment: None      

Average Daily Environmental Conditions:

• Office Environment: No exposure to extreme heat, cold, noise, chemicals or hazardous equipment. : More than 5 hours
• Manufacturing Environment: Exposure to dust, oil, various chemicals, solvents, or fumes. : None
• Medical Environment: Exposure to body fluids, radiation, medical equipment, solvents or chemicals. : None
• Noise: Exposure to constant or intermittent extreme sounds. : Less than 2 hours
• Temperature: Exposure to extreme heat or cold either indoors or outside. : None
• Other: None

This job description does not list all duties of the job. Employees may be asked by management to perform other duties as needed. The Company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment and does not infringe upon the Company’s at will employment status.