Organization: Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic
Position: Leadership Giving Manager
Employment Status: Exempt
Location: Hybrid / Bethesda Office (2 days - Tuesday / Wednesday from Memorial Day to Labor Day; Tuesday / Thursday from Labor Day to Memorial Day)
Reports to: Director of Development
Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has been creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses around the world. Wishes have proven physical and emotional benefits that can give children with critical illnesses a higher chance of survival. When a wish is granted, a child replaces fear with confidence, sadness with joy and anxiety with hope. Every eligible child needs a wish to count on! The Mid-Atlantic Chapter serves children in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and northern Virginia. We are fueled and guided by our values - values that are represented in the inspired people we work with and the transformational work we do every day. To learn more about us, please visit: https://midatlantic.wish.org.
About the Role
The Leadership Giving Manager oversees the chapter's relationships with donors contributing between $2,500 and $10,000 annually and leads strategies designed to deepen engagement, increase retention, and grow revenue within the leadership and mid-level giving pipeline. This position manages a portfolio of approximately 330 supporters generating an estimated $350,000 annually through one-time and recurring gifts.
Reporting to the Director of Development, the Leadership Giving Manager is responsible for donor qualification, stewardship, segmented annual fund campaigns, leadership council management, and donor reactivation strategies. This role works collaboratively across Development and Communications to create seamless donor experiences that strengthen loyalty, upgrade giving, and expand long-term philanthropic support for Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic.
Leadership Giving & Portfolio Management
- Manage a portfolio of approximately 330 leadership and mid-level donors contributing between $2,500 and $10,000 annually
- Oversee cultivation, stewardship, solicitation, and renewal strategies for all donors within the assigned giving range
- Manage all one-time and recurring donors within the portfolio
- Develop and execute strategies to increase donor retention, upgrades, and long-term engagement
- Build donor affinity groups and/or giving circles to deepen mission connection and community engagement
- Develop recurring giving strategies targeted toward leadership and mid-level donors.
Donor Engagement
- Oversee all donor welcoming and qualification outreach
- Manage acknowledgement letters for donors contributing between $2,500 and $10,000 annually
- Partner with Communications to ensure donor journey messaging, solicitations, campaigns, and stewardship communications are integrated and seamless
- Utilize technology platforms, videos, donor portals, and digital engagement tools to maximize donor participation and giving
Leadership Councils & Volunteer Engagement
- Manage all three Leadership Councils
- Coordinate and manage all Leadership Council-related meetings and events, including a minimum of three annual engagement events
- Support volunteer leadership engagement and ongoing council communication strategies
Annual Fund & Revenue Growth Strategy
- Oversee segmented annual fund campaigns focused on leadership and mid-level donors
- Lead LYBUNT/SYBUNT reactivation strategies utilizing frontline fundraising tactics and personalized donor outreach
- Develop event-to-donor conversion strategies designed to increase donor acquisition and retention following chapter events
- Analyze donor behavior, giving trends, and upgrade opportunities to guide fundraising strategy and optimize outcomes
- Track key performance indicators (KPIs), revenue forecasting, and portfolio performance metrics
Planning & Collaboration
- Create and execute annual strategic plans for all assigned areas of responsibility
- Work closely with Development, Events, and Communications teams to ensure alignment across fundraising initiatives
- Ensure all revenue and engagement targets for leadership giving are achieved or exceeded
Expected Outcomes
- Increased donor retention and upgrade rates within the $2,500 and $10,000 giving segment
- Growth in recurring donor participation and leadership giving revenue
- Increased conversion of event attendees into year-round supporters
- Stronger donor engagement through personalized stewardship and affinity-based strategies
- Successful management activation of Leadership Councils as ambassadors and philanthropic partners
- Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
- Experience: Three - Five (3-5) years of front-line fundraising, annual giving, or nonprofit development experience.
- Computer/System Skills: Experience using CRM systems and donor engagement technology platforms, preferably Salesforce
- Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: None.
- Other Requirements:
- Demonstrated success managing donor portfolios and achieving revenue goals
- Experience with annual giving strategy and donor engagement compaigns
- Strong analytical and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with volunteer leadership
- Competitive salary
- Comprehensive benefits package including healthcare, dental, vision insurance; life/disability insurance; 403b company match; paid vacation and holidays
To apply, submit your cover letter and resume to: slucas@midatlantic.wish.org.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to a diverse workforce. We value all employees' talents and support an environment that is inclusive and respectful.