Donor Relations Specialist

Advancement Department Job Grade N11; Non-Exempt; Full-time; Monday-Friday
Starting Salary Range: $51,992 – $58,491 DOE + Benefits
(Posted 01.15.16)

The WSBA’s mission is to serve the public and the members of the Bar, ensure the integrity of the legal profession, and to champion justice.

Founded in 1888, the Washington State Bar Association is part of the judicial branch, exercising a governmental function authorized by the Washington State Supreme Court to license the state’s nearly 37,000 lawyers. The WSBA both regulates lawyers under the authority of the Court and serves its members as a professional association, all without public funding. The Washington State Bar Foundation is the fundraising arm of the WSBA; it raises visibility and funds for WSBA’s efforts to advance diversity and public service in the legal profession.

The Donor Relations Specialist supports all aspects of the Foundation’s donor cultivation and stewardship activities, including donor communications, annual campaigns, special events, gift processing and record keeping. The Specialist serves as a liaison to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and collaborates regularly with staff and volunteers of the WSBA programs supported by the Foundation.

To successfully carry out the responsibilities for this position, the Donor Relations Specialist must demonstrate proficiency in a number of areas, including:

Donor Cultivation
Donor Stewardship
Board Support

In the skill areas noted above, The Donor Relations Specialist will perform the following duties:

Implement and evaluate the annual fund; in collaboration with the Communications Department participate in planning the WSBA Annual Awards Dinner Foundation ask(where the Foundation raises funds and presents a “Leadership in Philanthropy Award”); support implementation of the law firm campaign; conduct a periodic review of key WSBA communication tools to identify and support opportunities for increased visibility of the Foundation and the programs it funds; deliver timely and accurate gift acknowledgments, manage the donor database, and provide accurate donor reports and list; lead and manage all aspects of fundraising and grantmaking for a portfolio of small scholarship funds; create and produce donor communications; plan and deliver 2-3 donor engagement events; Coordinate logistics for regular and special meetings of the Board of Trustees and its committees; Coordinate logistics for regular and special meetings of the Board of Trustees and its committees; Produce an annual record and (together with the Chief Development Officer) support the Chief Development Officer in the recruitment, appointment and development of Trustees. There are often other unforeseen duties that arise, and the Donor Relations Specialist will occasionally be asked to work on other assignments.

Education: Qualified candidates will have a college degree or a combination of education, training or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the duties associated with this position. Highly qualified candidates will have a certification, or demonstrated continuing education in fundraising or fundraising management.

Requirements: Minimum three years continuous experience in a paid fundraising position. Demonstrated experience managing volunteers and managing deadlines. Highly qualified candidates will also have successful leadership of a fundraising campaign or event of any size.

Proficiencies: The successful candidate will be: exceptionally organized and possess outstanding written and verbal communications skills, project management skills, and the ability to multitask and prioritize workload. Highly qualified candidates will also have creative design skills and an eye for design.

This position has a high level of contact with WSBA members, Foundation donors, and legal community peers, ranging from a law firm legal assistant to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. This position interacts regularly with staff across the organization and daily with staff within the Advancement Department.

How to apply

For more details and to apply, visit https://home.eease.adp.com/recruit/?id=15056971. Cover letters are required and should be included in the “Notes” section prior to uploading your resume. The WSBA is committed to fostering a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. For assistance with your application or questions, contact hr@wsba.org.