Fund Development Manager

The Fund Development Manager is responsible for driving the health and performance of Lift Orlando’s individual donor pipeline, with a primary focus on base- and mid-level donors. This role translates fundraising priorities into disciplined donor engagement, stewardship, and solicitation activity that improves retention, increases lifetime value, and advances donors through the pipeline. The position serves as a key executor within the development function, ensuring consistent follow-through, clear next steps, and reliable donor experience across individual giving efforts.

Essential Job Requirements

• Own the day-to-day management and performance of the base- and mid-level individual donor pipeline, with accountability for retention, upgrades, and sustained giving.
• Execute intentional donor engagement, stewardship, and solicitation activities, including making direct asks, that move donors forward through the pipeline.
• Identify and qualify donors for progression within the individual giving pipeline, including readiness for higher levels of engagement or giving.
• Secure individual gifts through timely solicitation, follow-up, and stewardship in alignment with annual fundraising priorities.
• Contribute to annual individual giving goals through measurable improvements in donor retention, upgrades, and pipeline movement.
• Maintain clear moves management practices by documenting donor interactions, next steps, and outcomes in the donor database.
• Analyze donor engagement and giving patterns to inform outreach strategies, prioritize effort, and improve retention and conversion.
• Ensure donors receive timely, meaningful stewardship and impact communication that reinforces trust and long-term commitment.
• Support donor-facing activities such as tours, cultivation opportunities, and events as tools for relationship-building and pipeline movement.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Development, Executive Leadership, and board members by supporting donor follow-up, coordination, and stewardship activities.
• Contribute to the preparation of donor materials, summaries, and reports that support effective engagement and decision-making.
• Ensure donor records, communications, and reporting are accurate, current, and aligned with ethical fundraising standards.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, public administration, business, or related field preferred.

Experience

• 4–6 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising or development.
• Demonstrated experience managing individual donor relationships and executing donor engagement strategies.
• Experience working within a portfolio-based or pipeline-driven fundraising model preferred.

License/Certification

• None required.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Clear, confident, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage a donor portfolio with discipline and follow-through.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Comfort using CRM systems and donor data to guide outreach and decision-making.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating across teams.
• Sound judgment and discretion in donor interactions.

Demonstrated Knowledge

• Individual donor lifecycle and pipeline management
• Donor stewardship and engagement best practices
• Ethical fundraising standards
• Data tracking, documentation, and basic fundraising analytics

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.

Additional Requirements

• On-site and/or hybrid availability as required.
• Occasional evening or weekend work to support donor meetings or events.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of donor information.

This job description outlines the position's essential functions and core duties, including the minimum requirements, skills, and abilities necessary for successful performance.