Director of Donor Relations

The Director of Donor Relations designs, implements, and directs an integrated and comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program that promotes meaningful interaction, connection, and recognition for donors at all levels. In this role, you will develop and lead a multi-year plan to strengthen donor engagement, communicate the impact of philanthropy, and advance institutional priorities, including personalized strategies for the College’s most generous donors.

We are looking for an innovative, forward-thinking professional with demonstrated success in donor engagement and stewardship, someone who will lead a talented, collaborative team and help build an engaged culture of philanthropy across campus. You will have the opportunity to express gratitude, share the impact of generosity, and build lasting relationships with the donors who make Grinnell’s mission possible.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Alumni and Donor Relations, you will work closely with the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, other DAR assistant vice presidents, gift officers, the President’s Office, the Dean’s Office, and academic and administrative department leaders, as appropriate.

If you are passionate about celebrating generosity and advancing the mission of a distinctive liberal arts college, we would love to meet you.

Key Responsibilities

Donor Relations and Philanthropic Gift Stewardship

Oversee donor relations and stewardship of philanthropic gifts to strengthen donor retention, engagement, and long-term philanthropic investment, including personalized strategies for the College’s most generous donors.

Develop a thorough understanding of the Grinnell College donor community to design, implement, and manage strategic donor plans that include gift stewardship, personalized communication, and impact reporting.

Collaborate with gift officers, DAR leadership, and the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations to deliver programming that communicates gratitude and impact through both broad outreach and individual engagement.

Serve as a liaison to donor groups (Asa Turner Society and Founders’, Tower, Dean’s, and President’s Circle societies) to coordinate specialized communications and stewardship efforts.

Oversee the annual Fund Reporting Program so donors of designated and endowed funds receive accurate information about fund finances and relevant recipient information, coordinating with gift officers on donor and recipient gatherings.

Oversee donor recognition programs, including named spaces, giving communities and societies, and recognition events, ensuring consistency and adherence to established guidelines.

Stewardship Program Management

Collaborate with DAR colleagues to create and manage policies, standards, templates, processes, and protocols for donor acknowledgments, gift stewardship, stewardship reporting, and fund reporting.

Develop content and oversee regular and annual gift acknowledgment processes with the DAR Operations team, including acknowledgments from senior College leaders.

Partner with academic and administrative departments to establish consistent donor relations and stewardship practices across campus and build an engaged culture of philanthropy.

Address donor questions and concerns regarding fund administration, beneficiaries, gift acknowledgments, and reporting requirements.

Monitor program effectiveness, reporting timelines, and donor feedback to identify opportunities for improvement and maintain accurate, timely stewardship communications.

Staff Management and Additional Duties

Manage staffing, workflow, performance, and professional development for the donor relations team, establishing annual work plans, priorities, and standards and monitoring progress toward goals.

Support Reunion and other campus and regional events as a member of the DAR team.

Participate in campus, volunteer, and office committees as needed, and perform other related duties as assigned.

ABOUT GRINNELL COLLEGE

Grinnell College is a top-ranking private liberal arts institution that values diversity, equity, inclusion, intellectual freedom, and social responsibility. We seek candidates that align with these values and have the ability and desire to advance our values and belonging within our community and the communities we engage. Ideal candidates will be prepared to collaborate and contribute to the mission and values of the college across all constituencies.