At Awana, we believe true change happens in the communities when children and youth are transformed by the gospel and engaged in Biblical discipleship in the presence of a caring adult. We believe that kids can come to know, love and serve Jesus, following Him for a lifetime. This is why, for 70+ years, Awana has been working with leaders in local churches in the US and around the world, providing solutions that equip these women and men to make disciples in children and youth.
Today, God is using Awana to reach over 6.4 million kids in 135 countries around the world. With over 500,000 equipped leaders in 78,000 clubs/churches, Awana is able to play a vital role in global evangelism and discipleship of children and youth. If you are passionate about being integral to reaching kids with the gospel, join us, and become a part of our global cause.
Summary
This position works to advance the ministry of Awana by fostering relationships with a large quantity of donors to help further the mission of Awana. Collaborating with the Development Team, this position’s primary focus is to deepen relationships and further donations among assigned mid-level donors. The ideal candidate for this role is comfortable managing a multitude of relationships, fostering genuine connections with donors, and communicates well both over the phone and email.
This position is primarily remote with occasional travel required based on strategic organizational meetings. Primary travel locations would be our offices in St. Charles, IL or Nashville, TN.
Hiring Range for this position is: $68,000 - $75,000
Responsibilities
- Donor Relationship Management: Develop and maintain personal relationships with a portfolio of anywhere between 400 and 600 donors. Engage, steward, and nurture these relationships to deepen their commitment to Awana, the Child Discipleship Fund, and areas of personal interest.
- Donor Engagement: Implement engagement plans for the assigned portfolio, including quarterly strategic conversations, touchpoints, and asks.
- Lift Strategy: Identify assigned donors who can give at greater capacities, then engage the Major Gifts team to help facilitate larger asks and relationships transitions.
- Child Discipleship Fund Promotion: Prioritize driving support for the Child Discipleship Fund, articulating its importance and impact effectively to encourage significant contributions.
- Donor Research: Conduct research on assigned donors as well as prospects to identify potential interests, demographic data, and affinity for the ministry.
- Database Documentation: Keep detailed records of donor information, interests, giving and engagement history, topics of conversation, etc. within Salesforce.
- Impact Reporting: Regularly report to donors on the outcomes and success stories resulting from their gifts, reinforcing the value and impact of their investment in child discipleship.
- Training and Development: Stay abreast of best practices in fundraising and child discipleship trends, continuously enhancing your skills and knowledge.
- Support, uphold and demonstrate the Awana cultural values in internal and external communications and relationships.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Minimum 1 to 3 years of related experience fundraising, preferably in a nonprofit or ministry setting.
- Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) desired with a concentration in Business, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or similar from an accredited college or university.
- Intermediate Microsoft Office and Google Suite skills, preferred.
- Proficiency in donor database management and fundraising software; Salesforce experience a plus.
- Ability to travel as needed to meet with donors and attend relevant events.
- General understanding of the Bible and the Christian Church in its various expressions preferred.
- Working knowledge of children’s inspirational or ministry space including demonstrated program/product familiarity preferred.
- Familiarity with the US Church landscape and/or global nonprofits preferred.
Competencies
- Demonstrated success in managing and nurturing relationships, with a strong track record of securing financial gifts.
- Excellent interpersonal and persuasive communication skills.
- Deep commitment to the mission of Awana and a passion for child discipleship.
- Passionate to see ministry growth and can participate independently and/or as part of a team towards annual goals.
- Strong technology and data systems aptitude.
- Proven ability to align with strategic goals, manage competing priorities, balance ministry and business needs, and deliver timely results.
- Must be resourceful, creative, detail-oriented, thorough, and able to navigate complex processes while caring for donor needs.
- Clear communicator and able to communicate technical issues to non-technical individuals.
- Critical thinker and can trouble-shoot projects and processes as work and solutions evolve.
- Values quality, accuracy, and collaboration; committed to excellence and follow-through.
- Demonstrates high EQ & AQ (Emotional & Adaptability Quotient/Intelligence), including proven relationship-building, collaboration, active listening, and ability to pivot with organizational change.
- Able to engage in and advocate for excellent donor/partner experiences.
- Analytical with proactive problem solving skills.
- Disciplined, accountable, and a life-long learner.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate. The employee is also required to regularly utilize computer equipment (e.g., screens and keyboards) to perform work. The employee is occasionally required to move about the work environment. Specific vision abilities required by this job included close vision. Occasional local and out-of-town, overnight travel may be required.
Our Benefits for Full Time Team members:
- WFH/Hybrid
- Flexible work schedule
- Medical/Dental/Vision (BCBS PPO)
- HSA (employer contribution available)
- 401(k) with employer match
- Short/Long-term Disability
- Life Insurance
- Generous PTO benefit
- Paid Parental Leave
- Great people - great culture – extraordinary mission!
This Job Description reflects the current assignment of essential functions and is not meant to be all-inclusive. Responsibilities may be assigned or reassigned to this job at any time based on the needs of the organization and may be modified to reasonably accommodate an individual with a disability or for other reasons.
