Donor Events & Stewardship Manager

Department: Donor Events and Stewardship Manager

Reports to: Development 

Status: Full Time / Exempt

Location: Remote; must reside and be authorized to work in the United States

About PolicyLink

PolicyLink is a research and action institute working to advance a nation that truly governs for all. We advance structural solutions, shape conditions, build connections, and strengthen the field infrastructure needed to deliver on the promise of a nation where all can thrive. We are relentlessly focused on delivering results at a scale that matches the challenges — and the potential — of this country.

To achieve this vision, we concentrate our efforts in five key arenas that shape how the nation governs and delivers for its people:

• The legal and regulatory systems that shape our democracy and economy, including amending and advancing the U.S. Constitution

• Federal agencies, which are the engines of public policy and implementation that must deliver results

• State and local governments that deliver the benefits of citizenship to our everyday lives in the cities and states where we live

• We the People, whose collective consciousness and action must be activated toward everyone’s thriving

• The institutional leaders, decision makers, and capital allocators who hold disproportionate influence over how the nation governs

Across these arenas, we are working to awaken a shared consciousness that embraces the humanity of every person; to shape government to deliver results for all; and to align the full force of our public, private, and civic resources to realize this future.

Position Overview 

PolicyLink is seeking a Donor Events and Stewardship Manager to create a consistent, high-quality experience for donors across its fundraising portfolios. 

The Manager establishes stewardship standards, coordinates recognition and reporting touchpoints, and gathers donor feedback to improve how PolicyLink thanks, informs, and engages its supporters. The Manager also produces cultivation events and Development-led convenings that deepen relationships and lead to renewed and increased giving. 

The role joins a growing Development team of seven people, working across institutional, individual, and corporate giving. 

Responsibilities

Stewardship strategy and standards

• Develop and maintain stewardship standards by donor segment, gift level, restriction, and stage of relationship.

• Build annual stewardship plans and calendars in partnership with institutional, corporate, and individual portfolio owners.

• Coordinate acknowledgments, recognition, impact updates, renewal touchpoints, and donor preferences.

• Ensure commitments made to donors are visible, assigned, and delivered on time.

Donor cultivation events

• Plan and produce donor salons, briefings, dinners, roundtables, and other cultivation or stewardship experiences tied to clear relationship objectives.

• Manage event briefs, budgets, timelines, vendors, invitations, registration, guest experience, run of show, and post-event follow-up.

• Ensure each event has a clear audience, relationship assignments, executive preparation, and documented next steps.

• Apply consistent standards for accessibility, hospitality, confidentiality, and donor experience.

Recognition reporting and communications

• Partner with the Director of Development Communications and Programs to produce timely stewardship updates and impact materials.

• Manage recognition levels, listings, preferences, confidential recognition, and other donor-facing benefits in accordance with policy.

• Support donor reporting on partner-distributed funds using evidence supplied by Programs, Impact, and Finance.

• Coordinate with portfolio owners so stewardship remains tailored to the relationship.

Systems feedback and learning

• Track stewardship commitments, event participation, donor preferences, and follow-up in Salesforce.

• Collect structured donor feedback and identify patterns that should improve engagement, communications, or program design.

• Create templates, playbooks, and service standards that portfolio managers can use consistently.

• Partner with Development Operations to monitor retention, event conversion, and stewardship performance.

Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge Required 

• Strong project and event management skills, with careful attention to hospitality, accessibility, confidentiality, and donor experience.

• Excellent written communication, judgment, organization, and follow-through.

• Ability to coordinate donors, executives, fundraisers, program leaders, vendors, and external partners.

• Ability to balance consistent stewardship standards with the need for tailored donor engagement.

• Comfort using Salesforce or a comparable CRM to manage calendars, preferences, commitments, participation, and next steps.

• Commitment to racial and economic equity and the mission of PolicyLink.

Experience Qualifications                     

• A minimum of 5-7 years of relevant experience in donor relations, stewardship, fundraising events, advancement services, or a related field.

• Demonstrated experience producing high-touch donor events and coordinating recognition or stewardship programs.

• Experience supporting major gifts, institutional partnerships, corporate partnerships, or a campaign is preferred.

• Experience in a national nonprofit or complex, matrixed organization is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

PolicyLink offers competitive salaries commensurate with the experience and skills of our employees. The starting salary range for this position is $120,000–$140,000. 

Additionally, PolicyLink provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision plans.

• 401(k) with employer and employer-matching contributions. 

• Flexible spending account.

• Short- and long-term disability insurance.

• Group term life insurance plus voluntary life insurance.

• Unlimited vacation and sick leave and other generous leave benefits.

• Two required organization reset weeks, a paid week off between Christmas and New Year’s Day, plus 13 paid holidays.

Work Environment

The position will involve leading and participating in frequent remote video and telephone conferences. It is a 100% remote position, though travel will be required.

To Apply

We accept online applications only. Please note that the application includes two required written prompts. Candidates should provide thoughtful and complete responses to the prompts; incomplete answers will not be considered.

Only those selected to participate in our hiring process will be contacted.

No emails or phone calls, please. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

PolicyLink strongly values equity and believes in a just and fair society where all can participate, prosper, and reach their full potential. We work toward a more inclusive world and, as such, we are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, skin color, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, military status, pregnancy, or parenthood. PolicyLink is committed to maintaining a diverse and multicultural working environment.

Candidates selected for hire must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

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