Development & Donor Relations Associate

About the role

The Development and External Relations (DER) team at The Hormel Institute builds relationships and secures philanthropic support to advance the Institute's research and education mission. The team works closely with donors, community partners, businesses, foundations, government partners, and others who want to support the Institute and its work. The Development & Donor Relations Associate provides professional support for fundraising, donor relations, and stewardship activities. This position helps create a positive and meaningful experience for donors by coordinating communications and recognition, maintaining donor and prospect information, preparing materials, supporting donor meetings and events, and ensuring timely follow-up. The work of this position involves multiple areas of fundraising and donor relations and works closely with other members of the Institute team and with faculty, staff, University partners, donors, and community members. The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position as needed.

Responsibilities

• Donor Relations & Stewardship – 40%
  • Coordinate donor acknowledgment, recognition, and stewardship activities to help provide a positive donor experience from the first gift through continued engagement.
  • Maintain donor and prospect information and track engagement activities, follow-up needs, and relationship-building efforts.
  • Assist with identifying and researching prospective donors, including basic prospect research and wealth screening.
  • Gather information about donor interests