Development Manager (Assistant Director of Philanthropy)

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of Philanthropy plays a critical role in advancing Joybound’s financial sustainability by supporting and strengthening the organization’s mid-level donor program. This position is responsible for managing a portfolio of donors while also contributing to the execution and continuous improvement of a structured donor journey that increases retention, upgrades, and long-term engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Culture
• Interact and communicate with colleagues, volunteers, and the public in a manner that advances a culture of positivity, professionalism, trust, transparency, empathy, and excellence at Joybound.
• Donor Portfolio Management
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of individual donors and prospects with the capacity to give $1,000–$9,999 annually.
• Develop and execute personalized, donor-centered cultivation and solicitation strategies for a portfolio of approximately 200 donors and prospects.
• Maintain consistent, meaningful communication with donors to express gratitude, share impact, position gift solicitations, and strengthen long-term relationships.
• Conduct donor meetings, tours, and engagement experiences that deepen connection to Joybound’s mission and programs.
• Mid-Level Program Operations & Growth
• Collaborate with the Associate Director of Philanthropy to implement and refine Joybound’s mid-level donor journey, segmentation model, and engagement framework.
• Contribute to the development of scalable systems, processes, and best practices that support donor movement, retention, and upgrade strategies across the mid-level program.
• Support the integration of mid-level donors into leadership giving and major gift pathways by building donor readiness and identifying qualified prospects for deeper engagement.
• Collaborate across development functions—including direct marketing, events, and legacy and major gifts—to ensure a coordinated and consistent donor experience.
• Support the execution and stewardship strategy of Joybound’s Annual Giving Societies, including donor recognition, welcome and renewal touchpoints, and tier-based engagement aligned with donor commitment levels.
• Performance, Metrics & Systems
• Achieve or exceed annual performance goals related to donor retention, tier movement, engagement activity, proposal outcomes, gift size, and total revenue.
• Analyze donor data and fundraising metrics to identify trends, opportunities, and areas for continuous improvement within the mid-level program.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and complete documentation of donor interactions, plans, and outcomes in Raiser’s Edge/NXT and related systems.
• Utilize research and wealth screening tools such as iWave and other platforms to inform donor strategy and prospect development.
• Donor Communications & Culture
• Ensure all donor-facing communications—including solicitations, acknowledgments, and stewardship materials—are donor-centered, mission-aligned, and consistent with Joybound’s values and voice.
• Attend, support, and enhance donor experiences at Joybound events and engagement opportunities.
• Promote a positive, humane, and caring attitude toward people and animals, contributing to Joybound’s collaborative and mission-driven culture.
• Maintain the highest level of confidentiality regarding donor, prospect, and internal organizational information.