Donor Relations Specialist in Nashville, Tennessee at Adventure Science Center

Position Title: Donor Relations Specialist

FLSA Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Pay Rate: $60,000 annually

Adventure Science Center’s mission is to ignite curiosity, empower exploration, and cultivate deeper connections to the world of science.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Donor Relations Specialist helps strengthen Adventure Science Center's culture of philanthropy through annual giving, donor engagement, membership, and strategic fundraising initiatives.

This position manages a portfolio of annual donors and prospects who give up to $2,500, developing meaningful relationships and implementing personalized strategies to cultivate, solicit, retain, and upgrade donors. As a donor-facing representative of ASC, the Donor Relations Specialist regularly conducts in-person and virtual donor meetings and is expected to demonstrate professionalism, discretion, and responsiveness in every interaction.

The Donor Relations Specialist also coordinates annual fund campaigns, manages ASC's membership program, and creates engaging stewardship experiences that inspire continued investment in ASC’s mission.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Annual Giving & Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of annual donors and qualified prospects giving up to $2,500 annually, through personalized cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and renewal strategies
• Develop and execute individualized engagement plans designed to acquire new donors, retain current supporters, and increase annual giving
• Build donor relationships through in-person visits, phone calls, virtual meetings, written correspondence, and other personalized outreach
• Collaborate with the Director of Development to identify donors ready to transition into higher giving levels
• Monitor donor retention, renewal, and upgrade metrics and recommend strategies to improve performance
• Along with the Development team, coordinate annual fund appeals, such as Giving Tuesday, year-end, and other fund appeals
• Lead and implement donor stewardship, fundraising, and membership engagement events
• Assist with campaign strategy, segmentation, messaging, and execution

Membership Program Management

• Oversee membership campaigns, including new member acquisition, online membership processing, monthly renewals, lapsed-member outreach, community campaigns, and prospect cultivation
• Develop and implement strategies to increase membership, improve retention, and strengthen member engagement
• Collaborate with the Director of Development (DOD), to strengthen relationships with current members and create pathways for members to become donors
• Oversee the creation and administration of membership benefits and premiums, evaluating their appeal to members, cost to the organization, and overall effectiveness
• Identify creative opportunities to recognize, engage, and provide added value to ASC members
• Manage and maintain membership-related content on ASC website
• Provide exceptional customer service to current and prospective museum members and donors, responding to inquiries by phone, mail, and email
• Analyze membership and donor data, and maintain accurate and up-to-date reports, records, filing, and information management

Development Operations & Team Support

• Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, and next steps in Altru
• Generate donor reports and portfolio analytics to support fundraising strategy and decision-making
• Support department-wide fundraising initiatives and special projects as assigned
• Willingness and ability to work some evenings and weekends as required

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND TRAITS

• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Demonstrated meticulous attention to detail, with experience reviewing work for accuracy and consistency, catching errors before they reach the CAO or DOD
• Welcomes feedback from colleagues and leadership, using it to continuously improve processes
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including editing and proofreading abilities
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with donors, volunteers, colleagues, and community partners
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Proactive and self-directed, with the ability to work independently while thriving in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, or the demonstrated ability to and willingness to develop the necessary proficiency
• Enthusiasm and appreciation for the value of museums, informal science education, and the vital role of philanthropy in supporting non-profit organizations
• Professional, dependable, and service-oriented conduct

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in a related field is required
• Experience: 2-4 years of experience in fundraising, database administration, non-profit operations, business, marketing, or project coordination is preferred
• Donor database or similar CRM software knowledge is required. Blackbaud/Altru knowledge is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including superior composition, typing, and proofreading skills
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends in support of fundraising events and other organizational activities

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts requiring normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations.
• Typically, walking, standing, bending, and carrying light items (up to 20 pounds unassisted), and 50lbs assisted are required. At times, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. Also, the employee must have manual dexterity, visual, and auditory acuity.
• Some repetitive motion is involved.

BENEFITS AND PERKS

• Free onsite parking
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Employer paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Vacation Time, Sick Time and Personal Days, plus 11 paid holidays a year
• 401(k) with Employer Match
• Complimentary membership to Adventure Science Center
• Free or discounted admission to local venues including The Nashville Zoo, The Frist Art Museum, Nashville Shores, Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, and more!
• Employee Assistance Program (Free Counseling and Legal Services)
• Eligibility for Public Student Loan Forgiveness

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

No phone calls, please. Due to the volume of applications, we will only contact candidates selected for interviews.

Adventure Science Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This is intended to be a description of the general nature and level of work to be performed. This position profile should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel in this position. These responsibilities and duties are subject to change at any time based on organizational needs.