Manager of Development & Donor Stewardship

Job Title: Manager, Development & Donor Stewardship Location: On-Site in Arlington, TX Department: Development FLSA: Exempt Reports To: Director of Major Gifts Status: Full-Time Job Summary: The Manager, Development & Donor Stewardship is responsible for supporting the Foundation’s fundraising efforts while leading donor stewardship, relationship management, and the execution of the Foundation’s annual fundraising event at the National Medal of Honor Museum.

This role focuses on cultivating meaningful donor relationships, delivering a high level of service and engagement, and ensuring donors and partners have a positive and lasting connection to the Foundation’s mission. Working closely with the Director of Major Gifts, executive leadership, and other Foundation departments, the Manager will coordinate donor engagement activities, manage stewardship initiatives, support fundraising and partnership opportunities, and serve as the primary on-site contact for donor requests and visits.

This role plays an important part in strengthening donor relationships, supporting fundraising objectives, and ensuring the Foundation delivers thoughtful, professional, and mission-focused donor experiences. Primary Duties/Responsibilities: Lead the Foundation’s donor stewardship and relations efforts, developing and executing strategies to recognize, engage, and retain donors and partners.

Serve as a primary on-site point of contact for donor inquiries, requests, visits, and engagement opportunities, ensuring timely and professional follow-through. Build and maintain strong relationships with current donors, corporate partners, sponsors, and other key stakeholders to support continued engagement and philanthropic support.

Coordinate donor communications, acknowledgments, recognition, and stewardship activities to ensure timely, personalized, and meaningful engagement. Develop and maintain donor stewardship plans, including impact updates, recognition opportunities, donor experiences, and ongoing relationship touchpoints. Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of the Foundation’s annual fundraising event at the Museum, including event strategy, timelines, budgets, logistics, vendors, sponsorship fulfillment, guest experience, and post-event follow-up.

Collaborate with the Director of Major Gifts to support donor cultivation and solicitation strategies, including prospect research, meeting preparation, proposal coordination, and follow-up with prospective and current donors. Support the development and execution of annual fundraising initiatives, campaigns, sponsorship opportunities, and other revenue-generating activities.

Manage assigned donor and partner relationships, identifying opportunities for deeper engagement, increased philanthropic support, and long-term relationship growth. Coordinate donor visits and experiences at the Museum, working cross-functionally with relevant departments to deliver a welcoming, seamless, and mission-aligned experience.

Partner with the Director of Major Gifts and executive leadership to ensure donor engagement activities align with fundraising priorities and organizational objectives. Coordinate the fulfillment of sponsorship and partnership benefits, ensuring commitments are delivered accurately and in a timely manner. Maintain accurate and current donor records, contact reports, engagement activity, and stewardship information within the Foundation’s CRM.

Assist with grant, sponsorship, and fundraising materials, donor correspondence, reports, and other development-related communications as needed. Collaborate cross-functionally with Marketing, Education, Museum Operations, Finance, and other departments to support donor engagement, events, and fundraising initiatives.

Identify opportunities to improve donor experiences, stewardship processes, and engagement practices to strengthen donor retention and long-term support. Maintain strict confidentiality and discretion & follow policies related to donors, volunteers, and personnel. Other projects and duties as assigned. Required Skills/Abilities: Excellent and effective verbal and written communication skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with donors, partners, volunteers, and internal stakeholders. Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to balance multiple projects, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines. Experience coordinating events, managing logistics, and delivering a high-quality guest or donor experience.

Excellent attention to detail with the ability to manage donor information, correspondence, event details, and follow-up activities accurately. Proficient in Microsoft Office products, CRM databases, event management software, and other relevant technology platforms. Ability to work collaboratively across departments while taking initiative and managing assigned responsibilities independently.

Ability to work with high levels of ambiguity and adjust to change, work pressures, or difficult situations. High level of professionalism, discretion, and responsiveness when engaging with donors, board members, partners, and other stakeholders. Ability to work evenings, weekends, and outside of regular business hours as needed for donor engagement and Foundation events.

This position may require support with designated Foundation events, evenings, weekends, or outside of regular business hours. Business travel should also be expected, up to 5-15% Education and Experience: Possesses 3–5 years of experience in development, donor relations, fundraising, event management, sponsorship, hospitality, or relationship management.

Experience cultivating and maintaining relationships with donors, corporate partners, sponsors, or other external stakeholders. Experience coordinating events, meetings, or donor engagement activities from planning through execution. Experience supporting fundraising initiatives, donor stewardship, sponsorship fulfillment, or other development activities.

Bachelor’s degree in business, nonprofit management, communications, marketing, hospitality, event management, or another related field preferred (not required) Experience using CRM databases to maintain accurate records and track relationship activity preferred. Experience exercising discretion and confidentiality. Pay and Benefits Competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid vacation, and 401k plan.

The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Foundation’s leadership is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and access to facilities and programs.