Manager of Contributing Members and Major Gifts

Description

About Denver Botanic Gardens: Green inside and out, Denver Botanic Gardens was founded in 1951 and is considered one of the top botanical gardens in the United States and a pioneer in water conservation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, The Gardens has a robust living plant collection, natural history collection and art collection along with temporary art exhibitions. The Gardens is a dynamic, 24-acre urban oasis in the heart of the city, offering unforgettable opportunities to flourish with unique garden experiences for the whole family – as well as world-class exhibitions, education, and plant conservation research programs. 

For more information, visit us online at www.botanicgardens.org.

Along with the mission of bringing plants to people, our Core Values are a fundamental driver of the Gardens culture. They are:

Sustainability. We are devoted to an institutional, environmental and human sustainability.

Diversity. We champion inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility for all we encounter, and also support programmatic, ecological and plant diversity.

Relevance. We make connections with all people using a lens of inclusion, equity and responsiveness.

Transformation. We believe ever-evolving public gardens change the world and lead to positive transformation of human spirit and knowledge. 

Denver Botanic Gardens is currently seeking a Full Time Manager of Contributing Members and Major Gifts in our Development Department! Read below to see if the requirements might be a good fit for you:

Applications will be accepted through November 15, 2026 or until a candidate is found

Position Summary

This position supports the fundraising efforts of the Development Department through the development and execution of a robust major and planned giving program to include, but not be limited to, the following: donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship encompassing major gifts, contributing memberships, and legacy giving programs. This position manages the donor Customer Relationship Management systems with focus on maximization. This position works collaboratively within department as well as with IT and membership to keep Customer Relationship Management systems at the highest possible level with seamless customer facing applications.

Provides departmental leadership and the request of the Director of Development.

Requirements

General Duties and Responsibilities

Major Gifts – Capital Campaign & Other

• Joint responsibility for fundraising for the Master Development Plan for Chatfield Farms (with DOD).  
• Cultivates, solicits and stewards prospects for select major gifts to programmatic and desired activities across all operational sites.
• Personally solicits, alone or in partnership with volunteers or staff, selected prospects.
• Manages the capital campaign prospect list for assignment to the CEO, Director of Development, the Major Gifts Manager and volunteers from identification, education, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Administers regular communications with all staff and volunteers with campaign responsibilities on prospect management, moves, successes and next steps. 

Contributing Memberships:

• Cultivates, solicits, and stewards individual members with membership levels as assigned.
• Works with other development staff, membership department and capital campaign for all contributing members ($2,500 and above).
• Coordinates fulfillment of contributing membership benefits with the Development team, including concert benefits, ticketed events, the Plant Sale Preview Party, and garden consultations.
• Collaborates with the Annual Giving Manager and colleagues on the membership team to identify members for potential upgrade and to develop strategies to increase their membership levels.

Planned Giving:

• Solicits and documents planned gifts, including bequest intentions, and encourages membership in Perennial Friends.
• Manages Perennial Friends Society communications, stewardship, and engagement efforts

Donor Acknowledgement:

• Trains appropriate staff on batching gifts.
• Approves all gift batches. 
• Manages the process for timely acknowledgement of all gifts, including personal contacts and written acknowledgement.
• Coordinates individual recognition and benefits when appropriate. 

Database Management and Prospect Research

• Coordinates with IT and other database users on migration to cloud-based platforms or new iterations, as required.
• Manages database maximization for use in communications, establishing and analyzing metrics.
• Conducts prospect research, identification, and recording.
• Uses database analysis tools and prospect research techniques to identify prospective new donors.
• Explores new technologies and products that will expand fundraising and stewardship opportunities to support higher functioning/engagement for donor relations.
• Coordinates with IT and all database users on updates, conversions, and projects, including upgrades of products as necessary.
• Maintains a positive, helpful, and solution-oriented demeanor when responding to or serving donors, members, and visitors.
• Regular attendance at the worksite may be required. As with all positions at Denver Botanic Gardens, the incumbent must be in good performance standing to be eligible for remote work. Remote work is at the discretion of management at all times.
• All Gardens employees must be committed to the mission of connecting people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone.

Position Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must have proven excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills in dealing with the public.
• Experience working with donors and prospects for identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Ability to maintain donor confidentiality and ensure accurate donor records, gift documentation, and reporting.
• Ability to maintain stability under pressure and able to deal well with stressful situations.
• Ability to be flexible and willing to modify plans, when necessary, throughout the day.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite products, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook and Teams. 
• Knowledge of CRM platforms (Salesforce) and online giving platform GoFundMePro
• Ability to work overtime as necessary.
• Must be a positive representative of the Gardens both internally and externally at all times.
• Must work with respect and cooperation at all times with fellow employees and the public.
• Must be committed to working safely at all times.

Experience/Education:

• Bachelors degree and/or combination of education and equivalent experience is required. 
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in fundraising and donor management is required.
• Experience in working in and managing CRM platform is required. Salesforce proficiency is a plus.
• A recognized certification in (field/industry), such as CFRE is (a plus).
• Position requires a valid driver’s license.  

Travel:

Up to 30% travel required. Requires the ability to travel to remote locations (or other Garden locations) where environment may vary significantly.  

Denver Botanic Gardens has an incredible benefits package for eligible employees!

Our major benefits include a choice of Medical Plans, a Dental and Vision Plan and Life Insurance Plan. We have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Healthcare Spending Account (HSA).

The Gardens offers a generous Retirement Savings Plan with Company contribution of 6% after one year of service for eligible participants.

The Gardens also offers paid holidays, vacation, sick time, and access to personal lines of insurance. Additional benefits include short-term and long-term disability coverage, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and an RTD ECO pass.

For eligible employees, The Gardens employment also includes a complimentary Denver Botanic Gardens Membership, access to Gardens education classes and summer concert tickets.  

Come work for a place that offers you SO much more than just a paycheck!