Reports to: Vice President of Advancement
Job Status: Full-Time Classification: Exempt / Salaried
Salary Range: $70,000-$80,000
Application Deadline: January 23, 2026
Starting: February 2026
Location: Washington, DC
Schedule: Hybrid; 2 in-office days and 3 remote days. Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm. Some special events will occur outside of regular work hours.
About Generation Hope:
Generation Hope is a nonprofit organization committed to ensuring all student parents have the opportunity to succeed and achieve economic mobility. We drive systemic change by partnering with education and policy leaders while offering direct, two-generation support to teen parents in college and their children. To date, we’ve provided over $1.5 million in tuition assistance, supported more than 500 teen parents in college, celebrated more than 240 degrees earned through our program, and partnered with over 30 two- and four-year institutions nationwide. Our team culture is rooted in excellence, respect, and inclusion. Named "one of the best nonprofits" by Spur Local, we embrace diversity in all its forms—background, thought, and experiences. If our mission and culture resonate with you, we invite you to consider joining our team. For more information, visit www.generationhope.org.
Position:
The Donor Stewardship Manager will be responsible for cultivating, asking, and stewarding existing donors and building relationships with prospective donors as a member of Generation Hope’s growing Advancement team. While the Donor Stewardship Manager will play a role in the success of all of Generation Hope’s fundraising efforts, this person will focus primarily on individual donor relationships. They will play a vital role in ensuring that individual donors at every level feel welcomed, informed, and engaged with Generation Hope, remain in consistent contact with the organization's work, and receive appropriate appreciation for their support. In addition to executing specific projects and ongoing tasks, the Donor Stewardship Manager will be encouraged to identify new strategies for donor relationship building, including opportunities to introduce Generation Hope’s work to new audiences and growing their giving over time.
Responsibilities:
Major Donor Strategy and Personalization
● Customized Stewardship: Design and manage personalized stewardship plans and engagement pathways for top-tier donors, and prospects , including timely acknowledgment, impact reporting, and recognition.
● Major Donor Circle Management: In partnership with the Vice President of Advancement, strategically plan and execute the management of the organization's top-tier giving society (Circle of Hope), including membership fulfillment, exclusive communications, benefits tracking, and coordination of unique engagement opportunities for this elite group.
● Impact Reporting: Oversee the creation and delivery of compelling, personalized impact reports and updates that clearly articulate how donor funds are used to support our two-generation model
● Acknowledgment and Gift Processing: Ensure a prompt, accurate, and consistent gift acknowledgment process (receipts, thank you letters/calls) that reflects the donor's relationship level and preference.
● Executive Support: Draft and manage personalized correspondence, briefing materials, and presentations for the CEO, Board Members, and frontline fundraisers to support their donor outreach and cultivation efforts.
Relationship Management & Strategy: Nurture positive, lasting relationships with donors beyond the initial gift
● Develop a Stewardship Plan: Create and implement a comprehensive strategy, often outlined in a stewardship matrix, that defines specific, tiered activities for different donor segments (e.g., first-time, mid-level, major, planned-giving).
● Donor Segmentation & Personalization: Categorize donors based on giving level, interests, and history to ensure all communications and engagement activities are timely, personalized, and meaningful.
● Cultivation Support: Partner with frontline fundraisers and leadership to design and coordinate meaningful engagement opportunities like site visits, small gatherings, or one-on-one meetings.
● Event Planning: In partnership with the Advancement team, develop and execute donor-centric events (appreciation dinners, recognition ceremonies, project tours) to foster community and show gratitude.
Acknowledgment & Recognition: Ensure every donor feels promptly and sincerely appreciated.
● Timely Acknowledgment: Oversee the process to ensure all gifts are acknowledged promptly (ideally within 72 hours) with an expression of sincere gratitude and a formal tax receipt.
● Tiered Recognition: Establish and manage a system for recognizing donors based on their giving level and preference, which can include public recognition (donor walls, annual reports) or private recognition (personalized notes, calls from leadership).
● Recognition Administration: Manage donor recognition opportunities, such as naming opportunities for major gifts, ensuring execution (like signage) meets donor satisfaction and organizational standards.
Impact Reporting & Communication: Connect the donor gifts directly to the mission's outcomes to build trust and demonstrate accountability.
● Regular Impact Reports: In partnership with the Communications team, deliver customized, compelling reports (annual reports, newsletters, personalized letters) that clearly demonstrate the tangible impact of their contribution.
● Content Creation: Draft and proofread high-quality stewardship materials, including personalized correspondence, appeal follow-ups, and program updates.
● Fiduciary Responsibility: Track and report on how funds are used to honor donor intent and ensure the organization is meeting the specific conditions of restricted gifts.
● Ongoing Engagement: Maintain regular, non-solicitation-focused communication to keep donors informed and connected to the organization's mission throughout the year.
Operations, Tracking, & Analysis:
● Database Management: Utilize the organization’s CRM (Little Green Light) to accurately track all donor interactions, preferences, giving history, and stewardship activities.
● Process Efficiency: Establish streamlined, clear processes and procedures for gift acknowledgment, reporting, and event execution to ensure consistency and efficiency across the team.
● Evaluation & Improvement: Track budget performance and key performance indicators (like donor retention rate and gift upgrade rate) and collect donor feedback (surveys) to evaluate the stewardship program's effectiveness and implement data-driven improvements.
Other:
● Support Generation Hope fundraising and cultivation events, serving as a contact point for donors in attendance ● Represent Generation Hope at relevant events and convenings, such as community events, conferences, roundtables, etc., as appropriate
● Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies
● Other duties as assigned
Other duties:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. They may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR A HARDWORKING, INNOVATIVE, COLLABORATIVE INDIVIDUAL WHO THRIVES IN A FAST-PACED ENVIRONMENT. THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE THESE QUALITIES/QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications and Skills
● Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to Generation Hope’s mission and the ability to connect people to our work through authentic storytelling and relationship building
● Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
● 3+ years of fundraising experience and a proven track record of closing gifts of $5,000+
● Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; you are articulate and persuasive
● Well-honed relationship-building skills and the ability to connect with all types of people
● Drive and sophistication; you are excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of the department and the organization as a whole
● A team-oriented mentality, enthusiastic work ethic, and openness to continually improve
● Highly developed interpersonal skills
● Systems thinker - excited to think about how we can streamline and improve fundraising processes and systems
● Can “zoom out” - ability to see the big picture, make connections, and spot trends
● Tactful - Ability to express opinions confidently and with respect for others, and ability to exercise discretion with personal or sensitive information
● Personal and professional commitment to understanding and dismantling systemic and institutional racism
Highly Preferred Qualifications and Skills
● Experience with databases/CRMs
● Donor network familiarity in Washington, DC, New Orleans, LA, and/or Dallas, TX
Physical Demands
● Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
● Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.
Work Environment
Normal office environment. Some work will take place off-site during special events.
Travel
This position requires national, overnight travel approximately 10% of the time for activities such as meetings and events in and out of the DC Metro area.
● Must be able to travel (via plane, train, or car).
Candidates must be able to meet the onsite work schedule by the start date.
Benefits
Generation Hope provides full benefits, including 403(b), health, dental, and paid time off. More information on benefits can be found at generationhope.org/careers. To apply, please complete the online application.
EEO Statement
Generation Hope is an equal opportunity employer. Generation Hope will not discriminate on any basis prohibited by law, including marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, matriculation, political affiliation, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, breastfeeding, or reproductive health decisions), age, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, and disability.