Donor Relations Officer

Company: San Diego Rescue Mission
Location: San Diego
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

Description At the San Diego Rescue Mission, we are driven by a profound belief in compassion, service, and the transformative power of Jesus' love. Our mission goes beyond charity; it is a calling to love our neighbors and provide hope and healing to those experiencing homelessness. We are committed to creating a holistic approach to recovery and rehabilitation, ensuring that our programs serve as safe havens for men, women, and children in need. Mission Statement To lovingly address the needs of men, women and children experiencing homelessness by sharing the Good News of Salvation and providing a holistic approach to rehabilitation and recovery. Position Summary The Donor Relations Officer (DRO) plays a key role in furthering the Mission’s commitment to excellence in service and Christlike compassion. This position supports program objectives, ensures operational integrity, and reflects our values in every interaction with clients, staff, and the public. The (DRO) serves on the Development and Community Engagement Team within the Donor Relations department and is a key leader for increasing the Mission’s presence, impact and financial support in either North, South or East County. The DRO is also responsible for developing organizational relationships with donors and has a goal of enhancing donor engagement and securing major and planned gifts to support the vision and mission of the San Diego Rescue Mission (SDRM). Key Responsibilities · Donor Engagement Manages an assigned portfolio of major and planned giving donors and prospective donors. Develops and executes personalized individual donor cultivation and stewardship plans. Build organizational relationships with donors to enhance donor engagement and secure major and planned gifts to support fundraising goals. Travels as appropriate to visit with donors in support of cultivations and stewardship plans. Identifies, solicits and stewards members of the President’s Council (annual gifts of $10,000 or more). Identifies and shares impact stories for use in verbal or written communication with donors. Host tours of Mission Academy and Lighthouse to current or prospective donors. Engages in regular personalized communications with donors and prospective donors. Develops and demonstrates strong understanding of SDRM approach, programs and expansion plans to facilitate donor understanding of gift impact. May cultivate and solicit gifts for additional initiatives and events as assigned. · Operations Responsible for accurate and timely documentation of all information, strategies, communication, and interaction related to individual donors within CRM database for use in future cultivation activities. Works with Director of Donor Relations and Director of Donor Services to ensure accurate processing of donor gifts and pledges, including timely acknowledgement and recognition. Participates as needed and assigned in the development of resources, collateral materials, presentations and proposals in support of the major gifts, planned gifts, campaigns or other giving initiatives. · Event and Volunteer Engagement Assists the Director of Donor Relations and Director of Events and Donor Engagement in planning and executing personalized events and volunteer strategies to cultivate and steward donors. Collaborate with staff and volunteers in planning and executing special events. Responsible for inviting donors and community members to attend monthly Huddles, twice a year Graduations and standing volunteering opportunities at Mission Academy and Lighthouse. Responsible for inviting and serving alongside donors at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter Outreach Meals. · Fiscal Responsibility Responsible for achieving annual giving goals for assigned portfolio of donors. Performs with care any confidential activities required by the position. Ensures cost-effective management of SDRM assets and resources. Compiles with processes and procedures for accurate and timely invoice payment, expense reporting and reimbursement requests. -Organizational Culture and Leadership Manages timely and effective communication with supervisor regarding issues, concerns, and decisions that affect the organization. Promote continuous improvement through identification and implementation of best practices, acquired knowledge, and automation. Stays abreast of trends, innovations and developments in the nonprofit and fundraising industries, particularly as it relates to major and planned giving. Periodically reviews organizational strategies, plans and initiatives and provides reports and updates as needed for the tactics your work involves. Performs other special assignments and duties as assigned. · Other Related Duties Support and participate in ministry-wide activities and chapels as applicable. Collaborate cross-functionally to uphold trauma-informed practices and ensure client dignity. Staff Expectations As a representative of San Diego Rescue Mission, all employees are expected to: Adhere to the Statement of Faith, upholding biblical principles in all aspects of work and life. Be prepared to share the hope you have in Christ. As a representative of Christ, be ready to gently and respectfully share the Good News of Jesus Christ at all times. Live out the Mission, Vision, and Values of the SDRM by safeguarding the Mission, pursuing the Vision, and reflecting our core values—Faith, Compassion, Excellence, and Integrity—in both your personal and public life. Remain focused on serving, demonstrating a deep desire to see God transform the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Intentionally spend time in God’s Word, prayer, staying rooted in a biblical community (local church, ministry, small group) to deepen your relationship with Christ. Model servant leadership in all interactions, encourage and support SDRM staff in their walk with Christ, putting the needs of others before yourself. Foster a coachable, approachable, and humble spirit, remaining open to feedback, growth, and guidance. Qualifications Education: Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in Business or other related field. Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years' experience working in a nonprofit, ministry, or human services environment. Experience in non-profit fundraising/ development or a related field required. Experience in donor cultivation, gift solicitation, marketing, and community relations preferred. Experience working with individuals facing homelessness, trauma, or addiction preferred. Skills & Abilities: Ability to function effectively in a dynamic, faith-based environment Strong communication and administrative skills Capable of maintaining emotional resilience in challenging client situations Working knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook) Coordinate and/or direct a variety of complex tasks and assignments simultaneously and successfully Exercise good judgment and make sensible decisions Attentive to detail Proven ability to prioritize effectively Effective oral and written communication skills Eagerness to learn and be trained Ability to work both independently and as part of a team Provide information to public by answering questions and requests Regular, timely attendance. Work Environment and Physical Demands This role may require walking, standing, lifting up to 25 lbs., and working irregular hours, including evenings or weekends. Environment includes residential program sites and client-facing spaces. Travel/Transportation The incumbent must travel on a regular (or periodic) basis, as the job requires. The incumbent must have reliable transportation (public transportation may be acceptable depending on the purpose of travel). If the incumbent receives authorization to use a Mission vehicle to perform duties, he or she must present a current California driver’s license and a good driving record to be placed on the Mission’s insurance policy. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The San Diego Rescue Mission (SDRM) Is both an equal opportunity employer and a Christian Ministry. We conduct hiring without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age, sex (which included breastfeeding, or a medical condition related to breastfeeding), marital status, parental status, military status, veteran's status, pregnancy, medication condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, disability or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. However, as a registered non- profit religious organization, SDRM does reserve the right to discriminate in hiring persons whose lifestyle is contradictory to Biblical principles. Pursuant to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 702 942 U.S.C 2000e (a)), SDRM has the right to, and does hire only candidates who agree with SDRM's Statement of Faith and conduct themselves in accordance with our religious beliefs. Background Check Disclaimer SDRM conducts background checks in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act, and the California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act. If you accept a position with SDRM, as part of your conditional offer of employment, you will be asked to submit to a virtual background check AND a California Livescan Fingerprint. You will be provided the following notifications as an example: 1. You will be provided with appropriate written notice of the company's intention to obtain information by way of a background check and will give applicants and employees the opportunity to obtain a free copy of any report obtained. 2. Applicants and employees will be asked to authorize a background check before such check is performed. Drug Screen Disclaimer SDRM is a Nonprofit Religious Organization and as such, we require all employees to submit to our drug screen as a condition of employment once they have accepted a position with SDRM. Because of our religious affiliation, we do not allow employees to use or consume recreational or medicinal marijuana, along with all other federally recognized substances. You will be notified prior to any employment decisions if your drug screen is returned with negative findings. Refusal to submit to testing will result in disqualification of further employment consideration. E-Verify Statement San Diego Rescue Mission participates in E-Verify. We will provide the Social Security Administration, and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Please note that we do not use this information to pre-screen job applicants.

Keywords: San Diego Rescue Mission, La Quinta , Donor Relations Officer, Social Services , San Diego, California