ABOUT MAINE NEEDS
Maine Needs is a community-centered nonprofit dedicated to providing critical resources through community building. Serving all 16 Maine counties, we mobilize a large and growing volunteer base to deliver essential goods and support to individuals and families statewide. We are a growing organization with a lean, passionate team and deep roots in the communities we serve.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Development Manager is the steward of Maine Needs’ donor relationships and financial records. This role is responsible for managing the donor database, processing gifts, issuing tax acknowledgments, and tracking grants — ensuring that every contribution is recorded accurately and every donor feels valued and connected to the mission.
Working closely with the Executive Director and the Director of Marketing and Development, the Development Manager plays a critical role in sustaining the organization’s funding base and supporting a culture of donor appreciation and transparency. The successful candidate will help forge new relationships to build Maine Needs’ visibility, impact, and financial resources — and will bring the organizational discipline to track every dollar and every donor with care.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Donor Database Management
Maintains the organization’s donor database with accuracy and care. Enters new constituents, updates contact information, records giving history, and applies filters and tags as needed. Generates reports to support fundraising strategy and donor stewardship. Manages ongoing database cleanup and integrity.
Gift Processing
Processes all incoming donations including checks, online gifts, DAFs, and in-kind contributions. Coordinates with the Finance Manager to record and deposit gifts accurately and on time. Ensures all transactions are entered in the donor database in accordance with organizational policy.
Tax Acknowledgments
Prepares and sends tax acknowledgment letters and receipts to donors in compliance with IRS requirements. Manages thank you correspondence — including coordinating volunteer handwritten notes — and ensures every donor receives timely, personalized communication for every gift.
Grant Tracking
Tracks grant applications, deadlines, reporting requirements, and award statuses in coordination with the Grant Committee. Communicates with the Executive Director and Operations Director on new initiatives relevant to grant compliance and reporting. Ensures accurate financial documentation across all active grants.
Donor Stewardship and Appreciation
Supports the development team in executing donor stewardship activities including acknowledgment campaigns, donor communications, and giving reports. Manages the appreciation committee and coordinates special recognition needs on behalf of the Executive Director. Assists in preparing materials for major donor outreach and fundraising events.
Fundraising Support
Partners with the Executive Director, Director of Marketing and Development, and Event Coordinator on all fundraising initiatives — from campaigns to collection drives to special events. Tracks events and community fundraisers with the support of the team. Maintains and regularly updates the event calendar on the organization’s website.
Donor Communications
Serves as a point of contact for donors when the Executive Director is unavailable. Answers donor questions via phone and email, provides organizational updates, and conducts facility tours for prospective and current donors. Represents Maine Needs with warmth, professionalism, and a deep knowledge of the organization’s mission and impact.
Reporting and Analysis
Monitors donor trends, retention rates, gift totals, and campaign performance. Provides and presents statistical data to the Executive Director and Director of Marketing and Development to support fundraising planning and strategy.
Reporting and Collaboration
The Development Manager reports to the Executive Director. Works in close partnership with the Director of Marketing and Development on donor strategy and fundraising initiatives, with the Finance Manager on gift processing and financial documentation, and with the Grant Committee on grant tracking and compliance.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
• 2–4 years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising administration, or donor database management
• Demonstrated success managing and cultivating relationships with multiple donor sources
• Experience with donor management software (e.g., Bloomerang, Salesforce, DonorPerfect, or similar)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and PDF management; ability to navigate website backend (Squarespace) a plus
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy
• Familiarity with IRS gift acknowledgment requirements and nonprofit financial practices
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills — able to engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships
• Ability to delegate, motivate, and support volunteer committees
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously
• Flexible, resourceful, and equally effective working independently and as part of a team
• Genuine commitment to Maine Needs’ mission and the communities we serve
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
• Salary: $66,000
• Hybrid — 3 days per week in office
• 21 Paid Holidays
• 15 Days PTO
• 12-Week Family Leave
• Monthly Wellness Stipend
At Maine Needs we believe that taking care of our community every day begins with taking care of our staff — paying them market value for their efforts and offering built-in respite to step away from this work. This cultivates work-life balance, encourages self-care, and has a ripple effect felt across the organization, fostering a positive culture that volunteers and staff want to be part of.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
Every gift is recorded accurately and acknowledged on time. The donor database is clean, current, and a reliable foundation for fundraising strategy. Donors feel genuinely appreciated and connected to the mission. Grants are tracked with precision and reported on time. The Executive Director and Director of Marketing and Development always have the data and donor intelligence they need — because the Development Manager has it handled.
TO APPLY
Please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@maineneeds.org describing your experience in development and fundraising and why Maine Needs’ mission resonates with you. Please include the contact information for 3 professional references with your application. In the body of the email, please include answers to the following questions:
1. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
2. What service, program or organization doesn't exist but should?
3. What is a universal need?
Jobs@maineneeds.org
Maine Needs is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we support.
