Donor Relations Officer
Partner: BallotPedia
Location: Remote

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Ballotpedia is a collaborative team of fast learners and creative problem solvers who are eager
to work hard to make the world a better place. We believe the world will be a better place if
every citizen has access to information to make informed decisions about their vote in every
election in which they are eligible to vote: primary, general, and special elections; federal, state,
and local offices.
We work diligently to present the available information about elections, candidates, judges,
ballot measures, policies, and more in a way that enables our readers to vote with confidence
and to act as engaged citizens outside of the polling booth.
Ballotpedia readers, like Ballotpedia staff, are special people.
When we launched in 2007, we did not go out of our way to seek new readers. Starting with our
small team of visionary idealists, nerds, and aspiring political journalists, we just wrote the best
unbiased online articles we could, especially about ballot measures. Readers found those
articles in droves. It turns out there was an unclaimed audience out there—people who wanted
straightforward facts about political issues, and were willing to read at length instead of just
scanning the headlines.
“If you build it, they will come:” our readers came to our neutral oasis in growing numbers; we’ve
had many millions of lifetime pageviews, we reached nearly half of all voters in 2020, and, in the
month surrounding the November 2020 election, we were the 77th most-visited website in the
U.S.
We’ve come to realize that we need to meet our readers where they are. In doing so, over the
past five years, we’ve grown our email newsletter program from infancy to include more than
1,000,000 opt-in subscribers with more than a dozen newsletters to choose from. We are
working in numerous ways to help put our neutral information in front of people at the times
when they most need it, including on mobile phones while you’re standing in the voting booth.
We firmly believe that our readers, and the mindset we help them cultivate, are essential to the
preservation of our great civilization in a world where too many others are fighting to get us all
addicted to sensational posts and the irrational decisions they foster.
If this is a mission you’d be willing to work hard to achieve, and if this is a team you’d be willing
to work hard with—JOIN US.
The Position
Ballotpedia is seeking a full-time, 100% remote Donor Relations Officer to execute its
fundraising and development strategy to grow our annual and major gift program.
Reporting to the Vice President of External Relations and collaborating with the External
Relations team, you will be responsible for managing a growth portfolio of individual donor
prospects, major donor prospects and corporate sponsorship prospects, as well as driving the
growth of Ballotpedia’s Donor Club program.
This is an ideal opportunity for a nonprofit professional with prior development experience who’s
inspired by Ballotpedia’s mission. As the Donor Relations Officer, you will play a critical role in
increasing donor support and serve as an ambassador for Ballotpedia, utilizing your hands-on
experience to grow our donor pipeline.
The role’s primary focus will be securing funds for Ballotpedia by qualifying donors and
providing them with giving opportunities. Your involvement will span donor research, cultivation
and communications.
The Donor Relations Officer will build strong relationships on behalf of Ballotpedia and engage
with prospects through regular in-person meetings and by phone, employing an effective moves
management strategy.
The ideal candidate will be based near a major U.S. airport, and will have past success securing
gifts in the five-figure range. Expected travel is up to 20%.
Responsibilities
As Donor Relations Officer you will:
● Execute and optimize the development plan, securing financial support from individuals
and foundations to meet annual fundraising goals
● Build strong relationships with donors and prospects to increase their engagement with
Ballotpedia
● Secure and manage a roster of 100-125 donors
● Conduct donor prospect research
● Create regular reports on progress toward fundraising goals
● Draft regular and polished communications to support fundraising initiatives, such as
fundraising letters, annual reports, proposals, newsletters and brochures
● Drive growth for the organization’s Donor Clubs and associated events in collaboration
with other team members
Qualifications
The ideal Donor Relations Officer will have:
● A demonstrated passion for Ballotpedia’s mission
● 4-6 years of fundraising experience, including 2 years of working in nonprofit
development or a field with similar skills and 1 year of experience successfully securing
five-figure gifts and qualifying donors
● A bachelor’s degree
● Outstanding written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
● Excellent organization skills and attention to detail
● Demonstrated ability to work independently, meet deadlines, multitask, and follow
through
● A strong work ethic and positive attitude
● Responsible judgment, honesty, and dependability
● Ability to maintain confidential information
● Knowledge of and familiarity with the Google Workplace products, Slack, and Asana
● Familiarity with current philanthropy software and database programs (Salesforce
experience is highly desired)
Environment
The Donor Relations Officer will work remotely from their home location. All Ballotpedia staff
work remotely. To join Ballotpedia, you must have a computer with internet access. Ballotpedia
uses Google Workplace (e.g., Gmail, Google Calendar, Drive), Slack, and Asana to accomplish
our goals. Some familiarity with the Google Workplace, Slack, Asana, and SalesForce are
helpful.
Ballotpedia has a flexible work environment, BP Flex, in which every employee enjoys unlimited
vacation and flexibility in scheduling. Each employee will be oriented to the principles of
Ballotpedia’s flexible environment during new employee training.
Compensation
The expected starting salary will be $55,000 to $70,000, commensurate with experience, with
additional fundraising performance incentives.
In addition to salary, Ballotpedia offers a $7,000 annual benefits stipend, which can be used to
pay for a full benefits package, including health, vision, and dental insurance; retirement
accounts; and more. If benefits are not elected, the $7,000 stipend is treated as regular income
and added to salary.
To Apply
To apply, click on ‘Apply for this job’ below and fill out the form.
Please attach the following in PDF format:
● R sum
● Cover letter detailing your interest in Ballotpedia’s mission and your interest in and
qualifications for position
Please ensure that either your r sum or cover letter include your current address. Applications
without addresses will not be accepted.