Member Relations Manager

Join Friends of the Mississippi River’s development team to help us grow support for the organization and sustain our work to protect the Mississippi River.

About FMR

The Mississippi River is one of the world’s great rivers, a natural resource of global significance. Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) is a leading nonprofit that protects, restores and enhances the Mississippi River and its watershed primarily in the Twin Cities region. The organization has become a national model for conservation and watershed protection. Our goals are to: improve water quality; conserve important lands; engage people in learning about and taking action to protect and enhance the river; inspire widespread commitment to this natural wonder flowing through our community; and protect our river's unique scenic, natural, cultural and recreational qualities.

The organization has an annual budget of $5.2 million and employs a dedicated, professional staff of 27 who work to improve the health of the river through policy advocacy, education and engagement, land conservation and restoration and other disciplines. Over more than 30 years, FMR has established deep relationships and credibility with thousands of local residents, landowners, neighborhood organizations, volunteers, government agencies and elected officials.

With a well-known and respected brand, a seasoned and effective staff, a strong Board of Directors, and an ever-growing base of support, FMR is poised for continued growth and success. The workplace culture at FMR is collaborative and fun, and staff share a common love of the river and a dedication to the organization's mission.

Our office is located in St. Paul’s West Side community, in a historic building across the street from Harriet Island and the river. We enjoy a pet-friendly workplace, and a hybrid working arrangement (Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the office; Monday, Thursday and Friday anywhere you choose). 

FMR believes that the Mississippi River connects us all, and that social and environmental issues are woven together. As we work toward restoring habitat and the river's waters, we will also work toward a riverway that is safe, healing and accessible for everyone. We strive to be culturally competent, welcoming and inclusive of all people and are committed to using our resources and influence to redress structural inequality where it intersects with the health and vitality of the Mississippi River. We encourage interested applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

Member Relations Manager position description

The Member Relations Manager reports to the Development Director and is an integral member of a four-person development team. The Member Relations Manager is responsible for growing and cultivating the organization’s membership base (donors who contribute less than $500 annually) through a range of practices, as well as organizing and implementing administrative systems to ensure effective, efficient development efforts.

FMR currently enjoys the support of approximately 1,700 household members who annually contribute over $200,000 and would like to see this foundational support grow.

Responsibilities

• Thoroughly understand the organization’s fundraising priorities and goals, and help to develop strategies to meet them.
• Help manage, strategize, plan and implement FMR’s membership program, including:
  - Maintaining member data and keeping the member management system (EveryAction) organized and operational to ensure accurate and pertinent data.
  - Collaboratively identifying and implementing member acquisition, retention and upgrade strategies.
  - Coordinating digital and print appeals and membership renewals.
  - Helping to craft solicitations across multiple channels, including email, print and social media.
  - Recording incoming gifts and generating acknowledgments of receipt.
  - Tracking and managing benefits to members.
  - Responding to individual member and donor inquiries and communications.
• Help to plan and implement fundraising and donor stewardship events.
• Participate on the FMR Communications Team to ensure timely and appropriate communications to various audiences.
• Generate quarterly reports for tracking, analysis and forecasting.
• Conduct research and analysis of FMR’s development practices and results to continually improve performance and outcomes.
• Help the organization accurately budget for membership revenue and expenses.
• Lead FMR’s efforts to build support from workplace giving programs and campaigns.
• Coordinate with accounting on gift processing, coding, reconciling, and entry in a timely manner.
• Supervise volunteers and interns as needed.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (two years of directly related experience may be considered in lieu of a degree).
• Strong computer skills in CRM databases, word-processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• High level of thoroughness and strong attention to detail.
• Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment, both internally and externally.
• Commitment to basic fundraising ethics and rigorous privacy principles.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and occasional weekends.
• Commitment to and passion for the mission of Friends of the Mississippi River.

Additional desired qualifications

• Strongly preferred: Minimum two years of experience with donor databases and membership/ individual fundraising activities.
• Some knowledge of philanthropic trends and the non-profit field.
• Experience creating engaging social media content.

Salary and benefits

This is a full-time position. The salary range is $60,000–$65,000 commensurate with experience (benchmarked against the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Salary & Benefits Survey). Benefits include health, dental and short-term disability insurance; a retirement plan with employer match; and generous paid vacation, sick, personal, holiday and sabbatical leave.