The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting is an award-winning nonprofit journalism organization that sponsors independent reporting on global issues that mainstream media often overlook. Our education and engagement programs bring this journalism into classrooms, universities, and communities worldwide, using storytelling as a tool for understanding complex challenges and inspiring action.

Our individual giving program is a critical component of our revenue strategy, providing flexible funding that enables us to respond quickly to emerging global issues and support innovative journalism projects. Learn more at pulitzercenter.org.

About the role

The Pulitzer Center seeks a strategic relationship builder to transform how individual donors connect with our mission of supporting independent journalism on critical global issues. This isn't about transactional fundraising—it's about building a movement of engaged supporters who see themselves as partners in strengthening journalism's role in democracy and global understanding.

As Manager of Individual Giving, you'll serve as a key driver in growing our individual donor program, creating pathways for people to move from first-time supporters to deeply invested advocates. You'll design engagement strategies and events that help donors see the direct impact of their support: journalists uncovering climate stories in vulnerable communities, students connecting global issues to local action, and communities accessing information that mainstream media overlooks.

This role is for someone who believes fundraising is fundamentally about relationships, storytelling, and shared purpose. Someone who can translate complex journalism projects into compelling donor experiences, who thrives on building genuine connections, and who sees data not as numbers but as insights into how people want to engage with our mission.

If you're energized by the challenge of building sustainable revenue streams while cultivating meaningful donor relationships, this role offers significant creative freedom and strategic impact.

Responsibilities

Donor Strategy & Portfolio Management 

• Manage and grow a portfolio of 150-200 individual donors giving $1,000-$25,000 annually
• Design and implement cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies tailored to donor interests and capacity
• Create personalized engagement plans that connect donors to specific programs, journalists, and impact stories
• Identify and qualify major gift prospects from existing supporter base and new networks
• Achieve annual fundraising goals while building sustainable long-term relationships

Donor Experience & Communications 

• Craft compelling solicitation materials including appeals, proposals, and impact reports
• Design creative stewardship touchpoints that demonstrate impact and build connection: journalist updates, behind-the-scenes content, program spotlights
• Collaborate with Communications and Editorial teams to develop donor-facing content that showcases journalism quality and impact
• Organize donor engagement opportunities: briefings with journalists, exclusive events, virtual conversations on global issues
• Ensure all donor interactions reflect the organization's values and strengthen relationship momentum

Program Development & Innovation 

• Build and expand mid-level giving program ($1,000-$9,999) with targeted strategies for acquisition and retention
• Develop creative giving vehicles: monthly sustainer programs, matching gift campaigns, legacy giving initiatives
• Design engagement pathways that move donors up the giving ladder based on interests and capacity
• Test and refine approaches based on data analysis and donor feedback
• Collaborate with Development leadership to integrate individual giving with broader fundraising strategy

Data Management & Analysis 

• Maintain accurate, comprehensive donor records in CRM system (Salesforce)
• Track metrics including retention rates, upgrade rates, average gift size, and portfolio productivity
• Analyze giving patterns to inform strategy and identify opportunities
• Generate reports for leadership on fundraising performance and trends
• Ensure compliance with donor acknowledgment timelines and organizational policies

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 3-5 years of fundraising experience with demonstrated success managing individual donor portfolios
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding annual fundraising goals
• Excellent relationship building skills with ability to cultivate donors across giving levels
• Experience in developing, producing, and managing fundraising and donor events. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to craft compelling narratives
• Strategic thinking combined with attention to detail and follow-through
• Experience with donor database management (Salesforce experience strongly preferred)
• Analytical skills with comfort using data to inform strategy and measure success
• Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to build programs and test new approaches
• Passion for journalism, storytelling, and the role of media in democracy
• Commitment to equity and inclusion in fundraising practice

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in nonprofit journalism, media, or education sectors
• Knowledge of international development, global affairs, or social justice issues
• Experience with planned giving or monthly sustainer programs
• Grant writing skills
• Established networks within philanthropic or journalism communities
• Familiarity with issues including climate change, democracy, human rights, global health

Success Metrics

Your impact will be measured by:

• Revenue Goals: Achievement of annual individual giving revenue targets
• Portfolio Growth: Expansion in number of donors and average gift size across portfolio
• Retention: Strong donor retention rates (70%+ for current donors)
• Upgrades: Success moving donors to higher giving levels
• Pipeline Development: Consistent identification and qualification of major gift prospects
• Donor Satisfaction: Positive feedback from donors about their experience and engagement
• Program Innovation: Development and testing of new giving programs and engagement strategies
• Operational Excellence: Accurate, timely donor records and acknowledgments

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000 annually, commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, generous PTO, professional development support
• Remote work arrangement with flexibility for work-life balance

Location & Work Arrangement

The ideal candidate will be based in either New York City or Washington DC. Qualified candidates from all geographic regions will be considered, however, a relocation reimbursement will not be offered for this position. The role requires in-person participation at New York City and Washington DC based meetings with leadership, team members, donors, and partners. 

Travel Requirements: This role requires domestic and global travel for:

• Meetings with donors, prospects, and partners. . 
• Fundraising-related events and related donor activities.
• Team meetings and organizational events 
• Conferences and professional development

The ideal candidate will be comfortable with both in-person relationship building and virtual donor engagement across time zones.

Employment at the Pulitzer Center

The Pulitzer Center is an equal opportunity employer. The Center is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where the individual differences among us, whether in terms of race, religion, color, age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, physical challenge, or marital or family status, are (i) understood, respected, and appreciated, (ii) recognized as a source of strength, and (iii) valued as qualities that enrich the environment in which we work. See our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement for details.