About AIER
The American Institute for Economic Research (AIER) seeks a highly personable and detail-oriented Donor Relations Manager to grow and strengthen our base of philanthropic support. This role is ideal for someone passionate about cultivating authentic relationships, connecting donors with meaningful opportunities to support liberty and free markets, and confidently securing major gifts to advance AIER’s mission.
About the Role
The Donor Relations Manager will be responsible for a national portfolio of individual donors, with a focus on identifying prospects, deepening engagement, and making direct, tailored solicitations. This position requires emotional intelligence, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to donor stewardship. Candidates must be energized by travel, excited to build lasting donor connections, and capable of communicating the value of AIER’s work in a way that inspires confidence and generosity. The Donor Relations Manager reports to the Director of Strategic Partnerships.
This role can be based in Great Barrington, MA; Washington, DC; or remotely with proximity to a major airport. AIER offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.
Responsibilities
- Build and manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects across the country.
- Cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with donors in alignment with their philanthropic goals and AIER’s work.
- Conduct donor research and craft personalized cultivation and solicitation plans.
- Make direct, confident asks and ensure every donor understands how their giving makes an impact.
- Track all interactions and key insights in Salesforce, maintaining meticulous records.
- Collaborate with AIER staff to identify funding opportunities that align with donor interests.
- Represent AIER at donor meetings, events, and conferences—traveling up to approximately 30% of the time.
- Coordinate occasional donor gatherings and engagement experiences.
Key Qualifications
- 2+ years of experience in fundraising, development, or relationship management.
- Deep commitment to AIER’s mission and comfort discussing classical liberal and free-market principles.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills—intuitive, gracious, and persuasive.
- Proven ability to manage projects with accuracy, discretion, and efficiency.
- Strong writing and communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences.
- Confidence in making direct asks and discussing philanthropic priorities with high-net-worth individuals.
- Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM systems is preferred.
- Ability to work independently while staying closely aligned with team goals and strategy.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to travel domestically and internationally, lift and transport equipment (up to 30 pounds) within the campus environment, remain in a stationary position for extended periods; move around airports, planes, cars, the office and between offices; constantly operate a computer and computer printer; frequently adjust focus for close vision work. The employee must be able to communicate both in writing and orally to various audiences, in person, by telephone, and by video.
FSLA Status: Exempt
To Apply
To apply, qualified individuals should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:
- Cover letter including:
- An introductory paragraph describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to AIER’s mission and how you came to those beliefs. Be sure to include at least one specific issue or policy area that resonates with you.
- Salary requirements
- Resume
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.
There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.
Questions can be directed to Bailey Drouant, Project Manager at Talent Market, who is managing the search process: [email protected]
While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide free consulting and recruiting services to free-market think tanks, policy organizations, research centers, and capacity-building institutions dedicated to advancing the principles of limited government and free enterprise.
