PROJECT SAGE IS HIRING
Donor EngagEment Specialist
Location: Lakeville, CT | Part-Time, Non-Exempt (22.5 hours/week, on-site)
JOB DESCRIPTION
Who We Are
Project SAGE is a domestic violence prevention education agency in northwest Connecticut. Our mission is to create social change by challenging attitudes and beliefs about power, control, and gender norms while advocating for victims and survivors. We envision a world where everyone can be themselves, have healthy relationships, and live free from interpersonal relationship violence.
We are a compassionate, committed team working toward a safer, more just future.
At Project SAGE, every role contributes to building healthy relationships—both internally and externally in our community. As a small team, all staff members are expected to contribute to the overall functioning and wellbeing of the agency. Our core principles are cooperation and mutual respect, collaboration and communication, and strength in diversity.
Who You Are
As the Donor Engagement Specialist, you play an essential role in strengthening Project SAGE's fundraising and donor stewardship efforts. You are highly organized, detail-oriented, and genuinely energized by people—you find joy in making donors feel valued, welcomed, and deeply connected to the mission their support makes possible.
You thrive on managing complex projects and coordinating many moving pieces—from annual appeals and donor communications to planning and executing donor engagement events from start to finish. You have a natural warmth and presence that puts people at ease, anticipates their needs, and creates memorable experiences. You understand that every interaction—whether answering a phone call, coordinating a cultivation meeting, or welcoming donors to an event—is an opportunity to strengthen relationships and demonstrate the values of Project SAGE.
You are equally comfortable working behind the scenes managing data and logistics as you are building genuine connections with donors through face-to-face interactions. You bring a collaborative mindset, strong communication skills, and authentic enthusiasm for helping people feel seen, appreciated, and part of something meaningful.
What You Will Do
Reporting to the Development Manager, you will support Project SAGE's fundraising and donor engagement efforts through a mix of project management, donor stewardship, event planning, and development operations.
Appeals (30%) You will coordinate the planning and production of Project SAGE's annual fundraising appeals, including the Annual Appeal, Year-End Appeal, Giving Tuesday efforts, Trade Secrets underwriting outreach, and LYBUNT re-engagement campaigns. This includes managing mailing lists, coordinating mail and digital communications, and tracking responses across multiple channels.
Donor Engagement & Events (35%) You will plan, coordinate, and execute donor engagement events, including the Trade Secrets Underwriters Cocktail Party and Sip & Savor, managing all aspects from concept through day-of logistics—venue coordination, vendor management, guest experience, and event flow. You will support meaningful engagement with donors by helping implement the donor engagement plan, building warm, professional relationships through regular touchpoints, coordinating cultivation meetings, conducting prospect research, and creating stewardship experiences that make supporters feel valued and connected to Project SAGE's impact.
Development Operations (25%) You will support the internal systems that power fundraising by maintaining donor records, processing gifts and acknowledgments, running reports, coordinating development mailings, and helping manage fundraising workflows and timelines through project management tools such as Asana while assisting with tracking fundraising performance and revenue data.
Trade Secrets Support (5%) You will provide administrative and logistical support for Trade Secrets, Project SAGE's signature fundraising event, including assisting with donor engagement activities, committee coordination, and event preparation.
Agency Collaboration (5%) As part of a collaborative team, you will participate in agency meetings, events, and trainings, provide occasional backup phone coverage when needed, maintain strict confidentiality, and support agency-wide initiatives.
What You Will Bring
We are looking for someone who:
Is highly organized and detail-oriented
Has strong written and verbal communication skills
Enjoys managing projects and coordinating multiple tasks simultaneously
Has exceptional interpersonal skills with a natural ability to make people feel welcome, valued, and at ease
Brings warmth, grace, and professionalism to every interaction—anticipating needs and creating positive experiences for donors and stakeholders
Thrives on building genuine relationships and finds energy in people-centered work
Demonstrates discretion and professionalism when handling sensitive information
Works well both independently and collaboratively
Has experience planning and executing events with attention to hospitality and guest experience
Is enthusiastic about and committed to Project SAGE's mission and values
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, social sciences, or a related field or equivalent work experience
Experience with project coordination or development/fundraising support
Experience with databases and data management
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism
Willingness to obtain domestic violence counselor certification (training provided)
Commitment to Project SAGE's mission and values
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in nonprofit fundraising or development
Background in hospitality, event management, or customer-facing roles requiring exceptional relationship skills
Experience planning and executing donor cultivation or stewardship events
Familiarity with donor databases or CRM systems. Project SAGE uses Little Green Light
Experience coordinating fundraising appeals or donor stewardship activities
Experience using project management software (such as Asana, Trello, or similar tools)
Knowledge of trauma-informed practice or advocacy work
Special Requirements
Willingness to answer and direct agency hotline calls when advocates are unavailable (training provided)
Willingness to travel locally for agency-related activities, requiring a valid driver's license and insurance
Flexibility to occasionally work outside normal hours for events (primarily around Trade Secrets)
Physical Expectations
Ability to sit or stand at a desk for extended periods, lift up to 20 pounds occasionally, and move around the office (including stairs)
Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified candidates with disabilities
We Offer
Compensation: $27-$30hr based on experience, skills, and the potential you bring to the team (salary range of $31,590-$35,100)
Schedule: Part-time, non-exempt, 22.5 hours/week on-site at our Lakeville, CT office, with preference for three days a week on site. Open to other options.
Benefits: Generous Paid Time Off, Sick and Wellness days, federal paid holidays, and retirement plan with 4% match.
Meaningful Work: An opportunity to support survivors and help create lasting change in the community
Supportive Culture: A workplace rooted in compassion, collaboration, inclusion, and courage — where your work is valued and your growth is supported
How to Apply: Please send your resume and a brief cover letter to careers@project-sage.org with the subject: Donor Engagement Specialist. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every single qualification. If you’re enthusiastic about the role and our mission, we want to hear from you!
Project SAGE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.