Overview
Donor Relations Specialist Jobs in Arlington, VA at Air & Space Forces Aid Society
Title: Donor Relations Specialist
Company: Air & Space Forces Aid Society
Location: Arlington, VA
Donor Relations Specialist
Arlington, VA (Hybrid)
Full-Time, Manager Level
$80,000 to $85,000 annually
Own the relationship, not just the transaction
This is not a back-office development role.
At the Air & Space Forces Aid Society, donor relationships directly translate into support for Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Every touchpoint you manage connects to real outcomes, emergency assistance, education support, and day-to-day stability for military families.
We are looking for someone who can manage relationships at scale without losing the human element.
About AFAS
The Air & Space Forces Aid Society is the official charity of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
Since 1942, we have supported military families through trusted, responsive programs grounded in accountability and service.
Today, our team of 32 operates from our headquarters in Crystal City, supporting families across more than 70 installations nationwide.
The Role
You will manage and grow a portfolio of mid-level donors giving between $500 and $2,499 annually, building consistent, thoughtful engagement that drives retention and increased giving over time.
This is a high-volume, high-touch role.
You are not just maintaining relationships, you are building a pipeline that feeds into major giving.
What You’ll Own
Donor Portfolio Management
Manage a portfolio of approximately 250 to 300 donors with consistent, personalized outreach
Execute donor touchpoints across email, phone, and campaigns
Deliver timely acknowledgments and stewardship communication
Donor Growth and Strategy
Identify donors ready to move into major giving and support handoffs
Execute upgrade strategies to increase giving and retention
Promote monthly giving and giving circle participation
Campaigns and Engagement
Support and execute targeted appeals and donor journeys
Participate in donor events and stewardship initiatives
Partner with Communications to ensure clear, consistent messaging
Data and Systems
Maintain clean, accurate donor records in CRM
Track engagement and giving trends
Use data to inform strategy and improve performance
Team Collaboration
Work closely with the Individual Giving Manager and Development team
Support broader fundraising efforts, including corporate and foundation initiatives
Contribute to a responsive, donor-centered experience across channels
What You Bring
You are organized, consistent, and comfortable managing a high volume of relationships without losing attention to detail.
2+ years in nonprofit fundraising, donor relations, or annual giving
Experience managing donor portfolios or engagement pipelines
Strong written and verbal communication
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
High attention to detail and disciplined follow-through
Experience with CRM systems, Salesforce preferred
A donor-centered mindset with strong interpersonal skills
Why This Role Matters
This role sits at the center of how we sustain and grow our mission.
You are not managing transactions. You are managing relationships that directly translate into support for Airmen, Guardians, and their families.
Every call you make, every message you send, and every interaction you manage contributes to whether a donor stays engaged, increases their giving, and continues to support the work we do.
This role is built for someone who:
- Wants ownership and follows through without constant oversight
- Can manage volume while keeping interactions personal and intentional
- Understands that consistency drives long-term results
- Is comfortable working across teams to keep donor experience strong and aligned
If you do this well, your impact will be measurable in donor retention, growth, and the strength of the pipeline that fuels everything we do.
Equal Opportunity
We are committed to a workplace free from unlawful discrimination. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law.