Who We Are

Outward Bound USA (OBUSA) is a national non-profit educational organization in the United States, in operation for more than 60 years. Outward Bound’s mission is to change lives through challenge and discovery. While ambitious and bold, our vision is a more resilient and compassionate world, with more endurance in response to change and more courage in the face of challenge. 

Outward Bound programs provide increased access for today’s youth to develop social-emotional skills and build their capacity to navigate the future with confidence, compassion, and curiosity. Programs are far-reaching – inside city and suburban classrooms and outside in rugged backcountry settings – lasting anywhere from one day to an entire semester. Outward Bound staff are positive, fun, passionate, mission-driven change makers who uphold a high standard of quality and commitment to our students.  

We strive to provide educational experiences that are inclusive and relevant for all participants and are committed to organizational improvement in support of an equitable and just society. 

Position Impact

Outward Bound USA aims to support, amplify, and grow the capacity of our regional schools, where students are prepared with 21st-century skills to be ready for work, life, and civic leadership in an evolving world. Our work is guided by an unwavering commitment to our students, equity, adventure, and safety. 

Guided by a strategic Vision for Impact 2030 between 2023 and 2030, OBUSA supports this work through targeted initiatives designed to: create new and expanded capacity in regional schools by positioning OB as an educational partner to parents, schools, and corporations; accelerate access to the outdoors for underrepresented communities; provide a leading-edge research and development engine that will continuously improve program outcomes; and cultivate a workplace that attracts, develops, and retains the best outdoor educators and administrative professionals in the US. 

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Development Data and Research Manager will oversee and optimize the operational processes that support the organization's fundraising efforts. This role is pivotal in managing the Salesforce CRM system, conducting donor research, building a strong donor pipeline, and ensuring the smooth transition of donors from annual giving to major gifts. The ideal candidate will have a strategic vision for data management and metrics essential for a robust and efficient donor pipeline. 

Our Culture 

As a leading non-profit educational organization, Outward Bound is designed to embrace challenge. We engage in organization-wide continuous improvement and cultivate a workplace that attracts top talent—like you. This role becomes part of a collaborative organization that is rich with talent, connection, and teamwork contributing to the expansion of our mission nationwide. Thriving here takes compassion, a learning mindset, and a deep desire to do meaningful work to achieve our goals. At Outward Bound, we are crew, not passengers. Everyone is on the crew, and we all contribute. We share success and view challenges as opportunities. From the office to the wilderness, we grow together. You belong here.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

 Salesforce CRM & Data Management 

• Oversee all aspects of the CRM, Salesforce.
• Generate and analyze reports to monitor fundraising performance, donor trends, and key performance indicators (KPIs). 
• Provide data-driven recommendations to optimize fundraising performance and donor engagement. 
• Maintain the integrity and accuracy of donor data within Salesforce, ensuring best practices for data entry, gift processing, and acknowledgment.
• Develop and oversee data management processes, including pipeline tracking, donor segmentation, and system upgrades.
• Lead data hygiene initiatives and train staff on CRM best practices to enhance efficiency and data quality.

Prospect Development & Pipeline Management

• Identify and qualify new donor prospects to expand the fundraising pipeline, with a focus on major donor growth. 
• Increase the major donor pipeline annually through strategic prospecting and engagement efforts. 
• Implement systems for tracking donor progress, ensuring strategic movement through the pipeline from annual giving to major gifts.
• Collaborate with fundraisers and cross-functional teams to support targeted solicitation efforts and provide regular pipeline updates.

Donor Engagement & Cross-Functional Support

• Ensure timely and personalized acknowledgment of all donor contributions. 
• Lead quarterly alignment meetings with Finance, Communications, and Program teams to strengthen donor engagement and fundraising collaboration. 
• Oversee donor stewardship efforts, ensuring timely and personalized acknowledgment, communication, and engagement strategies.
• Work closely with Finance, Communications, and Program teams to align fundraising efforts, reconcile contributions, and ensure compliance.
• Support special events, campaign initiatives, and CRM-related troubleshooting to optimize fundraising operations.