Director of Annual Giving

Description

Summary 

The Director of Annual Giving is responsible for leading a comprehensive annual giving strategy with a strong emphasis on donor retention, participation growth, and long-term donor value. This role develops and executes multi-channel campaigns that engage alumni, parents, and friends, while building a sustainable pipeline of annual donors. Through thoughtful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, the Director works to retain and upgrade donors, increasing annual gift commitments typically ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 and positioning donors for deeper philanthropic investment.

The Director plays a key role in strengthening participation and donor retention and advancing qualified prospects into the major gift pipeline. This position collaborates closely with advancement colleagues across development, alumni engagement, communications, and advancement services to support the College’s philanthropic priorities and long-term fundraising goals.

Essential Responsibilities

Annual Giving Strategy & Campaign Management

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual giving strategy focused on growing unrestricted support from alumni, parents, and friends.
• Lead the development, implementation, and achievement of annual goals for donor participation, retention, and revenue growth, with a focus on strengthening the donor pipeline.
• Coordination of multi-channel fundraising campaigns including direct mail, social media, and giving days.

Leadership Annual Giving

• Develop initiatives that encourage upgrades, renewals, and engagement with leadership-giving societies.
• Cultivate and solicit leadership-level annual gifts typically ranging from $1,000 to $25,000.
• Manage a portfolio of leadership annual giving donors and prospects through strategic relationship-building and solicitation.

Donor Pipeline Development

• Identify, research, and qualify prospects through data analysis, events, and discovery visits.
• Design strategies to move donors from participation-level to leadership-level support.

Major Gift Pipeline Collaboration

• Work closely with Major Gift Officers to transition qualified donors into the major gift portfolio.
• Support coordinated moves management to maximize donor engagement and long-term philanthropic growth.

Data & Performance Management

• Track donor engagement, campaign performance, and pipeline activity using NXT the College’s advancement CRM system.
• Analyze giving trends and campaign results to refine strategy and improve performance.
• Maintain accurate documentation of donor interactions and fundraising activity.

Collaboration & Engagement

• Partner with alumni engagement and communications teams to integrate fundraising messaging into engagement opportunities.
• Collaborate with advancement services to ensure accurate reporting, segmentation, and donor stewardship.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in annual giving, annual giving, or frontline fundraising in higher education or a nonprofit organization.
• Demonstrated success in managing comprehensive annual giving programs and securing leadership-level gifts, with experience in a higher education setting preferred.
• Proven ability to analyze data, evaluate fundraising programs, and make data-driven recommendations for program enhancements.
• Experience in developing and implementing communication and stewardship strategies to effectively engage alumni and donors.
• A willingness to work some evenings and weekends as required for donor events and fundraising activities.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook, with preferred experience in Microsoft Excel and fundraising CRM systems such as Blackbaud NXT, demonstrating a strong ability to utilize data and technology to inform and drive fundraising strategies.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team, build effective relationships, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality in managing donor relationships and sensitive information.
• Strong analytical skills to assess donor engagement metrics and the effectiveness of fundraising initiatives.

Physical Requirements

• Requi