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Leadership Giving Administrator for Athletics

Ferris State University
Big Rapids, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 20 Feb 2026
💰 $58,000/yr($52,000/yr$58,000/yr)

About the role

Position Title: Leadership Giving Administrator for Athletics   Location: Big Rapids (Main Campus)   Department:

71401 - Annual Giving Philanthropy Officer

  Advertised Salary: $52,000-$58,000. Salary commensurate with education, experiences and other requirements.    Benefits:

Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.

Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans

  FLSA: Exempt   Temporary/Continuing:  Continuing   Part-Time/Full-Time: Full-Time   Union Group: N/A   Term of Position: 12 Month   At Will/Just Cause: Just Cause   Summary of Position: Ferris State University is seeking applications for a Leadership Giving Administrator for Athletics to identify, cultivate, and develop relationships with donors to secure funding for Ferris State University Athletics and the University. This position will have a dual reporting structure, reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement within the Ferris Foundation and to the Director of Athletics at Ferris State University.   Position Type: Staff   Required Education: Bachelor’s degree   Required Work Experience: Three or more years of fundraising, account management, sales and/or related work in relationship building.   Required Licenses and Certifications:     Physical Demands:
  • Office Environment
  • Bending
  • Carrying
  • Moving
  • Reaching
  • Sitting
  • Twisting
  • Driving
  • Repetitive movement
  • Standing
  Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered: Demonstrated knowledge of, or experience working in, college athletics.   Essential Duties/Responsibilities: • Develops and delivers targeted fundraising and communication programs and materials specific to gift contributions in alignment with strategic initiatives.
• Develops and updates prospect portfolios, evaluates existing strategy, and recommends improvements to leadership.
• Serves as a unit liaison to internal and external constituencies, provides information, and represents the interests of the institution.
• Identifies, promotes, and maintains donor relationships and identifies solicitation opportunities specifically designed for the generation of gifts to reach capital campaign and program funding goals.
• Discover, engage, and maintain a portfolio of donors in the region, state, and country with an interest in supporting Ferris State University Athletics and Ferris State University.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Ferris State Athletics and University Advancement, ensuring alignment of messaging, strategy, and donor engagement efforts.
• Provide a fundraising strategy for NIL supportive projects and scholarships.
• Engage in a minimum of 140 meetings a year and raising (both originating and collaborating on) at least $800K - $1M in gifts per year.
• Maintain active portfolios of donors and record all engagement, in a timely manner, in Raisers Edge.
• Write effective solicitation letters and proposals and work collaboratively with peers in other fundraising areas including gift planning, athletics development, school development and organizational giving to maximize fundraising productivity. This includes leadership, annual, and major gifts that contribute to Ferris State University Athletics and Ferris State University priorities.
• Coordinate and host donors at events (President’s Box and other University events), under the supervision of the AVP for Advancement, to enhance Ferris State University Athletics and Ferris State University; and provide alumni, donors, and friends a vehicle to build pride and brand awareness of Ferris State University Athletics and Ferris State University.
• Conduct meetings with prospects to develop donor relationships.
• Partner with Annual Giving and Advancement Operations to enhance the leadership annual giving pipeline by identifying current donors who would be a candidate for increase in giving.
• Partner with Foundation & Alumni Association colleagues to identify alumni and impact stories to increase pride and knowledge of the power of philanthropy at Ferris State University.
• Work collaboratively with Ferris State University Athletics, including coaches and faculty, to foster an engaged community of supporters for Ferris State University Athletics and Ferris State University.
• Travel will be expected, as needed, to meet with potential donors.

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Company

Ferris State University

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