Associate Director of Development-CTAHR and Lyon Arboretum

About the University of Hawai‘i Foundation:

The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation was established in 1955 to encourage private support for the University of Hawaiʻi. Today it is the central fundraising organization for the UH System and is contracted by the Board of Regents to be the sole provider of fundraising and alumni services. In addition to fundraising, the Foundation manages more than 7000 gift accounts for the benefit of the university and its students.

The UH Foundation is a private, institutionally related corporation designated as a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service. It is a legally separate entity from the University of Hawaiʻi, the UH Alumni Association, and all other UH affiliates. However, the UH Foundation works closely with these organizations, as well as with others in the community, exclusively for the benefit of the university.

Our Vision

To inspire giving and partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi by fostering UH pride and passion among donors, alumni and the community.

Our Mission

To unite donors' passions with the University of Hawaiʻi's aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawaiʻi and our future generations.

Our Values

Our values shape our relationships and guide our thinking and actions. By living our values, we build trust with our fellow employees, our donors, the university and the broader community.

Position Summary:

The Associate Director of Development, CTAHR and Lyon Arboretum (Associate Director) is a key member of the University of Hawai‘i Foundation (UHF) Development team, primarily focused on identifying, engaging and soliciting prospective donors for major and leadership gifts that support the vision of the Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR) and the Director of Lyon Arboretum. The Associate Director will close gifts and steward donors so that the positive and mutually beneficial relationships continue. 

Based at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa campus, the Associate Director may need to visit areas of the University campus, as well as locations in and around O‘ahu. The Associate Director may need to work weekends or evenings and may exceed a 40-hour work week to fulfill the demands of the position. The Associate Director must be able and willing to travel interisland or nationally upon request.

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Development and Fundraising (100%)
  1. Build and actively manage a portfolio of 75-80 major gift prospects, including those identified by the Associate Director and those assigned by the Senior Director, the Dean and the Director.  
  2. Identify, cultivate and solicit prospective donors for major gifts of $25,000 and above.   The Associate Director is expected to make appointments for personal visits with major gift prospects that ultimately lead to gift solicitations.
  3. Annual and campaign goals are set by UHF in coordination with University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. These include goals related to the number of new prospects, number of visits, number of solicitations, and gifts raised.
  4. Participate actively and consistently in the UHF Prospect Management Process: file timely (monthly) prospect clearance requests for cultivation and solicitation; provide monthly schedules of prospect appointment; file timely (monthly) contact reports on prospects; communicate with all team members on each assigned prospect; develop written strategies and adhere to scheduled strategy for the cultivation and closing of major gifts.
  5. Develop a clear understanding of CTAHR and Lyon Arboretum, its strengths and philanthropic opportunities; develop cooperative working relationships with faculty, staff, and administrators.
  6. Steward current and past donors to the unit’s programs, to assure ongoing involvement and increased giving.
  7. Work as a positive and productive member of the UHF Development Team for the benefit of the total University.
  8. Work closely with constituents to ensure effective coordination of effort with their programs and activities in creating and implementing major gift prospect strategies.
  9. Assist with additional development functions as assigned.

 Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Two or more years of progressive experience in non-profit, preferably an alum, development, educational or membership organization is preferred.
• Experience and demonstrated success in developing major gift strategies, soliciting and closing gifts and developing recommendations for stimulating interest in the organization’s program is preferred. 
• Must possess a valid driver’s license as well as pass a background check including driving record