Association of Fundraising Professionals
Assistant/Associate Director of Annual Giving & Campaigns
Association of Fundraising Professionals, Decorah, Iowa, United States, 52101
Assistant/Associate Director of Annual Giving & Campaigns
The Assistant/Associate Director of Annual Giving & Campaigns serves as the primary developer for leadership annual giving strategies, focusing on annual gifts of $1,500+ that strengthen the donor pipeline and advance institutional priorities. This position develops and manages cross‑functional programs that deepen alumni affinity and inspire increased annual support – most notably through reunion giving, athletics fundraising, and giving day matching challenges.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES Challenge sponsorship strategy and management (35%)
Collaborate with the Major Gifts and Annual Giving & Campaigns teams to manage and grow challenge sponsorships for Luther’s giving days (currently Giving Day and One Team Day).
Plan and implement class reunion giving campaigns. This includes collaborating with the Major Gifts team on identifying prospective challenge sponsors for various class reunions, soliciting unassigned donors, tracking and communicating progress, managing broad solicitations, and stewarding donors throughout each initiative.
Partner with the Engagement team to help manage the Signature Reunion volunteer committees; coordinate, recruit, and lead the volunteer committees in planning reunion programming to support the fundraising and participation goals of each campaign.
Develop additional affinity‑based campaigns that align with the Engagement team’s event calendar to deepen donor engagement and increase philanthropic investment in Luther’s mission.
Evaluate and analyze each challenge initiative with regard to revenue, ROI, donor upgrades and other metrics important to the Annual Giving & Campaigns team, providing data‑informed recommendations as shifts in strategy and approach are required.
Pipeline development (35%)
Serve as a frontline, digital fundraiser for mid‑level, unassigned donor inquiries and ad hoc initiatives, ensuring engagement and timely follow‑up via phone, email, and/or digital platforms.
Lead the annual Senior Giving Campaign to engage graduating seniors in philanthropy education and encourage continued alumni support after graduation.
Execute strategies for increasing leadership annual giving (annual gifts of $1,500+) for the College’s current and ongoing funding priorities through the development of sustainable initiatives. This may include the testing, implementation, and evaluation of a digital‑first, mid‑level giving program.
Qualify, solicit, and steward donor prospects with leadership annual gift potential.
Norse Athletic Association (20%)
Serve as the chief strategist for the Norse Athletic Association (NAA), including, but not limited to: business sponsorships, fundraising events, appeals, and donor stewardship.
Develop and maintain tracking systems that monitor and evaluate fundraising performance and provide data‑informed recommendations for continuous improvement.
Coordinate with the Director of Athletics and the Athletics department in managing the stewardship of donor gifts through the Norse Athletic Association, including the implementation of the NAA Business Sponsorship program.
Other duties as assigned (10%)
Participate in team meetings for the Annual Giving & Campaigns team, along with other meetings in the division and around campus in which this role will provide collaborative and cross‑team support.
Contribute to the overall success of the Advancement office through teamwork, collaboration and a commitment to continual learning and growth.
Document and refine practices for programs to support knowledge sharing and team efficiency.
Cultivate community relationships and professional networks that support Luther’s advancement, including by being able to represent the mission and vision of Luther College as a residential, Lutheran, liberal arts college.
Advance equity‑centered principles, practices, and learning within the Advancement division and across campus.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and SKILLS Education
Bachelor’s degree minimum; degree from a liberal‑arts college preferred.
Experience
Assistant Director: 1–3 years of experience in annual giving, development, volunteer management, or related field.
Associate Director: 3+ years of experience in annual giving, development, advancement services, or related field.
Skills/Abilities
Fundraising: Knowledge of philanthropic practices, emerging trends, and demonstrated success in developing revenue‑generating strategies through direct mail, online giving, and/or personal solicitation.
Project Management and Planning: Strong ability to manage complex projects, set priorities, and allocate resources to meet deadlines and outcomes.
Donor and Volunteer Engagement: Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals across the donor life cycle.
Communication: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to craft compelling messages and communicate authentically with diverse constituents.
Collaboration and Relationship building: Ability to work effectively with colleagues across the College, fostering trust, flexibility, and shared success.
Systems Proficiency: Knowledge of CRM systems and practices – particularly a willingness to learn Slate Advancement – and a strong working knowledge of Google office and shared drives for collaboration purposes.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT
Physical demands and environmental conditions: Work performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment. Involves sitting for a long period of time, standing, and walking in a well‑lit and well‑ventilated office.
This position may be required to work evenings and/or weekends as necessary to support Advancement events and programming.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES Challenge sponsorship strategy and management (35%)
Collaborate with the Major Gifts and Annual Giving & Campaigns teams to manage and grow challenge sponsorships for Luther’s giving days (currently Giving Day and One Team Day).
Plan and implement class reunion giving campaigns. This includes collaborating with the Major Gifts team on identifying prospective challenge sponsors for various class reunions, soliciting unassigned donors, tracking and communicating progress, managing broad solicitations, and stewarding donors throughout each initiative.
Partner with the Engagement team to help manage the Signature Reunion volunteer committees; coordinate, recruit, and lead the volunteer committees in planning reunion programming to support the fundraising and participation goals of each campaign.
Develop additional affinity‑based campaigns that align with the Engagement team’s event calendar to deepen donor engagement and increase philanthropic investment in Luther’s mission.
Evaluate and analyze each challenge initiative with regard to revenue, ROI, donor upgrades and other metrics important to the Annual Giving & Campaigns team, providing data‑informed recommendations as shifts in strategy and approach are required.
Pipeline development (35%)
Serve as a frontline, digital fundraiser for mid‑level, unassigned donor inquiries and ad hoc initiatives, ensuring engagement and timely follow‑up via phone, email, and/or digital platforms.
Lead the annual Senior Giving Campaign to engage graduating seniors in philanthropy education and encourage continued alumni support after graduation.
Execute strategies for increasing leadership annual giving (annual gifts of $1,500+) for the College’s current and ongoing funding priorities through the development of sustainable initiatives. This may include the testing, implementation, and evaluation of a digital‑first, mid‑level giving program.
Qualify, solicit, and steward donor prospects with leadership annual gift potential.
Norse Athletic Association (20%)
Serve as the chief strategist for the Norse Athletic Association (NAA), including, but not limited to: business sponsorships, fundraising events, appeals, and donor stewardship.
Develop and maintain tracking systems that monitor and evaluate fundraising performance and provide data‑informed recommendations for continuous improvement.
Coordinate with the Director of Athletics and the Athletics department in managing the stewardship of donor gifts through the Norse Athletic Association, including the implementation of the NAA Business Sponsorship program.
Other duties as assigned (10%)
Participate in team meetings for the Annual Giving & Campaigns team, along with other meetings in the division and around campus in which this role will provide collaborative and cross‑team support.
Contribute to the overall success of the Advancement office through teamwork, collaboration and a commitment to continual learning and growth.
Document and refine practices for programs to support knowledge sharing and team efficiency.
Cultivate community relationships and professional networks that support Luther’s advancement, including by being able to represent the mission and vision of Luther College as a residential, Lutheran, liberal arts college.
Advance equity‑centered principles, practices, and learning within the Advancement division and across campus.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE and SKILLS Education
Bachelor’s degree minimum; degree from a liberal‑arts college preferred.
Experience
Assistant Director: 1–3 years of experience in annual giving, development, volunteer management, or related field.
Associate Director: 3+ years of experience in annual giving, development, advancement services, or related field.
Skills/Abilities
Fundraising: Knowledge of philanthropic practices, emerging trends, and demonstrated success in developing revenue‑generating strategies through direct mail, online giving, and/or personal solicitation.
Project Management and Planning: Strong ability to manage complex projects, set priorities, and allocate resources to meet deadlines and outcomes.
Donor and Volunteer Engagement: Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals across the donor life cycle.
Communication: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to craft compelling messages and communicate authentically with diverse constituents.
Collaboration and Relationship building: Ability to work effectively with colleagues across the College, fostering trust, flexibility, and shared success.
Systems Proficiency: Knowledge of CRM systems and practices – particularly a willingness to learn Slate Advancement – and a strong working knowledge of Google office and shared drives for collaboration purposes.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS and WORK ENVIRONMENT
Physical demands and environmental conditions: Work performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment. Involves sitting for a long period of time, standing, and walking in a well‑lit and well‑ventilated office.
This position may be required to work evenings and/or weekends as necessary to support Advancement events and programming.
#J-18808-Ljbffr