Associate Director of Annual Giving

Associate Director of Annual Giving

Graceland University has an opening for an Associate Director of Annual Giving. Reporting to the Senior Director for Advancement Services, this position will design, direct, and champion a best-practice, metrics-driven annual giving program which consistently engages and maximizes annual gift income from alumni, parents, and friends of Graceland University. This role ensures that annual giving is an integral component of the University's comprehensive fundraising campaigns, advancing Graceland Fund goals while increasing unrestricted support for the University's strategic operating needs.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required. Experience in annual giving, fundraising, marketing, communications, alumni relations, or a related field preferred. Demonstrated excellence in writing and communication is required.   Experience with direct mail, online giving, working with volunteer boards, and event planning beneficial. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

1. Increase unrestricted annual gift income from all sources, maintaining the highest possible return on investment for all annual giving initiatives, using personal solicitation, volunteer solicitation, direct mail, electronic solicitation, phonathons (if needed), social media, and other emergent methods. 
2. Work with vendors as the primary point of contact on direct mail, online, and social media strategies.
3. Maintain and increase the number of alumni who make gifts every year to Graceland. 
4. Communicate a compelling case for support for The Graceland Fund and the annual Day of Giving event to alumni, friends, students, and other constituents.
5. Develop, monitor, and adjust as needed a detailed, comprehensive plan to solicit all Graceland constituencies for The Graceland Fund every year using the channel that will work best for each. 
6. In partnership with Advancement Services, develop and maintain reports, dashboards, and performance metrics to monitor progress toward annual giving goals. Foster a collaborative relationship with Advancement Services to ensure program success. 
7. Evaluate and redesign Graceland's giving societies to ensure they provide "floors, not ceilings" for donors' giving aspirations and encourage continued annual support. Champion a best practice monthly giving program for alumni.
8. Cultivate a culture of philanthropy by educating current students and internal stakeholders about the impact and importance of charitable giving.
9. Partner with Major Gift Officers to integrate annual giving into donor strategies and solicitations for prospects in their portfolios, supporting both annual fund goals and campaign priorities.
10. Serve as the primary liaison for alumni and annual giving newsletters, ensuring they complement the alumni magazine. 
11. Develop and write compelling fundraising and alumni communications, including magazine articles, email newsletters, annual giving appeals, stewardship communications, and messaging supporting the President and Vice President for Institutional Advancement.