General Function

The incumbent in this job is expected to assist the College in achieving its vision and mission. Customer focus, college service, and a willingness to assist as needed are expectations for all employees.

Plans and implements the annual giving program which includes leading year-round solicitations and campaigns to diverse constituents to identify, qualify, and solicit donors. Develops strategies and campaigns (alumni, employee, retiree, volunteer leadership, community friends) to secure contributions and manages stewardship of annual donors in recognizing their support.
 

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

1.  Articulates the case for support with effectiveness; communicates the priorities, goals, and mission of the College.

2.  Develops and executes an annual giving solicitation plan for the fiscal year that includes fundraising strategies aimed at donors and prospects (alumni, employee, retiree, volunteer leadership, community friends) with the capacity to make gifts of up to $25,000.

3.  Cultivates, solicits, and stewards donors and prospects through targeted appeals and campaigns, individual meetings, and written appeals.

4.  Manages a portfolio of annual giving prospects and helps qualify prospective major donors.

5.  Plans and oversees annual giving and alumni engagement activities and stewardship events.

6.  Devises appropriate next steps for leadership annual giving prospects which may include personally soliciting a gift, recommending further engagement through other programs, or recommending a major gift officer to cultivate the relationship.

7.  Manages and serves as the contact for information about the alumni, Board, employee/retiree campaign, and digital campaigns such as Giving Tuesday and Founder’s Day. Manages President’s Society and plans its stewardship activities and events.

8.  Works with donors and Central Piedmont programs in designating gifts such as memorial/honorary gifts, student scholarships, and special project or program initiatives.

9.  Develops a schedule and marketing plan for donor acquisitions and renewals. Works with the Foundation Team to coordinate the schedule and strategies for annual giving appeals and direct mail. This includes actively supporting creative concepts, writing and editing appeal content, and overseeing mailing procedures.

10. Participates in developing supporting communication strategies for internal and external audiences. Edits content for Foundation website and social media around annual giving activity.

11. Recruits and trains volunteers as needed to cultivate, solicit, and steward annual giving contributions.

12. Works with the Foundation team to identify and segment data for appeals and special projects, as well as produce database reports and queries to track campaigns and appeals status. Analyzes data and makes appropriate adjustments to activities and programs to ensure strong results. Monitors and reports on trends in annual giving donor activity, focusing on donor retention and building annual giving and alumni donor base. Generates reports needed for presidential and board updates.

13. Serves as an active and collaborative team member in College Advancement, which includes participating in appropriate College and Foundation events and responding to inquiries/requests for fundraising support from College programs.

14. Contributes to the overall strategic plan for the Office of Institutional Advancement as it relates to Annual Giving.

15. Performs other related duties as assigned.
 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Characteristics

Volunteer management techniques;
Knowledge of Association of Fundraising Professionals code of ethical conduct, National Committee on Planned Giving ethical practices and the Donor Bill of Rights;
Policy and procedure development and administration.

Skill in:
Organization and attention to detail;

Building collaborative working relationships and lasting donor relationships;

Utilizing data and assessment outcomes for communication and making continuous improvements for programs and services;

Computer proficiency in using standard software programs and fundraising databases (Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge), including utilizing database reports.

Ability to:
Handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion;

Support volunteer committees;

Manage and execute successful donor cultivation and fundraising events within the context of annual giving campaigns;

Communicate effectively in oral and written format;

Work independently and as part of the Foundation team to set priorities;

 Manage multiple projects simultaneously with competing deadlines;

Work with internal and external partners, volunteers, donors, faculty, staff, and students from diverse communities with respect and attention to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.