| Job Summary/Basic Function |
The Central State University Foundation is seeking a full-time Director of Development to support fundraising campaigns and donor relationship management. Key responsibilities include donor database management and CRM integration; annual giving pipeline growth and retention; donor appreciation efforts; planning fundraising events; cultivating new, current and former donors to encourage ongoing contributions; seeking out opportunities for financial support through grants and sponsorships; and annual giving initiatives including Central State Day of Giving. Other key activities include development marketing and community outreach.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Study and understand the history, structure, objectives, programs and financial needs of the University. Act as primary point of contact for funding, donations and fundraising event inquiries.
- Direct the development and implementation of policies, procedures and strategies for fundraising activities. Manage budgets for individual giving, major gifts initiatives, and fundraising events tracking expenses and revenue.
- Maintain positive relationships with donors, alumni, and other stakeholders. Foster strong donor and sponsor stewardship; Creates and distributes donor acknowledgements.
- Collaborate with executive management on identification of fundraising goals.
- Develop and implement plans for capital and major fundraising initiatives. Implement annual appeals to individual donors to meet budgeted goals.
- Implement and monitor a comprehensive fundraising plan to expand philanthropic support of the organization including using income and expense cycles to guide fundraising campaign decisions.
- Prepare development communications including the design, writing and printing of brochures, newsletters, donor communications and annual reports.
- Lead development of direct mail, donor-related materials, overseeing fundraising sections of website and newsletter and securing donor testimonials.
- Oversee process for tracking donor gifts and acknowledgments and managing donor database.
- Lead design and implementation development marketing programs and special events to maximize prospect/donor engagement
- Implement marketing strategies that will create a climate conducive to major giving and increase the number of major planned gifts and estate commitments.
- Maintain and develop donor database through Raiser’s Edge and Banner to optimize fundraising opportunities.
- Engage in networking at selected community and leadership events.
- Develop high-quality sponsorship and/or donor gift solicitation proposals meeting standards of readability, consistency, and tone. Present donor gift solicitation proposals in creative formats.
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| Minimum Qualifications |
- Work with members of the Marketing and Communications team to grow the university’s base for individual giving (annual giving) and other unrestricted funding by evaluating current individual giving activities and developing/implementing growth strategies.
- Provide strategic participation and leadership with the Development team to manage individual giving activities, including donor cultivation and stewardship, direct mail and promoting new planned giving programs.
- Working with Development Marketing Coordinator, provide strategic input and assistance with the identification and pursuit of new sources of unrestricted funding through donor-related events, social media opportunities, cause-marketing initiatives, product sales, mobile giving and special fundraising events.
- Provide backup presence to Vice President for Institutional Advancement/Executive Director of
- Central State University Foundation on occasion for corporate initiatives
- Stay up to date with relevant laws and regulations governing fundraising activities to ensure compliance.
- Conduct prospect research and identify potential major donors and high net worth individuals for cultivation and solicitation.
- Attend various conferences as required focused on corporate/individual fundraising.
- Attend seminars, conferences, workshops, classes, lectures, etc., as appropriate to enhance and maintain knowledge of trends and developments in the field of database management, with specific emphasis on use of university information management systems
- Accomplish organizational goals by accepting ownership, working with a team, and exploring opportunities to add value to organization
- US based travel is required as needed for this position, including attending conferences and potentially speaking with stakeholders.
- Other duties as assigned.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required. Minimum of 3-years’ experience in development, general fundraising or comparable and transferable skills acquired in a professional setting, including the demonstrated completion of revenue-generating campaigns.
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, to analyze and solve complex problems, and to exercise sound judgment.
- Understanding of donor market, willingness to research markets outside of Ohio and nationally
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills; ability to engage in strategic planning and process improvement.
- Strong entrepreneurial attitude including drive for results and proven ability to stay focused on goals; ability to prioritize competing priorities and meet deadlines
- Strong organizational skills, ability to follow processes and attention to detail
- Strong written communication and presentation skills. Excellent communication skills, including verbal, written, and public speaking.
- Creativity and a strong sense of integrity are important.
- The ability to create and implement systems and processes.
- Strong computer and Internet proficiency, including but not limited to Microsoft Office, Google G-Suite, social media tools, and database applications.
- Experience working in a fast paced, quick turnaround environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, together with the ability to work collaboratively and courteously with external partners.
- High professional and ethical standards for handling confidential information
- Strong team player.
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