Assistant/Associate Director, Annual Giving

Job Description

This is a frontline fundraising position on the Annual Giving team. The position reports to the Director, Annual Giving and raises leadership gifts ($1,000 or more) for the Chapman Fund, the university’s unrestricted fund. The Chapman Fund provides flexible, unrestricted resources that support student scholarships, innovative academic programming, and strategic university priorities.

As part of the development team, this position collaborates with members of the Chapman community, including parents, alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and students. The role will also collaborate with the offices of Corporate and Foundation Relations, Legacy Planning, Donor Relations, Prospect Research and Management, Schools and Colleges, Alumni Engagement, Parent Engagement, and Advancement Systems and Operations.

Responsibilities

Fundraising:

Serve as a frontline fundraiser, managing a portfolio of 200-225 leadership prospects.

Meet or exceed established monthly and annual goals for leadership-level gifts ($1,000+), as set by the Director of Annual Giving and UA leadership.

Achieve or surpass engagement metrics, including portfolio coverage, number of substantive contacts, and donor retention and acquisition benchmarks.

Partner with the Director of Annual Giving and the Prospect Research and Management team to develop and implement strategies to secure gifts from donors and prospects.

Utilize the university’s moves management system to track and advance relationships through all fundraising stages: identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Work effectively with internal and external university constituents.

Effectively grow the Chapman Fund donor pool of parents, alumni, staff, faculty, and friends by soliciting new donors, increasing the number of leadership donors, and securing donations from lapsed donors.

Engage assigned prospects in university events and programs.

Deliver a personalized and high-touch experience to prospective and current donors, ensuring meaningful engagement and donor satisfaction.

Actively participate in strategy meetings and conversations with other Chapman Fund team members.

Stewardship:

Through portfolio management, ensure appropriate and timely stewardship practices are applied for each donor (i.e. named scholarship reports, impact reports, handwritten thank you notes, etc.).

General Administrative:

Assist with the planning and execution of the President’s Circle stewardship (i.e. mailings, data updates, events, etc.).

Assist in the implementation of and participate in various engagement efforts.

Plan, coordinate, and implement multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.

Assist as needed in any and all University Advancement events (i.e., Homecoming, Parent Spring Summit, alumni events, Commencement, etc.).

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Assistant Director: Requires a minimum of two years of frontline fundraising experience, preferably in higher education, hospitals, or a non-profit setting.

Associate Director: Requires a minimum of five years of progressive frontline fundraising experience, with a proven track record of securing leadership-level gifts of $25,000 or more.

Bachelor’s degree required.

Demonstrated understanding of principles and practices of annual fundraising.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact and work with individuals and groups at all organizational levels, both inside and outside of the University.

Ability to develop and maintain relationships with prospects.

Experience in drafting compelling donor proposals, impact reports, and stewardship communications tailored to prospects’ interests.

Ability to analyze and use data to inform strategy and measure effectiveness of outreach and solicitation efforts.

Proven ability to plan, coordinate, and implement multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.

Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy and maintain a high level of confidentiality and customer service.

Ability to work independently, take initiative, and exercise discretion and judgment.

Strong ability to pay careful attention to detail.

Ability and commitment to provide strong personalized service and teamwork.

Strong technical skills to learn and use enterprise systems, the University’s CRM, and other databases needed for the position.

Computer skills utilizing Microsoft Office Suite Applications.

Ability to learn and comply with all University policies and procedures, as well as relevant laws, rules, and regulations, including FERPA and best practices.Company Description

Chapman University is a nationally ranked institution offering traditional undergraduate and graduate programs in the heart of Orange County, one of Southern California’s most diverse and vibrant regions. The university achieved R2 status in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a distinction held by just 10 percent of all U.S. universities.

Chapman University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, marital status or sexual orientation in the administration of its education policies or any other policies or programs administered by the university.

Full-time