Reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement & Alumni Affairs, the Director of The Heidelberg Fund will develop and implement strategies to ensure the success and growth of a $1M+ comprehensive annual giving program as an integral component of Heidelberg University’s overall institutional advancement program. This includes outreach efforts to alumni and friends, trustees, faculty, staff, parents, current students, corporations and businesses. This position will lead all annual giving tasks including: developing marketing strategies; making personal visits; supporting fundraising planning efforts; working with volunteers and students; evaluating solicitation outcomes and researching tactics.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Report directly to the VP UAAA. Work closely with other members of the UAAA team as needed.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: The Director of The Heidelberg Fund will be responsible for the achievement of the goals of the annual giving program, and will supervise student employees assigned to Phonathon and other programs.
Represent Heidelberg University in the successful preparation, coordination, execution and evaluation of the annual giving program.
Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward alumni, parents and friends of the University in support of the annual fund through direct mail solicitations, e-mail solicitations, social media, crowdfunding, telephone contact, and management of a small portfolio of prospects to achieve annual goals. Develop new segmentation strategies to increase donor count and dollars raised.
Develop the constituent goals for the annual fund and solicitation strategies in consultation with the VP UAAA and the Executive Director of Alumni Engagement and Major Gifts.
Manage the Phonathon efforts and call leads, and analyze the statistics of these efforts. Hire, train, coach and motivate student employees, including student managers.
Plan, execute and steward the yearly Faculty and Staff Giving Campaign.
Promote gift societies and respective giving levels to new donors. Oversee the growth and retention of the University’s Leadership giving society, Presidential Fellows. Manage a small portfolio of Presidential Fellow prospects.
Enhance student philanthropy education and student fundraising efforts with special focus given to the senior class gift. Creatively expand outreach to undergraduates and young graduates on the importance of philanthropic engagement.
Develop focused and detailed strategies to increase awareness of and gifts to the annual fund, especially for the first three years for new donors and lapsed donors. Develop and implement a strategic plan to secure first-time and recurring gifts from parents.
Prepare an Annual Fund Calendar to track appeals, cultivation opportunities and stewardship events.
Provide monthly annual reporting and benchmarking, including analysis of giving information and research into peer institutions to examine and track the success of our plan. Compile and evaluate the outcome of all solicitations with data from previous years.
Coordinate Berg Days of Summer with Athletics and Advancement Services.
Work closely with Marketing and Communication Services on social media, outreach, publications and e-solicitation. Develop marketing strategies in consultation with vendors and The Office of Marketing & Communication Services for direct mail and electronic solicitation.
Utilize Advancement Services to achieve and advance the goals of The Heidelberg Fund. Work collaboratively to generate mailing lists, strategic solicitations, and optimal stewardship of annual fund donors.
Work with UAM team members and others for overall success of Heidelberg University alumni engagement and fundraising.
Engage, communicate and work collaboratively and respectfully with students, faculty, staff and other members of the greater Heidelberg University community.
Other responsibilities as assigned by the VP UAAA.
- Bachelor’s degree; and,
- Two (2) to three (3) years successful experience in a college or university development operation; and,
- Experience working with an integrated database like Banner or other CRM.
- Five (5) or more years successful experience in annual fundraising for higher education; and,
- Experience with Banner, our integrated database.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Understanding of Advancement work, including alumni/volunteer management, fundraising and campaign strategies.
- Skilled in annual unrestricted or restricted giving.
- Must demonstrate analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
- Creative thinker and problem solver.
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Exceptional motivation and creativity.
- Ability to manage several projects simultaneously.
- Ability to relate to diverse cross-sections of individuals.
- Ability to work independently and with a team.
- Ability to travel as needed or required, work evenings and weekends as needed.
- Budget management skills.
For consideration, complete the online application.