Director of Annual Giving

Purpose: The Director of Annual Giving is responsible for leading and executing a comprehensive, multi-channel annual giving program designed to increase donor participation, engage a wide range of supporters, and meet annual fundraising goals for Holy Cross College. Reporting to the Vice President for Development, this role requires a strategic leader with a deep commitment to the College’s mission and values, demonstrated experience in annual giving, and the ability to cultivate strong, lasting donor relationships. The Director will manage initiatives aimed at acquiring, retaining, and upgrading donors, as well as making personal solicitations within the leadership annual giving pool. This position plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of philanthropy among alumni, parents, and friends of the College.

Essential Job Duties

• Program Development and Execution Design and implement a multi-channel annual giving program to meet specific revenue and participation goals, using direct mail, email, social media, web content, crowdfunding, and phone outreach. Set comprehensive annual fundraising goals, including objectives, budgets, and operational plans in alignment with the College’s mission and values. Work collaboratively with Advancement Services to manage data analysis and generate regular reports on annual giving activity.

Donor Engagement and Solicitation Engage, retain, and upgrade current donors while also identifying and cultivating new donors through data-driven strategies. Make personal solicitations to leadership-level annual giving prospects, with an annual goal of conducting a minimum number of face-to-face visits to build stronger donor relationships. Collaborate with the VP and other Advancement team members in identifying annual fund prospects for major gifts, working to move donors along the engagement continuum. Campaign and Event Management Lead and coordinate special annual giving initiatives, including Giving Days, employee giving campaigns, and targeted fundraising appeals. Support donor engagement events, including alumni and parent weekends and other college gatherings, to inspire philanthropic support and demonstrate impact. Communications and Marketing Oversee the creation of compelling and targeted communications materials in collaboration with internal and external resources, ensuring consistency with Holy Cross College’s messaging and branding. Use data and analytics to craft messaging tailored to different donor segments, enhancing the College’s outreach effectiveness. Leverage digital platforms and emerging trends in philanthropy to expand outreach and connect with a broader donor audience. Strategic Planning and Analysis Regularly analyze annual giving results and use key performance metrics to assess and improve program performance. Maintain a strong working knowledge of trends and best practices in annual giving and direct marketing within the higher education and nonprofit sectors. Other duties assigned to meet the needs of the department and College.  

Minimum Education, Skills, and Abilities:

• Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree required, with at least 2-5 years of experience in annual giving or development, preferably in higher education or a related nonprofit field. Demonstrated success in managing multi-channel annual giving campaigns and direct donor engagement.

Skills & Competencies Strong understanding of annual giving strategies, including donor acquisition, retention, and upgrade tactics. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with donors and key stakeholders. Proficiency in data analysis and experience using metrics to guide strategic fundraising decisions. High level of initiative, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to convey persuasive messaging effectively. Proficiency in using CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge) and digital fundraising tools is preferred. Demonstrated affinity for the mission of Holy Cross College and the ability to inspire others through commitment to its values and vision.