Assistant / Associate Director, Annual Giving (Class and Signature Fundraising)

Professional Experience/ Qualifications

• A minimum of two years of professional experience in fundraising, alumni relations, sales, marketing, event planning, non-profit organizations, and/or related fields. Significant volunteer and/or internship experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing programs and meeting measurable goals.
• Experience or aptitude for measuring success and reporting on programs with quantitative and qualitative data.
• Must be able to work collegially and effectively with a diverse group of alumni, students, faculty, and staff on a daily basis.
• Enthusiastic commitment to advancing the University’s mission.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications.
• Providing staff support for Colgate’s annual Reunion Weekend is a requirement of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional and/or volunteer experience with fundraising, alumni relations, and/or related fields in a higher education setting.
• Experience motivating internal and external stakeholders to achieve mutual goals.
• Appointment at the Associate Director level requires at least four years of professional experience in fundraising, alumni relations, sales, marketing, event planning, non-profit organizations, and/or related fields.
• Experience with strategic planning.

Education

A Bachelor’s degree or a combination of education and experience from which comparable skills have been obtained is required.

Department Statement

Founded in 1819, Colgate is a small, highly selective residential liberal arts college for students of talent who are preparing for lives of leadership and productive citizenship. Colgate University enjoys a strong tradition of philanthropy and engagement and is currently engaged in a historic comprehensive campaign with a goal of $1B. To date, the Campaign for the Third Century has raised $630M toward this goal.

The Annual Giving team is dedicated to cultivating and expanding a robust pipeline of donors, with a primary focus on increasing alumni participation and fostering giving at the Presidents’ Circle level, as well as growing support through women’s philanthropy and parent philanthropy. We aim to support the Colgate Fund’s goal by utilizing a multi-channel approach that equips volunteers, staff, and frontline fundraisers with the necessary resources to engage and inspire support.
Our strategy is organized around key programs designed to foster a strong culture of giving and ensure continued success. These include:

• Marketing: Creating compelling campaigns to engage current and potential donors.
• Class Gift Committees: Encouraging class-level giving through coordinated efforts.
• Reunion Philanthropy: Engaging alumni around reunion milestones to strengthen philanthropic ties.
• Annual Giving Recognition Societies: Recognizing significant levels of giving through the 1819 Circle and the Presidents’ Circle.
• Undergraduate Philanthropy: Instilling a spirit of giving in current students to create lifelong donors.
• The Colgate Fund: Supporting the university’s financial needs through annual gifts from a diverse base of donors.

Through these initiatives, the Annual Giving team works to create lasting relationships that will continue to fuel Colgate’s mission and growth for generations to come.

Accountabilities

The Assistant/Associate Director, Annual Giving (Class and Signature Fundraising focus) is responsible for the development and implementation of fundraising initiatives related to alumni classes and affinity groups. Specific responsibilities include:

Class Fundraising

• Develop and implement gift committee volunteer strategy, which includes recruitment, retention and training of 600+ class-based volunteers
• Develop and implement overall annual giving reunion fundraising strategy
• Lead 25th and 50th fundraising efforts

Signature Fundraising

• Develop and implement affinity based fundraising strategy
• Develop and implement strategy for giving challenges
• Develop and implement strategy for fall and spring appeals

Job Open Date
02/10/2025

Job Close Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

Special Instructions Summary

EEO Statement

The University recognizes that equal employment opportunity can only be achieved through demonstrated leadership. It is the Policy of the University to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and train employees on the basis of merit, ability, and valid job qualifications without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable local, state or federal laws.
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