Summary:

The Assistant Director reports to the Director of Annual & Special Giving and is responsible for increasing leadership annual giving activity from alumni and friends. The assistant director initiates gift strategies, cultivates, and solicits prospects through personal outreach and written communication. The Assistant Director works closely with the Director of Annual & Special Giving to implement strategic approaches to increase membership in DePaul’s leadership giving society. The assistant director will also secure and work with alumni volunteers interested in supporting fundraising efforts for DePaul. All of these efforts will be done in support of DePaul’s goal of increasing alumni participation.

This is a newly-created position within the department of Annual & Special Giving. The Assistant Director will have an understanding of all aspects of annual giving and will support other departmental efforts as appropriate.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Individual giving and solicitation (60%)
  • Actively manage a prospect portfolio with annual goals for visits, personal contacts, and giving outcomes (donors and dollars)
  • Implement appropriate identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies in securing leadership annual gifts of $1,000 or more
  • Articulate the case for support with effectiveness; communicate the priorities, goals and mission of the university and solicit feedback for improved alumni/donor relationships
• Giving society membership and management (30%)
  • Working closely with the Director of Annual & Special Giving and the Donor Relations department, plan and implement creative, engaging and effective fundraising communications for the 1898 Society (DePaul’s leadership giving society), with a goal of growing membership and ensuring retention
  • Upgrade individual donors to ensure their membership in the 1898 Society
  • Work with Advancement staff who secure gifts of $1,000 or more to ensure department-wide engagement of 1898 Society as a tool to engage donors and prospects
• Strategy (10%)
  • Develop and implement an annual plan to achieve donor and dollar goals for membership in the 1898 Society in coordination with the yearly Annual & Special Giving department plan
  • Develop and implement strategies related to securing leadership gifts for signature DePaul giving opportunities, like the Blue Demon Challenge

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education and experience; individual giving or volunteer management experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2-4 years of higher education individual giving experience
• A proven track record of securing financial support from a diverse base of donors An understanding of DePaul University’s mission, values and culture

Other Required Skills and Abilities:

• Strong persuasive verbal and written communication skills