The Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship is a creative and data-inspired leader within the Ball State University Foundation. Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Strategy, the Director works to foster lasting relationships with the university’s benefactors and has a goal to increase donor retention. This individual will design, implement and manage an institution-wide comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program that appropriately and consistently promotes interaction with and recognition of Ball State’s more than 25,000 annual donors.

The director will join a dedicated, award-winning team, contribute to the Ball State Foundation’s growth, and will play a critical role in identifying opportunities to increase donor retention and ultimately dollars raised to support the University.

As a visionary leader on the Strategy team, the director will execute a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship plan, move key donors through the pipeline, educate campus partners about their role in impactful acknowledgments, connect top-tier donors with students, and increase retention overall. The director will join an award-winning team dedicated to creative pursuits that increase philanthropy and engagement at Ball State University.

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Plan and implement a Foundation-wide donor relations program that recognizes all donors from those making a first gift, to sustainers, to leadership annual donors, to those who make the ultimate lifetime gift. Set clear, easy-to-follow policies that ensure best practices are understood and are being met. Write communications based on tiered recognition of all donors. Manage giving societies under $25,000.
• Develop detailed stewardship plans for major donors, specific to their unique relationship with the University. Foster relationships with gift officers, produce stewardship plans and track milestones. Design/compose personalized major donor thank you letters and videos on behalf of the Ball State President and Foundation President.
• Increase the retention of first time donors and consecutive year donors annually.
• Manage annual endowed fund and scholarship reporting processes using BAM and other tools. Project manage the creation of the Foundation’s annual fund reports and the annual report. Partner with colleagues and campus on the successful execution of the project.
• Build comprehensive plan and execute campus-wide Thank a Donor Day donor recognition event.
• Draft and execute a plan for a One Ball State Day donor acknowledgment plan including real-time thank you’s, follow up recognition videos, donor stickers, pennants and more.
• Formulate and oversee a donor relations plan for campus partners to ensure the timeliness of donor acknowledgments, the following of best practices, increased impact-specific thank you’s and more. Respond to campus partner inquiries and ensure the appropriate university and Foundation partners are notified.
• Supervise Assistant Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship by planning, assigning, and reviewing appropriate responsibilities and workload.
• Follow trends and bring inspiration from other areas to create a leading donor relations and stewardship program. Use benchmarking, analysis and peer to peer outreach to ensure the donor relations program is suitable for donors at all levels. Foster relationships with peer institutions, attend webinars and stay abreast of best practices.
• Perform other related duties as assigned. This may include assisting with signature events.

Minimum Education: 

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Minimum Experience: 

At least three years of experience in stewardship, donor relations, communications, public relations, fundraising or related field, preferably in an educational setting and/or in higher ed university advancement.

Minimum Other: 

Excellent verbal and creative writing skills. Proven record of developing comprehensive communication strategies and initiatives. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and be insurable under the university’s auto fleet policy.

Preferred Education: 

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Experience: 

Five or more years of experience in advancement/fundraising, donor relations, stewardship, marketing, public relations, or related experience; Proven abilities in fundraising and/or donor relations best practices. Experience in analyzing data to benefit strategy and decision-making. Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.

Ball State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other legally protected status.

Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana, on an attractive campus 45 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Approximately 22,000 graduate and undergraduate students enroll in one of eight academic colleges that offer 120 undergraduate programs. We offer more than 140 master’s, doctoral, certificate, and specialist degrees, with many of them ranking among the best in the nation. We engage students in educational, research, and creative endeavors that empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives enriched by lifelong learning and service, while we enhance the economic, environmental, and social vitality of our community, our state, and our world.