Director, Annual Giving

Posted on 10/15/2026

Kalamazoo College

Kalamazoo, MI

Position summary: 

As the subject-matter expert and leader for Kalamazoo College’s annual giving program, oversee  strategy development and execution and monitor and assess performance for all annual fund  initiatives, including the Kalamazoo College Fund (KCF), Hornet Athletics Association (HAA),  and other priority fundraising efforts. Keeping a primary focus on unrestricted giving, lead the  creation of annual and longer-term plans for annual giving to drive revenue growth, retain and  expand the donor base, and strengthen the pipeline for major and planned giving. Ensure that  these annual giving plans support the Advancement division’s overall strategies. 

Lead the charge to add more personal solicitation to annual giving’s mix of channels, beginning  with an effort to grow members of the 1833 Society. Personally solicit prospective donors for  leadership-level gifts through the Kalamazoo College Fund with targeted goals to be achieved  annually. 

Manage and develop the annual giving staff (currently 2.5 FTEs). Plan and partner with other  areas, including development, donor relations, alumni engagement, college marketing &  communications (CMAC), and advancement services, to maximize annual giving results and  support their goals and objectives as well. 

Primary responsibilities: 

Management and Leadership 

  • Serve as the team leader and subject-matter expert for annual giving. Provide regular  progress and result updates to the AVP, Constituent Programs and Annual Giving, other  Advancement leaders, and key volunteers. 
  • Translate high-level strategy and goals set by Advancement leadership into clear, actionable  plans, timelines, and performance metrics. 
  • Manage the annual giving budget. 
  • Lead the design, execution, analysis, and continuous improvement of all annual fund  programs and strategies. Provide day-to-day management and ensure strong execution  focused on goal achievement. 
  • Supervise and develop annual giving staff and foster a team environment focused on collaboration with staff and volunteers, strengthening constituents’ relationships with the  College through annual giving, achieving fundraising results, and pursuing continuous  improvement. 

Strategy Development and Execution 

  • Use data, segmentation, and performance analytics to optimize campaigns, improve donor  acquisition and retention, and maximize return on investment. 
  • Develop and implement comprehensive annual giving plans, including KCF, HAA, and other  targeted funds, across all channels (direct mail, digital, social, giving days, peer-to-peer  outreach, and staff solicitations) to achieve revenue and donor goals.

Rev. 10/26 

  • Regularly evaluate program performance and recommend refinements and innovations,  elevating significant strategy shifts or investments for senior leadership review and approval. 

Leadership Giving Efforts 

  • Oversee leadership annual giving strategy (i.e., 1833 Society), including acquisition,  retention, upgrade, and stewardship efforts in coordination with frontline fundraisers. • Manage a portfolio of leadership and emerging leadership annual fund donors and  prospective donors through all prospect stages (qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and  stewardship) and with a focus on growing donor engagement and upgrading their giving  levels. Target goals to be set each year in collaboration with the Assistant Vice President. • Oversee volunteer engagement strategies for class agents, peer solicitors, and other  volunteers to grow donors and dollars through annual giving. Ensure that all volunteers are  asked to make a gift through the Kalamazoo College Fund each year. 

Collaboration with Key Partners 

  • Partner with major gift officers and prospect development to identify, solicit, and  qualify/disqualify prospects and, when appropriate, transition donors from annual giving team management to major and planned gift pipelines. 
  • Collaborate with college marketing & communications (CMAC) and donor relations to secure student stories and impact examples, develop compelling messaging, and devise plans  to use it as part of a multi-channel solicitation strategy. 
  • With the stewardship staff, review and update the plan for annual giving stewardship,  customized by giving level, by designation, by constituency, and/or by loyalty/recency of  giving. 
  • Work closely with alumni engagement to leverage annual giving segmentation strategies to  prioritize how alumni engage with the college. Partner with that team to strengthen the  alumni perception of annual giving as a fundamental way to support their alma mater. 
  • Partner with advancement services to ensure effective use of systems and tools for solicitation and program management, reporting, tracking, analysis and donor experience. 

Other 

  • Participate regularly in Advancement staff meetings and other relevant department meetings. • Staff Homecoming and Commencement weekend activities (required) and other on- and off campus events on an as-needed basis. 
  • Participate in professional development and relevant professional organizations. • Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s degree required. 
  • Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in annual giving,  advancement, or similar non-profit development or constituent outreach program (or  equivalent combination of education and experience). 
  • Demonstrated success planning and managing multi-channel fundraising campaigns and  achieving revenue goals. 
  • Experience supervising staff and managing workflows in a deadline-driven environment. • Strong analytical skills and experience using data to inform strategy and decision-making. • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally. • Knowledge of current trends and best practices in annual giving and donor engagement. • A strong background in and understanding of audience segmentation is essential.

Rev. 10/26 

  • Must have the ability to forge strong working relationships with others and a capacity for  engaging confidence and trust among donors, parents and friends of Kalamazoo College. • Strong competency in the Microsoft suite; experience with the use of databases, CRMs, and  other fundraising and engagement technologies.  
  • Ability to appropriately manage confidential information. 
  • A valid Michigan driver’s license and a driving record in accordance with College policy. 

To apply for this job please visit hr.kzoo.edu.