Kalamazoo College is a community of students, faculty, staff and alumni who are committed to making an exceptional place to learn, live, and work. Kalamazoo College is committed to a sense of belonging and strives to support inclusivity. Individuals who share similar commitments are invited to apply for employment.

The division of College Advancement is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff and cultivating a culture of inclusion and connectedness. We aim to create a welcoming workplace that celebrates the diversity of our staff, alumni and donors. 

Immediate Supervisor:  Senior Director, Constituent Programs and Annual Giving

Position Summary:  The Assistant/Associate Director, Special Initiatives and Athletics Giving manages the College’s milestone reunion giving program and other targeted class giving or affinity-based initiatives. In addition, the Assistant/Associate Director manages the various outreach and giving programs to solicit and steward gifts from alumni, parents, and friends of Hornet Athletics.

Responsibilities:

Reunion, Class, and Special Initiative Giving

• In collaboration with annual giving staff, manage K’s 50th Reunion and other class giving efforts, working with class agents and other volunteers approaching their milestone reunions to create and support fundraising initiatives focused on soliciting multi-year commitments to the Kalamazoo College Fund and/or an outright designated purpose, as well as planned gifts. 
• Manage other endowed fund initiatives, as necessary, including in honor or memory of members of the K community; affinity related groups.    
• Liaison with College development officers to communicate initiatives and ensure assigned donors are solicited by staff as appropriate.
• With support from the Senior Director, respond to gift interest from prospective donors or make referrals to development officers as appropriate.
• Assist in developing and implementing stewardship for class and other special initiatives.

Athletics Giving

• In partnership with annual giving staff, manage athletics related solicitation appeals including family and friends giving outreach program for all teams and alumni athletics direct mail initiatives.
• In collaboration with annual giving staff, coordinate the planning and implementation of an annual Hornet Athletics Giving Day.
• With support from the Senior Director, manage additional Hornet Athletics fundraising solicitation and stewardship opportunities.
• In coordination with Advancement colleagues, track and coordinate prospective donor referrals from coaches, ensuring strong communication and follow up with coaches and Advancement colleagues, as appropriate.
• Build and maintain a working relationship with the Athletics division, including the Athletic Director and coaches.
• Coordinate regular Hornet Athletics stewardship communications.
• Provide administrative support for the Hornet Golf Jamboree and other outings as applicable.
• Assist in sending monthly HAA progress reports to athletic director and coaches.

Other Responsibilities

• Participate regularly in Advancement staff meetings and other relevant department meetings.
• Complete contact reports in a timely manner.
• Staff Homecoming and Commencement weekend activities (required) and other campus events on an as-needed basis.
• Participate in professional activities to stay current with trends in the development field.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

The Assistant Director will have a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2-3 years of experience in annual or major gift fundraising, athletics fundraising, fundraising program management, or comparable experience. In addition, the successful candidate must possess the following skills and abilities:

• The ability to forge strong working relationships with others and a capacity for engaging confidence and trust among donors and professional advisors. Must be a team player.
• Experience working with and leading volunteers.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• High motivation for success coupled with diplomacy, tact, and consistent follow-through.
• Experience in higher education athletics fundraising desirable.

Please include a resume and cover letter with your submission.

Kalamazoo College is a selective, nationally known liberal arts college offering students a personalized, integrated undergraduate experience known as the K-Plan that interweaves a traditional liberal arts curriculum with individualized research and experiential educational experiences in both domestic and international settings. Founded in 1833, Kalamazoo College is one of 40 dynamic Colleges That Change Lives, a group of 40 colleges that excel at developing potential, values and initiative, and provide the foundation for success beyond college. The campus is located midway between Chicago and Detroit in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a metropolitan community of 225,000 that supports four college and university campuses along with numerous civic arts and cultural associations. Thirty-five miles from Lake Michigan, the area offers many opportunities for outdoor activities.

An equal opportunity employer, Kalamazoo College is committed to equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal protection under the law.  The College administers its programs without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, national origin, height, weight, marital status, physical disability as protected by law, or sexual orientation.  The College’s definition of sexual orientation proscribes discrimination based on a person’s sexuality, or gender identity, actual or presumed.