General Purpose:

The Annual Giving Associate (AGA) is a key member of a high-performing, donor-centered team that supports WPAOG’s annual giving goals. This position focuses on contacting a high volume of current and prospective donors, fostering engagement through personalized outreach while maintaining the alumni participation rate and educating graduates about the Margin of Excellence.

Leveraging a range of tools—including email, social media, texting, video conferencing, and phone calls—the AGA solicits, stewards, and educates donors, strengthening their connection to West Point. Managing a portfolio of approximately 5,000 donors and prospects, primarily those giving under $1,000 annually, the AGA plays a crucial role in WPAOG’s fundraising strategy. Additional responsibilities include soliciting parents of new cadets and supporting key campaigns such as the West Point Challenge and Army West Point Giving Day. This position reports to the Annual Giving Manager.

The AGA must stay informed of the annual calendar of appeals and messages, aligning their workflow and outreach efforts with these campaigns to ensure consistency and maximize impact.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Cultivation, Solicitation, and Stewardship of Annual Gifts (80%)

• Conduct personalized and mass outreach to a designated pool of approximately 5,000 donors and prospects, as determined by Donor Strategy and Analytics.
• Review strategies and pool during monthly meetings with Senior Director of Donor Strategy and Analytics and Director of Annual Giving.
• Balance parent solicitation efforts with assigned donor pools, working in collaboration with the Parent Giving Officer to engage higher-capacity parents or recognize donor commitments.
• Utilize segmented and one-to-one communication methods—email, text, phone—to solicit donations, renew annual gifts, and encourage upgrades.
• Follow up on open pledges when necessary to ensure a strong fulfillment rate.
• Identify disengaged prospects and implement strategies to re-engage them or transition them to the general communication pool.
• Execute outreach efforts for the West Point Challenge, Army West Point Athletics Giving Day, and other special campaigns as directed.
• Align outreach efforts with the annual calendar of appeals and messages, ensuring that all activities are coordinated and complement broader Annual Giving campaigns.
• Participate in events and programs supporting development activities, engaging key volunteers to enhance donor relations. (Attendance is mandatory at high traffic events such as SUPT Circle weekend and others as dictated by the Director of Annual Giving.)
• Conduct stewardship activities for donors in assigned pools and unassigned donors under $1,000 to deepen donor relationships and long-term support.

2. Interoffice Communication (15%)

• Record detailed donor interactions in Blackbaud CRM and adhere to established data
management protocols.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including Data Services, Gift Operations, and Donor
Strategy and Analytics, to share donor insights and ensure accurate recordkeeping.
• Build and adjust workflows to support the overall campaign calendar, coordinating
efforts with colleagues and other departments.
• Maintain a collegial and positive attitude in all interactions with team members and
other staff.

3. Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Time Management: Strong ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Fundraising Knowledge: Deep understanding of annual giving objectives, donor segmentation, and solicitation strategies.
• Data Analysis: Ability to analyze data, extract insights, and recommend enhancements to improve program performance.
• Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional communication skills (oral and written) and the ability to engage tactfully with donors, colleagues, and volunteers.
• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with CRM platforms and other donor management tools.
• Adaptability: Capacity to maintain composure and confidentiality in sensitive or challenging situations.
• Campaign Coordination: Awareness of the appeal calendar and the ability to organize work to support and align with scheduled campaigns.
• Event Attendance: Must be available to attend a minimum number of events as dictated by the Director of Annual Giving. (Remote employees will be required to attend certain high-traffic events as budget permits.)

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Prior fundraising experience highly desirable.
• Experience with CRM systems or equivalent donor management software preferred.

Salary Range:

$61,000 -$62,350 depending on skills and experience.