Director of Annual Giving

Summary/Purpose

The Director of Annual Giving is a full-time leadership position responsible for building and growing a comprehensive, donor-centered annual giving program that supports Summit Academy OIC’s (Summit Academy) strategic fundraising goals. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and serving on the Development leadership team, the Director develops and leads strategies that drive donor acquisition, retention, and revenue growth through multi-channel campaigns, corporate sponsorships and a signature fundraising event.

The Director oversees the annual giving portfolio – including prospective, first time, small-dollar, recurring, mid-level individual donors, and corporate sponsors – with a defined focus on gifts under $5,000. This role is responsible for building relationships and developing strategies that support cultivation, stewardship, renewal, and upgrades across these donor segments to ensure a sustainable and growing base of annual support.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Strategic Planning, Marketing and Management

• Leads the development and implementation of a comprehensive annual giving strategy to grow and sustain Summit Academy’s philanthropic base by engaging individual donors and corporate sponsors giving under $5,000, with targeted approaches for acquisition, renewal and upgrade.
• Drives initiatives to expand corporate sponsorships across programs and events as a core revenue stream within the annual giving portfolio.
• Maintains clear ownership of donor engagement strategies and relationship-building efforts, in alignment with Summit Academy’s segmented fundraising model; coordinates with the Major Gifts Officer to transition qualified prospects into major gift cultivation as appropriate.
• Collaborates with the Donor Communications Specialist and Marketing & Communications Director to develop and implement multi-channel marketing and communications plans that support the annual giving program and the signature fundraising event, the Golf Classic & Summer Party; provides strategic input on messaging, tone and campaign objectives.
• Leads planning and execution of annual giving events and engagement activities, including fundraising and donor experience strategy for the Golf Classic & Summer Party.
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders to ensure strong infrastructure, data integrity and aligned execution of annual giving work plans.
• Manages budgets for annual giving operations and the Golf Classic & Summer Party.

Communication, Solicitation and Engagement

• Builds and executes integrated solicitation and engagement strategies to acquire, retain and upgrade donors and sponsors giving under $5,000, with tailored approaches for segments including first-time, recurring, mid-level and small dollar-donors.
• Uses data-informed segmentation and engagement approaches to convert leads and prospects into first-time donors.
• Independently solicits gifts and sponsorships under $5,000 and collaborates with the Chief Development Officer, Major Gifts Officer and other stakeholders to ensure aligned and effective donor engagement.
• Works with the Chief Development Officer and board designees to activate volunteer leadership in expanding the organization’s base of support and increasing annual giving revenue.

Reporting

• Oversees tracking and analysis of annual giving performance metrics, including donor participation, revenue benchmarks, and campaign results; recommends strategic adjustments as needed.
• Ensures annual giving and Golf Classic & Summer Party plans remain on track to meet fiscal year goals; monitors real-time progress.
• Reviews and analyzes reports and dashboards to inform tactical decisions and long-term strategy across annual giving, the Golf Classic & Summer Party and special campaigns.
• Manages tracking systems for gifts and sponsorships up to $5,000, including appeal codes, segmentation data and channel performance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven experience designing and managing comprehensive annual giving and sponsorship programs, targeting donors and sponsors giving under $5,000, with strengths in acquisition, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, segmentation and upgrade strategies.
• Demonstrated success in managing large-scale fundraising events.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in donor management software (experience using Salesforce and affiliated applications preferred).
• Understanding of and adherence to donor privacy best practices and ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with appropriate discretion.
• Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, active listening and strategic planning skills.
• Experience with budgeting, planning, and project management.
• Strong commitment to the mission and goals of Summit Academy OIC.
• Experience securing revenue for workforce development and/or education and/or diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives preferred.

Supervisory Responsibility

Direct reports include:

• Donor Engagement Specialist
• Development Communications Specialist
• Volunteer Engagement Specialist

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional school and office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone, to enter data into a computer; to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear and understand speech at conversational levels and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in person and on the telephone; physical agility to lift up to 10 pounds to waist height; and to bend, stoop, walk and reach overhead.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

• This is a full-time exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It is not eligible for overtime pay.
• May require occasional evenings, weekend, and early morning work hours as needed to meet business needs.
• The Director is expected to spend the majority of their time working out of their Summit Academy workspace; however, following 90 business days of employment, a hybrid work schedule may be discussed with the Chief Development Officer.
• Schedule details and schedule flexibility will be discussed in the interview process.

Travel

This position may require travel within Twin Cities metro area.

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor's level degree in one of the following fields: Business, Public Affairs, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or similar study; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in fundraising for a nonprofit organization with a proven track record of building and implementing successful annual giving programs.
• Strong working knowledge of individual giving strategies.
• Demonstrated success in team management, including experience in a direct supervisory role.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AAP/EEO

It is the policy of Summit Academy OIC to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Summit Academy OIC will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

BENEFITS

• Generous PTO Policy, Including 10 Annual Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Comprehensive Health, Dental, Vision, Short and Long Term Disability, and Life & AD&D Insurance
• 401(k) with 4% Company Match effective day one.