Annual Fund Specialist

Ellis Medicine•Schenectady, NY

1d•$25 - $37

About The Position

The Annual Fund Specialist is a key member of the Foundation for Ellis Medicine team and is responsible for planning and executing a year-round plan for a successful Annual Fund Campaign with a goal to increase annual giving support. This position requires a dynamic individual with maturity and sound judgment who has the ability to work in a complex organization with demanding deadlines and changing priorities, strong communication skills, a people person, and a commitment to Ellis’ mission. The Foundation’s annual giving program includes direct mail and online appeals; donor acquisition, cultivation and solicitation activities; colleague campaigns; volunteer cultivation and engagement; and annual grant opportunities (private and public) and is essential to building a base of loyal donors. The Annual Fund Specialist works collaboratively with the Foundation team in building relationships with and cultivating current and prospective donors with a goal of increasing revenue from annual fund donors and building a pipeline of future major and legacy donors. Reporting to the VP/Executive Director, the Annual Fund Specialist plays a critical role in the Foundation team meeting organizational revenue targets. This position also plays a support role in donor management and recognition, and is responsible for identifying, recruiting, stewarding, soliciting, and engaging donors and volunteers across the Ellis community and beyond.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in a related field or two or more years of professional work history providing high-level administrative support to executives.
Experience with the management of Raiser’s Edge/NXT.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and the ability to learn new software programs quickly.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
A passion for accuracy and sharp attention to detail.
Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
Ability to work in a fast-paced and sometimes unpredictable environment; works well under pressure and tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

Fundraising Campaigns: Plan, develop, and execute an annual campaign—encompassing direct mail, email, social media, and print materials—to support the Hospital’s mission, programs, capital needs, and strategic initiatives.
Partner with the Vice President/Executive Director to align annual giving with broader Foundation goals, including comprehensive campaigns and long-term strategic planning.
Collaborate with the Foundation Operations Specialist to generate lists for all appeals, ensuring that all mailings, emails and other solicitations remain on schedule.
Create compelling acquisition and renewal appeals to engage donors, grateful patients, and the philanthropic community, and coordinate production with the house.
Collaborate with the Foundation team to develop social media fundraising efforts utilizing best practices and digital trends, ensuring that branding and messaging is consistent across annual appeal materials used for marketing and fundraising.
Maintain accurate records in Raiser’s Edge/NXT, assist with prospect research, and support donor stewardship through timely acknowledgments and meaningful stewardship of all gifts.
Contribute donor story leads and/or content for Foundation publications and social media to support engagement and promote fundraising initiatives.
Annual Giving Growth Cultivate and steward donor relationships to encourage ongoing support and repeat giving.
Develop and implement strategies to increase annual giving by acquiring new donors, improving retention, and growing contributions from existing supporters.
Monitor and analyze Annual Fund performance monthly for the Foundation team to identify trends, evaluate appeal effectiveness, and to identify opportunities for growth, improvement and prospect strategy.
Volunteer Coordination Recruit, coordinate and provide meaningful experiences for volunteers to be engaged in fundraising events and campaigns.
Ensure Foundation volunteers feel supported and informed through proactive communication and engagement efforts.
Collaborate with Ellis Medicine’s Director of Volunteer Services to include Foundation volunteers in appreciation events and recognition programs.
Donor Relations Assist in cultivating and maintaining relationships with donors, grateful patients, trustees and other stakeholders.
Process daily mail and acknowledge donations promptly and express gratitude to donors in a meaningful way via thank you calls, notes and special event invitations.
Cultivate and solicit gifts from annual fund donors and prospects under the direction of the Vice President/Executive Director, aiming to build and manage a portfolio of at least 80 prospects.
Collaborate with the Foundation team to ensure appropriate donor recognition and to communicate the impact of contributions.
Record all outreach efforts in Raisers Edge/NXT.
Steward Foundation donors by recognizing special days, e.g., birthdays, anniversaries, etc., obituary notes, thank you calls and notes, and special invitations to Foundation and Hospital events.
Cultivate relationships with donors, building a foundation for future discussions about planned giving.
Event Support Assist and attend Foundation fundraising, donor recognition and community events, e.g., Chamber, Times Union, with a goal to cultivate and steward attendees.
Provide support for fundraising events, including logistical planning, coordination of volunteers, and on-site management.
Administrative Duties Maintain accurate records of donors, gifts, and fundraising activities in the Foundation’s database.
Process daily mail and acknowledge donors via the phone, email and personalized notes.
Attend and actively participate in bi-weekly Foundation prospect meetings with a focus on donor cultivation and stewardship strategies.
Represent Ellis at community events as needed.
Assist with donor cultivation activities, including hospital visits.
Assist with other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
Adhere to hospital policies and procedures related to Mandatory Education and Annual Health Assessment
Adhere to the Making Ellis Exceptional (MEE) Behaviors & Standards, ECs and AIDET (Acknowledge, Identify, Duration, Expectation, and Thank You) and initiate, promote, and support change initiatives.