Annual Giving Associate (Junior Class Giving Officer)

Santa Clara University • Santa Clara, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Santa Clara University is a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university located in California's Silicon Valley, offering its 9,000 students rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, and engineering, plus master's, Ph.D., and law degrees. Ranked among the top 15 percent of universities nationwide by U.S. News and World Report, Santa Clara University is California’s oldest operating institution of higher education. The University is focused on creating an academic community that educates citizens and leaders who will build a more just, humane, and sustainable world. University Relations builds Santa Clara University’s excellence and character by strengthening relations with alumni, parents, and friends of the University, raising public awareness, and increasing private philanthropy. The development division has been recognized with the CASE Educational Fundraising Award, an honor given each year to superior fundraising programs at educational institutions across the country. This is an exciting opportunity for an entry-level fundraiser and professionals with comparable skills to join a dynamic and collaborative Reunion Giving team, the dedicated frontline fundraisers in the Annual Giving Department at Santa Clara University’s Development office. The Annual Giving Associate (Junior Class Giving Officer) plays a critical role in SCU’s effort to secure resources for its strategic funding priorities and deepen its relationship with undergraduate alumni. In furtherance of the University’s integrated strategic plan, the Annual Giving Associate coordinates 2 undergraduate reunion campaigns with a focus on volunteer management. Reporting to the Associate Director of Development (Senior Class Giving Officer), the Junior CGO and the Reunion Giving team strategically leverages the special opportunity of reunion to further and/or re-engage alumni and develop a strong pipeline of philanthropic alumni leaders. The Junior CGO position emphasizes work with donors and volunteers who have the capacity to make annual gifts at the leadership-level ($1,000 to $50,000) within their assigned reunion classes.

Requirements

• Knowledge Interest in personal solicitation of large annual gifts ($500 to $50,000) as well as volunteer management and motivation.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• A commitment to higher education and ability to articulate a compelling case for annual discretionary support of undergraduate education and student life at Santa Clara University.
• Knowledge of Santa Clara University and its mission helpful.
• Must be goal-oriented and self-motivated individual who can demonstrate accountability, initiative, creativity and focus in a rapidly changing and intellectually stimulating environment.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate, build alliances, and achieve results within a population that may possess competing interests, opinions and/or expectations.
• Demonstrate strong active listening skills and ability to negotiate positive outcomes.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, sound ethical judgment, and experience handling highly confidential information.
• Required to have a valid driver’s license and personal transportation vehicle available for frequent travel to business meetings (mileage is reimbursed under federal guidelines).
• Ability to use current desktop office and database technologies efficiently and effectively, and be able to adapt to and use future technologies.
• High energy level, enthusiasm, sense of humor, and flexibility absolutely required.
• Demonstrate the ability to manage time and workload to multitask and achieve goals in a deadline-driven environment.
• Demonstrate a genuine appetite to contribute to a collaborative, ethical , and professional team environment.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 0-3 years of related professional experience in development, fundraising, marketing, and strategic planning, preferably in a higher education environment.
• 1 year of direct development, fundraising, and/or transferable professional skills that include sales and/or developing relationships with volunteers and/or high net worth clients or customers preferred.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Manage high end annual fundraising campaigns for 2 personally assigned undergraduate classes celebrating a reunion; work with Director of Reunion Giving to develop fundraising goals and strategies according to specific characteristics and capabilities of the assigned classes to achieve both high-end giving and broad class campaign participation; monitor and analyze results throughout campaign, and revise strategies as necessary in order to accomplish goals.
• Aid in, recruiting, training and soliciting approximately 70-100 reunion volunteers annually (class sizes currently range from 750-1500); maintain frequent contact with these class leaders through meetings, visits, correspondence, and telephone in collaboration with the Alumni Relations Team and in accordance with the Reunion Giving Team Calendar; provide information and assistance to volunteers to support their ability to carry out peer solicitations and other assignments and steward volunteer efforts through regular contact and recognition.
• Coordinate with Major, Principal, and Planned Gifts teams on the reunion-year solicitation strategy of those prospects within the assigned reunion class and recruit these leaders to their reunion committees, as appropriate.
• Assist in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-level prospects, as appropriate, resulting in leadership gifts ranging from $500-50,000 (generally includes volunteers themselves); develop strategies to ensure that all top reunion prospects are solicited during their reunion campaign at appropriate levels; annual fundraising expectations based on assigned classes.
• Help execute (as prescribed by the reunion calendar) the direct mail, email solicitations, and telemarketing efforts with volunteer leaders and colleagues to ensure broad class campaign participation.
• Maintain accurate and timely reports documenting fieldwork, updating University records, and analyzing results; ensure reunion campaign pledges are accurately booked and appropriately stewarded.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Benefits

• comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees with programs and resources designed to promote and sustain personal health care, well-being, and the financial objectives of our employees and families.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level