Annual Giving Associate (Junior Class Giving Officer)

Santa Clara University•Santa Clara, CA

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

Santa Clara University is seeking an entry-level fundraiser or professionals with comparable skills to join its dynamic and collaborative Reunion Giving team. This role is crucial for securing resources for the University's strategic funding priorities and deepening relationships with undergraduate alumni. The Annual Giving Associate will coordinate two undergraduate reunion campaigns, focusing on volunteer management. This position aims to re-engage alumni and develop a strong pipeline of philanthropic leaders, with an emphasis on donors and volunteers capable of making leadership-level annual gifts ($1,000 to $50,000) within their assigned reunion classes. The position offers a hybrid work schedule.

Requirements

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.
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.
Ability to use current desktop office and database technologies efficiently and effectively, and be able to adapt to and use future technologies.
Demonstrate the ability to manage time and workload to multitask and achieve goals in a deadline-driven environment.
Valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Santa Clara University and its mission helpful.
Interest in personal solicitation of large annual gifts ($500 to $50,000) as well as volunteer management and motivation.
High energy level, enthusiasm, sense of humor, and flexibility absolutely required.
Demonstrate a genuine appetite to contribute to a collaborative, ethical, and professional team 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.

Responsibilities

Manage high-end annual fundraising campaigns for two personally assigned undergraduate classes celebrating a reunion.
Develop fundraising goals and strategies in collaboration with the Director of Reunion Giving, considering the specific characteristics and capabilities of assigned classes to achieve high-end giving and broad class participation.
Monitor and analyze campaign results, revising strategies as necessary to accomplish goals.
Recruit, train, and solicit approximately 70-100 reunion volunteers annually.
Maintain frequent contact with class leaders through meetings, visits, correspondence, and telephone, in collaboration with the Alumni Relations Team and according to the Reunion Giving Team Calendar.
Provide information and assistance to volunteers to support their peer solicitations and other assignments.
Steward volunteer efforts through regular contact and recognition.
Coordinate with Major, Principal, and Planned Gifts teams on the solicitation strategy for prospects within assigned reunion classes.
Recruit reunion committee leaders as appropriate.
Cultivate, solicit, and steward high-level prospects, resulting in leadership gifts ranging from $500-$50,000.
Develop strategies to ensure all top reunion prospects are solicited at appropriate levels during their reunion campaign.
Execute 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.
Perform additional duties as assigned.