Director of Annual Giving

The Blake School•Hopkins, MN

About The Position

Blake seeks a strategic, organized, and results-oriented Director of Annual Giving to serve as a senior member of the Advancement team. The director leads strategy for Blake’s annual giving program, growing donor support for the school’s mission. Drawing on data, best practices, and knowledge of the Blake community, the director engages alumni, parents and guardians, grandparents, employees, and others. The position works closely with fellow department directors and the full IA team and supervises the Advancement Associate. The successful candidate will be a disciplined fundraiser, strong manager, clear communicator, and collaborative colleague who can balance strategy and execution, use data to guide decisions, manage staff and volunteers effectively, and keep the Blake Fund visible as a philanthropic priority for Blake.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Four to five years of fundraising experience with demonstrated success in annual giving.
Experience identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing gifts from new prospects.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to convey the mission compellingly.
Ability to create communications and campaigns that drive action, such as marketing, social media, challenges, and incentives.
Ability to translate fundraising priorities into clear, donor-centered language.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
Comfort using data to guide outreach, make decisions, and measure performance.
Proficiency with donor databases, CRM systems, and Google Workspace.
Ability to represent Blake professionally and contribute to a collegial workplace.
Sound judgment and discretion with confidential information.
Flexibility under pressure and eagerness to learn new skills.
Availability for evening and weekend events.
Valid driver’s license and good driving record.

Nice To Haves

Annual giving experience in an educational setting, ideally with an independent school.
Familiarity with Veracross, Raiser’s Edge, or similar systems.
Experience managing staff and volunteers.
Commitment to intercultural competency and inclusive, equitable practice.
Passion for philanthropy.

Responsibilities

Lead donor-centered strategy and execution for the Blake Fund, including annual goals, donor segmentation, the solicitation calendar, stewardship coordination, and reporting.
Develop persuasive Blake Fund messaging across print, digital, volunteer, and event-based channels.
Manage a portfolio of leadership donors and prospects giving $2,500 or more annually and oversee tracking and evaluation of leadership-level giving.
Lead cultivation and stewardship of Blake’s leadership giving circle.
Develop targeted strategies for donor segments, including LYBNTs, SYBNTs, lapsed donors, leadership annual giving prospects, reunion classes, young alumni, and current parents.
Partner across IA and the school to educate the community about the Blake Fund and its relevance to school success.
Lead the overall strategy and execution of Blake’s annual giving day.
Partner with alumni engagement to provide strategic oversight of reunion giving.
Supervise, support, and guide the Advancement Associate.
Work with the Chief Advancement Officer to set annual giving priorities and support the Board of Trustees’ Advancement Committee.
Train, manage, and support volunteers in peer-to-peer solicitation and other roles.
Track key performance indicators, including participation, retention, and average gift, to set benchmarks, measure progress, adjust strategy, and report to school leadership and key stakeholders.
Develop stewardship tactics with the Major Gifts, Advancement Services, Donor Relations, and Special Events staff leads.
Stay current on industry trends and participate in peer networks to strengthen donor satisfaction and support.
Perform other duties as assigned.