Director of Annual Giving

Summit Academy O I C • Minneapolis, MN

2d • $80,000 - $100,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Annual Giving leads Summit Academy OIC’s donor-centered annual giving program, driving donor acquisition, retention, upgrades, and revenue growth through campaigns, corporate sponsorships, and the Golf Classic & Summer Party. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and serving on the Development leadership team, the Director oversees individual donors and corporate sponsors, with a primary focus on gifts under $5,000. The role is accountable for revenue results, accurate forecasting, effective staff leadership, and independent execution of fundraising strategies.

The Director develops and executes annual giving strategies, work plans, budgets, and forecasts; manages a portfolio of donors and corporate sponsors; leads solicitation and stewardship; and coordinates with colleagues to advance philanthropic opportunities. The position leads the Golf Classic & Summer Party and collaborates on campaigns and donor engagement. It supervises the Donor Engagement Specialist and Volunteer Engagement Specialist, and oversees performance analysis and reporting.

This is a full-time, exempt position. The Director is expected to work primarily from the Summit Academy OIC workspace. A hybrid schedule may be discussed with the Chief Development Officer after 90 business days. Occasional evening, weekend, and early morning hours may be required, and travel within the Twin Cities metro area may be necessary.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least six years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including successful leadership of annual giving programs and ownership of revenue goals.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff and strong knowledge of individual giving strategies.
• Proven success leading annual giving, corporate sponsorship, and large-scale fundraising event programs, including accountability for revenue goals.
• Strong forecasting, budgeting, analytical, and project management skills.
• Proficiency with Excel, CRM reporting, and fundraising dashboards.
• Ability to independently prioritize and execute complex initiatives, identify risks, and deliver measurable results.
• Demonstrated staff supervision, delegation, coaching, and performance management skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and executive communication skills.
• Experience leading volunteer committees and meetings.
• Knowledge of donor privacy practices and ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Commitment to Summit Academy OIC’s mission.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Salesforce.
• Fundraising experience in workforce development or education.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute annual giving strategies, work plans, budgets, and revenue forecasts, setting measurable targets and adjusting approaches to improve results.
• Oversee the Annual Giving Pool and manage an assigned portfolio of individual donors and corporate sponsors through prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and upgrades.
• Coordinate with the Major Gifts Officer to advance qualified prospects into major gift cultivation.
• Expand corporate sponsorships and collaborate with Workforce Solutions, Volunteer Engagement, and Development colleagues on philanthropic opportunities.
• Lead the Golf Classic & Summer Party, including fundraising strategy, sponsorship development, volunteer committee management, revenue forecasting, donor experience, and performance evaluation; provide strategic oversight of event operations and production.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications colleagues on multichannel appeals, campaign messaging, marketing, and donor engagement strategies.
• Supervise assigned staff by setting priorities, delegating responsibilities, coaching performance, and ensuring accountability; communicate progress, challenges, and recommendations to the Chief Development Officer.
• Independently solicit gifts and sponsorships and implement segmented strategies to acquire, retain, renew, and upgrade individual donors and corporate sponsors.
• Coordinate larger giving opportunities with the Chief Development Officer and Major Gifts Officer as appropriate.
• Engage fundraising committees and volunteer leaders as connectors and advocates to broaden philanthropic support.
• Develop targeted appeals and engagement initiatives with measurable objectives, coordinating donor and corporate relationships with Development colleagues.
• Maintain accurate, evidence-based revenue forecasts, monitor progress against goals, and track anticipated gift timing and campaign projections.
• Oversee the accuracy, reconciliation, and analysis of annual giving and Golf Classic & Summer Party performance reporting with the Development Data Specialist.
• Analyze revenue variances and key performance indicators, identify risks, recommend corrective actions, and communicate findings to the Chief Development Officer.

Benefits

• Paid time off accruing at 120 hours (three weeks) per year.
• 11 annual paid holidays and two annual scheduled paid mental health days.
• Eligibility to elect comprehensive health, vision, dental, and voluntary life insurance.
• Employer-sponsored life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance.
• Eligibility to participate in the 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match, effective day one.
• Eligibility for an annual bonus based on organizational and employee performance.

What This Job Offers

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