Position Overview

Working closely with the Director of Advancement, the Annual Fund Manager plans and implements annual fundraising strategies through direct mail appeals, online giving, monthly giving and events in support of Dodge Nature Center & Preschool. The Annual Fund Manager works in conjunction with the Development and Communications team to build funding support, maintain clear and accurate donor files, and provide excellent donor relations.

Job Functions and Key Responsibilities:

Annual Fund Management – 60%

• Develop, coordinate, and manage a comprehensive fundraising plan and appeal schedule to support Dodge’s annual fund program
• Create donor outreach and renewal and/or donor acquisition strategies to build the pipeline for support
• Write, plan and execute multichannel fundraising campaigns through direct mail, email, and social media
• Develop monthly giving strategies and campaigns to build sustaining donors program
• Manage the Wildflower Society, an annual fund program for donors giving at least $1,000
• Ensure current, accurate and consistent information in the shared database, while providing donor and fundraising reports
• Manage entry of visits, calls and other actions of solicitors, ensuring that entry is meeting internal weekly requirements.
• Serve as backup for Development Associate for all gift entries and acknowledgements
• Compile and report data for monthly reconciliation and other finance needs, board reports and other development activities.
• Manage work with vendors such as direct mail vendors, designers and printers

Event and Marketing Support – 30%

• Assist in planning and coordination of special fundraising, community and donor cultivation events including the annual benefit
• Manage donor cultivation events with the assistance of other staff members or volunteers
• Provide support for the Development Committee as requested by the Director of Advancement
• Coordinate with communications team on needs for promotions of development events/programs via social media, websites and other external communications channels
• Provide content and thought partnership for DNC website, social media, and print collateral in conjunction with the communications coordinator.

Other Duties – 10%

• Support donor database management including record input, lists and reports
• Attend off-site meetings representing Dodge as needed
• Update and maintain procedure guide for activities in this position
• Support memorial, planned giving and other development-related programs, such as ordering plaques, assisting with dedications events, and preparing printed materials
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or 5+ years of related experience
• Three years of professional annual fund and/or individual fundraising experience
• Demonstrated success in developing successful fundraising campaigns and securing individual gifts
• Excellent customer service skills, including strong written, interpersonal and oral communication skills for fundraising
• Experience with donor management databases
• Working knowledge of printers, mail houses and other annual fund vendors
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to privacy of confidential information
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Ability to organize and coordinate a variety of projects and activities simultaneously
• Ability to work as both part of a team and independently
• Commitment to Dodge Nature Center & Preschool mission, vision and values
• Valid Driver’s License
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds
• Ability to traverse uneven terrain
• Some evenings and weekends may be required

Preferred Qualifications

• Five years of professional fundraising and development experience as an annual fund professional
• Working knowledge of Bloomerang software