Director of Annual Giving and Donor Engagement

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Director of Annual Giving and Donor Engagement is responsible for the strategic development, implementation, and management of Judson Foundation’s annual giving program. This individual will oversee multi-channel fundraising campaigns, steward annual donors, and build a robust pipeline of annual contributors. The role ensures sustained and increased annual philanthropic support while developing leadership-level annual donors and enhancing donor loyalty and engagement. The Director will function as a key strategist and advisor on the Judson Foundation team, working closely with the Foundation Vice President.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Annual Giving Strategy and Execution

• Building on the Foundation’s successful history, further develop and implement a comprehensive annual giving strategy aligned with organizational fundraising goals.
• Manage all components of annual giving including direct mail, email, and personal solicitation campaigns and develop case for support.
• Establish a calendar of annual appeals and donor touchpoints to maximize participation and giving levels.
• Collaborate with the team to craft compelling appeals and donor communications.

Leadership Annual Donor Program

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors capable of making annual gifts of $1,000 or more.
• Design and lead the Foundation’s leadership giving program, including special events, recognition, and exclusive communications.
• Work closely with the Judson Foundation Vice President to develop a pipeline of major gift prospects through the annual fund.
• Use data analytics to segment and target leadership donors for personalized cultivation strategies.

Donor Stewardship and Engagement

• Oversee stewardship for all donors, including impact reporting, and personalized follow-up.
• Create meaningful donor engagement through the Foundation’s Inspire magazine, newsletters, updates, events, and donor spotlights.
• Maintain accurate records of interactions and engagement using Raiser’s Edge.
• Develop engagement and stewardship plans for specific donor segments.
• Oversee design and production of Foundation program collateral, case statements and proposals.

Fundraising Analytics and Reporting

• Track, analyze, and report on annual giving results, donor retention, and acquisition trends.
• Provide regular updates and recommendations to the VP and Board on fundraising performance.
• Use data to refine strategies and improve outcomes.

Collaboration and Leadership

• Work inter and cross-departmentally to coordinate fundraising efforts.
• Manage relationships with vendors (printers, mail houses, consultants) involved in annual giving efforts.
• Collaborate in the execution of Judson Foundation Board meetings and board relations.

Judson Core Values

All Judson associates are expected to embody Judson core values of accountability, belonging, collaboration, communication, innovation and integrity.

Minimum Qualifications, Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE certification is valued.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive fundraising experience.
• Demonstrated success in annual giving and donor stewardship, including leadership annual giving programs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially as they pertain to fund development and development communications.
• Goal-oriented and driven with the ability to motivate and inspire others.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Strong strategic thinking, project management and leadership skills.
• Proficiency in database management (preferably Raiser’s Edge), analyzing data, and generating reports.
• PC proficiency and strong skills in the Microsoft suite.
• Ability to build relationships with donors, staff, volunteers, and board members.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the Judson and Judson Foundation.

Working Conditions:

• Full-time position with occasional evening and weekend hours for donor events and stewardship activities.
• Physical demands include those related to an office environment and staging and tearing down special events.
• Some local travel required for donor meetings and events and regular traveling between all three Judson senior living communities.