Annual Giving Officer

Position Summary: The Annual Giving Officer is responsible for developing and meeting budgeted revenue expectations. The Annual Giving Offer is also responsible for designing and developing all internal and external Development communications, including but not limited to annual direct mail, e-campaigns, social media, newsletters, and Children’s Aid collateral. The Annual Giving Officer will also ensure donors are communicated with and acknowledged in a timely manner in line with best practices and Children’s Aid policies and procedures. They are an integral member of the Development team, a key point of contact as prospects enter the donor pipeline and strategy is developed, and responsible for strong communication within and among the Development team to ensure appropriate donor communications and relations.

Essential Duties:

Donor Communications Management

• Manage acknowledgment process with a 48-hour turnaround and ensure integrity in donor data and gift entry.
• Create and develop materials to be used internally and externally (e.g., one-pagers, fact sheets, appeals).
• Source staff and client stories and testimonials to be featured in various donor communications.
• Ensure the use of consistent and agency-approved data within various donor communications.
• Generate department-wide and specialized reports, as necessary, including Board reports and annual reports in coordination with Marketing and Communications, and program staff.
• Contact donors to follow-up on inquires and gather additional information, as needed.
• Maintain fundraising database records and tracking all donor activity in Raiser’s Edge.
• Manage the Development main line and general email inquiries, serving as the point of entry for donors, resolving donor issues or directing the inquiry to the appropriate person or department.
• Manage donor-related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional communications or donor related tasks, as needed.

Direct Mail Program

• Meet annual revenue targets by identifying, engaging, cultivating, and ultimately soliciting donors.
• Create strategy and oversee the annual donor communication calendar, including testing strategies to increase response, retention and giving level; mail, and e-mail appeals for donors and prospects on a timely basis and within Development budget.
• Develop strategic content for all donor communications targeting various audiences.
• Develop and implement strategies to acquire and retain new donors.
• Manage relationships with printer and mail houses, including solicitation of bids, approval, processing of invoices, mailing permits, and ensuring all components are compiled and submitted on-time.
• Generate regular reports on the status and performance of Annual Giving appeals, including net and gross income, response rates, retention rates, cost to raise a dollar for direct mail appeals, etc.
• Collaborate with Development team, as needed, on all mailing content and logistics.
• Manage and develop Annual Giving operating budget, in coordination with the Director of Development.
• Organize NCOA address updates to ensure accurate mailing addresses.
• In-person collaboration is an essential function of the job.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum three to five years’ experience in related positions.
• Non-profit and development experience required.

Key Competencies:

• Ability to motivate, take initiative as a self-starter, and use thoughtful problem-solving skills.
• Must have excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Must have excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience with fundraising database management, preferably Raiser’s Edge.
• Experience with moves management and donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Display transparency about research, calls, meetings, activities, and all work with manager and team.
• Dependability and good organizational skills.
• Comfortable working independently with minimal instruction and as part of an office team to complete assignments.
• Excellent planning skills and attention to detail in order to meet high standards for accuracy.
• Strong belief in the mission of Children’s Aid.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and a willingness to expand personal understanding of the root cause of poverty.