VP of Donor Development

Fast Growing Non-Profit

The VP of Donor Development is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive donor stewardship program, ensuring that gifts at all levels are properly acknowledged and stewarded. Additionally, this role serves as the primary liaison with the Communications & Engagement team for development-related communications.

The VP provides strategic advice about nurturing lifelong relationships with donors. The Director will build an integrated program focused on acquiring and retaining donors in support of The Lundquist Institute’s fundraising goals.

Engaging a broad range of Institute-wide colleagues and external constituents in a highly service-oriented role, the Director works in close coordination with researchers, the Advancement team, and the Office of the President. Due to the nature of confidential information, the position requires careful judgment and discretion. The variety of assignments associated with the position requires flexibility, efficiency, and the ability to prioritize tasks and deadlines.

Responsibilities

Building an integrated program focused on donor acquisition and retention, particularly major donors

• As the Institute's subject matter expert for donor relations and stewardship, sets standards and implements best practices.
• Creates and executes donor engagement plans for the Institute’s top 25 donors (as defined by lifetime cumulative giving) in close coordination with fundraisers.
• Builds and maintains a comprehensive stewardship calendar, tracking all related activities throughout the year.
• In collaboration with Advancement colleagues, ensures that fundraising materials are innovative, effective, and high quality.
• Uses quantitative and qualitative analysis to track donor engagement data, report results on an ongoing basis, and recommend adjustments as appropriate.

Donor communications

• Writes, edits, and finalizes donor relations materials including impact reports, acknowledgement letters, and other stewardship communications.
• Works in close partnership with the Communications & Engagement team to build the Development team's communications plan including, but not limited to, social media, newsletters, impact reports, gift announcements, post event follow-ups, and direct mail.
• Crafts and manages customized acknowledgments and stewardship communications between TLI and donors.
• In conjunction with Advancement Services, plans, designs, and oversees gift receipt and acknowledgement processes to ensure that each gift to TLI is recorded and stewarded in a timely manner.
• Advises on and facilitates the recognition of donors in TLI's print and digital publications.

Strategies for development engagement activities

• Meets regularly with AVP, Development to ensure the Institute’s most important philanthropic relationships are regularly nurtured.
• Proactively develops relevant programming to recognize TLI’s most dedicated supporters.
• Plays lead role in strategy/execution of large-scale events engaging donors and participates in relevant event committees, as appropriate.
• Partners with events team to manage donor experience on-site at specialized events such as building dedications, gift celebrations, and salon dinners.
• Manages documentation for all named spaces throughout the Institute’s campus. Maintains an inventory of all recognition plaques and available spaces. Works with vendors on the production and installation of donor recognition plaques in accordance with TLI’s donor recognition/naming policy (to be drafted).

Procedures, data, and donor privacy

• Develops and assesses policies and procedures across TLI that are essential for a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program.
• In collaboration with leadership, determines optimal KPIs to measure the efficacy of stewardship actions, initiatives, and events.
• Manages information tracking processes regarding acknowledgement, recognition, ongoing communications, and continued cultivation of past and current donors to enhance their relationship with TLI and increase the likelihood of continued support.
• Ensures that all donor information remains protected and advises on best practices related to data privacy.
• Builds consent forms and materials to ensure the Institute remains HIPAA-compliant in outreach to potential supporters.
• Documents donor preference and stewardship touches. Inputs contact reports into the CRM (currently Salesforce) as appropriate.
• Verifies that donor data in CRM are up to date.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and/or approximately 5 years of related experience (preferably in an academic, scientific, or healthcare setting).
• Demonstrated record of success within a development environment.
• Ability to share specific examples of success and references.