Associate Director/Director of Annual Giving Simpson College Location Indianola, IA Open Date Aug 03, 2026 Description The Associate Director/Director of Annual Giving provides strategic leadership for Simpson College's comprehensive annual giving program. This position is responsible for increasing unrestricted and leadership annual giving, broadening donor participation, strengthening donor retention, and building a sustainable pipeline of future major gift donors through integrated, multi-channel fundraising strategies. Success in this position will be measured by sustained growth in first-time donors, donor retention, alumni participation, leadership annual giving, and membership in The Presidents' Society (annual gifts of $1,000 or more).

Basic Job Functions:

Plan, write, create, implement, and manage programming to meet or exceed yearly goals for Annual Giving at Simpson. Programming will include, but is not limited to, electronic communications, direct mail, Giving Tuesday, #ONESimpsonDay, and social media efforts. Manage a portfolio of approximately 150-250 leadership annual giving prospects while overseeing strategies and communications for the College's broader annual donor population. The Director will personally visit 75 - 100 current, lapsed, and prospective members of The Presidents' Society to maintain the annual goal for the number of members of The Presidents' Society. Travel will be local and within the state of Iowa. Directly solicit 25 - 50 businesses and corporations in an effort to maximize their giving to Simpson. This will include collaboration with Simpson Athletics to coordinate giving to corporate/business giving to Simpson and sponsorships to Athletics. Serve as Simpson College's contact person and lead solicitor for the Iowa College Foundation. Assist with all Office of College Advancement special events and direct an annual Faculty/Staff Campaign effort. Coordinate with Advancement Office colleagues regarding all Annual Giving donor recognitio

Qualifications Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree required; degree in communications, marketing, business, nonprofit management, higher education or a related field preferred. Three to five years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, preferably in higher education, with direct experience in annual giving. Demonstrated success developing and executing strategies that increase annual giving revenue, donor participation and donor retention. Experience with multiple annual giving channels, including direct mail, email, digital/social media, telephone, personal solicitation and giving-day campaigns. Demonstrated ability to qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors, particularly leadership annual giving prospects. Experience developing and managing a portfolio of annual giving prospects and donors. Experience recruiting, training and motivating volunteers to support fundraising efforts. Strong analytical skills and demonstrated ability to use fundraising data to identify opportunities, measure results and adjust strategy. Experience working with a CRM/database, preferably Slate or another higher-education advancement CRM. Exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Application Instructions All applicants must provide: Cover Letter outlining applicable experience and interest in the position Up-to-date resume Contact information for three professional references.