Under the general direction of the Director of the Binghamton Fund, the Binghamton Fund Program Associate, Leadership Annual Giving provides oversight of the Binghamton Fund’s community of potential, past and current supporters at the $1,000+ level of giving each year.  This includes oversight of the Annual Review Process as well as the development of tools, processes and partnership to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of Binghamton Fund solicitation efforts. This position will work with the Director of the Binghamton Fund and Foundation IT to develop reports, strategies and other data rich materials to be utilized by all Binghamton Fund program areas focused on leadership annual giving solicitations. They will also help create systems, procedures, and practices for the most effective collaboration between the programs involved with schools and units, gift officers, volunteers and the rest of the division.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership Society Membership Management (50%)

• Develop and implement a plan to increase donor giving at each of the $1,000+ Binghamton Fund levels as part of the post-campaign fundraising strategy.
• Coordinate with Major Gift Officers to ensure Binghamton Fund solicitation of major gift level prospects and assisting in increasing the overall percentage of assigned prospects making Leadership Society gifts to the Binghamton Fund.
• At the start of the fiscal year, conduct a feasibility analysis including the identification of past, current, and potential donors at the $1,000+ level.  Set goals for donors at each level of membership to continue to grow and strengthen Leadership Society giving.  Set annual activity goals (personal and phone solicitation goals and engagement strategies) based on this review. Document plans, goals, and results in the database to monitor and report on progress.
• Throughout the year, perform a range of data monitoring to inform and improve the solicitation process, including: LYBUNT and SYBUNT anniversary renewals each month, review of open pledges and pledge schedules for those in the Binghamton Fund solicitation pool; monitoring of Major Gift Officers’ portfolios and solicitations planned for those in the Binghamton Fund solicitation pool; monitoring any volunteer assignments; ongoing data integrity tests to identify and resolve entry errors; and preparation of monthly reports on solicitation status.  Document processes as needed.
• Throughout the year, ensure that donors are being appropriately thanked and stewarded through personal calls to support overall membership and donor retention goals.  Call and thank donors who make gifts of $250 or more in the Leadership Society pool and donors who make gifts of $1,000 or more.
• At the close of the fiscal year, conduct the Annual Review Process, which includes identification of prospects to be tracked at the Leadership Society level and coordinate with others who manage portfolios to determine the annual gift solicitation plan for each in the upcoming fiscal year.  
• Develop, implement and evaluate specific strategies to increase membership, including approaches for recognition to ensure strong retention along with effective marketing of societies for upgrades and acquisition.
• Work proactively with partners to promote giving societies. Maintain on-going communication with School and Unit colleagues to secure examples of Binghamton Fund gifts at work. Share these examples with division for talking points for any solicitors, collateral materials, web and external communication vehicles, and solicitation/stewardship of donors.
• Provide Binghamton Fund donor data to Schools and Units specific to their area as requested.  Work with Foundation IT to standardize and automate such reports as appropriate.
• Work in close collaboration with the advancement team, staff and volunteers to identify new donors for addition to the pool.  In monthly development team meetings, recommend prospects for movement to major gifts, prospects who should be added to the pool or who should be removed. 
• Participate in events and programs to engage and meet prospective donors.

Personal Solicitations (45%)

• Personally solicit top-level annual giving prospects. Set annual activity goals based on a review of the gift table and the number of individuals who are appropriate for solicitation. Document information in the database to assure proper recording and tracking of results.
• Make phone calls or conduct virtual visits as required to secure gifts, document contacts in the database; recommend donors for major or planned giving follow-up as appropriate.  

Professional development (5%)

• Review fundraising trade journals, books, and listservs to improve the annual giving program and develop enhanced solicitation strategies. Stay current on trends in the annual giving industry and changes in technology that affect the program.
• Forge relationships with colleagues at other institutions and organizations in an effort to learn best practices in the industry.
• As funding allows, participate in at least one professional development conference or educational program each year, if appropriate, in an effort to improve job skills and acquire broader knowledge of fundraising techniques used at other colleges and universities.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience, with preference for five (5) years, in development, thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of development and fundraising with an understanding of individual giving programs, detailed understanding of annual fundraising programs, such as direct mail, phonathons, and personal solicitation programs preferred and/or transferrable skills.  Experience in education-based fundraising strongly preferred.
• Proven success in soliciting and securing individual gifts. Demonstrated skills in effective relationship management with mid-level and high-level supporters.
• Knowledge of and compliance with the Fundraising Code of Ethics.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills including the ability to investigate, interpret, advise, compose, persuade, arbitrate, and autonomously determine conclusion. 
• Must have ability to safeguard confidential and sensitive donor and organizational information.
• Ability to form relationships with volunteers to cultivate, solicit and steward new donors.
• Conversant with relevant technologies and how they can be used in support of communicating, engaging donors and volunteers in activities, and measuring results. 
• Solid aptitude for working with databases, Word, Excel, and other e-resources is essential.  Experience with donor fundraising software, particularly Millennium, highly preferred.
• Ability to travel regularly across the region.
• Ability to manage process, deadlines, and budget while adhering to the policies and procedures of the organization and ability to get along with peers, volunteers and management. 

Additional Information:

Salary Range: $65,000 – $75,000 annually