Associate Director, Annual Giving

The Associate Director of Annual Giving is an essential member of the Development team and leads revenue generating through individual and corporate giving initiatives, and supports with special fundraising events. The ideal candidate will have a proven record in individual giving and donor cultivation, and will have the opportunity to build new initiatives as well as amplify current initiatives for maximum impact. The Associate Director of Annual Giving will work closely with the Vice President of Development and Impact in setting strategy for the department.

The Associate Director of Annual Giving will work closely with internal staff to maintain strong expertise in programs, industry trends and environmental factors, and remain current on organizational activities and projects. The position will also maintain external contact with key stakeholders, donors and business partners. This position has access to sensitive organizational and funder information and is expected to handle such information with integrity and professionalism. This position has regular contact with high-level funders and colleagues and is expected to represent The Food Trust in a professional manner.

The Associate Director of Annual Giving is a member of our leadership team and will report to the Vice President of Development and Impact, and participate in organization and departmental activities, as necessary.

Essential Functions

ndividual Giving & Donor Relations

• Develop and implement annual giving strategies using direct mail, digital platforms, giving societies and crowdfunding
• Devise and execute donor communication strategies including appeals, newsletters and digital outreach
• Oversee donor acknowledgment processes and maintain high-quality donor database records using Salsa CRM(donor database platform)
• Analyze donor data to identify growth opportunities and enhance segmentation strategies
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, recognizing them with personalized communications and stewardship opportunities
• Support and manage fundraising events, including annual event and additional donor-centric events
• Partner with internal departments and external vendors to support fundraising campaigns

Corporate Partnership

• Research and develop corporate partnerships for programs and events
• Develop sponsorship marketing materials and customized proposal for corporate donors
• Grow, maintain and cultivate relationships with existing and new corporate partners
• Spearhead the coordination of program, communications and development staff to ensure timely delivery of sponsorships benefits
• Manage and grow the volunteer program for corporate partners with ongoing recognition initiatives 

Supervisory

• Work directly on a portfolio of work or on a shared basis with assigned staff, and provide daily supervision to respective Development team members
• Regularly direct the work and schedule of respective Development team members
• Independently determine and make recommendations for the hiring, firing, performance evaluations, disciplinary counseling, salary recommendations, workload distribution, communication, recognition activities, professional development and employee relations of assigned staff.
• Oversee and manage budgets for annual giving programs and related initiatives with support from VP

Non-Essential Functions

• Attend relevant workshops or join professional industry groups as necessary to maintain professional knowledge or certification.
• Provide educational opportunities to students and interns and to volunteers wanting a closer connection with the agency and an interest in this area of work.
• Adhere to The Food Trust’s security guidelines and ensures the appropriate handling of sensitive information.
• Facilitate and attend relevant staff meetings to promote communication and execution of goals.
• Complete special projects specific to the function of the program or as needed for the department as directed by the CEO.
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of position expectations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understanding of The Food Trust’s mission, goals and objectives and ability to work independently with a high level of energy and contribute as part of a larger team.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills. Proven experience building relationships with individual and corporate donors is preferred.
• Strong written skills, including experience creating donor-focused content across channels (print, digital, social).
• Strong analytical skills with ability to analyze giving trends, campaign performance and donor behavior to inform data-driven decision-making.
• Demonstrates effective project management strategies with the ability to coordinate all aspects of program objectives by carefully setting priorities, meeting deadlines, working effectively with others, and scheduling time efficiently all in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to effectively supervise others and apply sound management practices.
• Ability to operate a computer and use a variety of common software programs including Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, and customized databases.
• Strong understanding of multi-channel fundraising strategies and donor engagement; proficiency with donor databases and CRM systems, experience with Salsa a plus.

Experience, Education and Licensure

Minimum Experience: A minimum of 7 years of experience in related nonprofit development activities, including successful and proven experience in annual giving, fundraising, donor engagement and corporate partnerships. Supervisory experience preferred.

Minimum Education: BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university; graduate degree in related field of study preferred.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently sit while overseeing consulting program activities; the employee will on a daily basis stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or equipment; reach with hands and arms; balance; talk or hear. The employee will occasionally climb stairs; stoop; kneel; crouch or crawl; taste or smell.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds of program materials and other related documents.
• Operate related office equipment and use necessary tools. Daily use of keyboard and computer screen.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include frequent reading and close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Although most of the work is indoors, you will be required to travel outside to offices and community sites on a regular basis.
• This position may require travel to work sites in other parts of the country up to 10% of the time.
• Position may require occasional trips to attend conferences seminars, and meetings.
• May require working non-traditional hours based on operational needs.

Nothing in this position description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

The Food Trust adheres to the policy of providing equal employment opportunities to all job applicants and employees regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability or sexual orientation.