Leadership Annual Gift Officer

Working with both Philanthropy & Engagement and Student Affairs in a collaborative, cross-divisional position, this Leadership Annual Gift Officer (LAG Officer) represents JMU with professionalism and warmth, reinforcing a culture of philanthropy and donor-centered engagement.

The LAG Officer plays a critical role in strengthening the university's philanthropic pipeline by building meaningful, sustained relationships with donors making leadership-level annual gifts (generally but not exclusively $1,000-$10,000). This position focuses on these midlevel philanthropists, particularly those with an interest in supporting student life at JMU, while serving as an important bridge between annual giving strategies and major gift qualification. The LAG Officer works primarily onsite at JMU.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Donor Engagement and Fundraising

Manage a portfolio of 100-125 prospective LAG donors to cultivate and solicit them.
Champion key Student Affairs funds and university priorities through both personalized donor conversations and targeted solicitations.
Connect prospective donors in the portfolio with relevant JMU and Student Affairs leaders, invite them to events that will appeal to them and make direct appeals/asks. (Most contact is digital and virtual with select travel and some on-campus engagement.)
Secure leadership-level annual gifts and contribute to donor retention and upgrade strategies for thoughtful progression toward larger and more complex gifts; qualify donors for introduction to colleagues in Strategic Gifts.
Encourage leadership-level annual donors to issue challenges for Giving Day and oversee collaboration between Annual Giving and Strategic Gifts on challenges for Giving Day, including but not limited to those relating to Student Affairs.
Collaborate on and promote university-wide, affinity-based fundraising efforts that include leadership-level annual gifts (e.g. Women for Madison's Amethyst Circle, Family Engagement's Parents and Families Leadership Society).
Collaborate with Philanthropy & Engagement colleagues, particularly those in Annual Giving, and Student Affairs partners to develop an annual work plan and a multi-year strategy aligned with solicitation and stewardship calendars. Where appropriate, initiate gift agreements and help develop case statements.
Communicate Student Affairs' philanthropic priorities and translate the division's mission and impact into compelling donor engagement strategies.

Public Relations and Donor Stewardship

Serve Student Affairs as a liaison to Philanthropy & Engagement offices, as well as a strategist in developing SA fundraising efforts led by the Office of Annual Giving and discovering prospects to be managed by the Office of Strategic Gifts. The LAGO will be an essential member of relationship management teams.
Participate, as appropriate, in Student Affairs board and leadership meetings and related engagement opportunities, including coordination with Student Affairs for on-campus and student-focused philanthropy activities (e.g. Giving Day).
Work with Annual Giving, Donor Relations, and Student Affairs partners to ensure midlevel donors are thanked, recognized, and informed of their impact through coordinated stewardship efforts.

Qualifications:

Required:

Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
Demonstrated experience in fundraising, donor engagement, sales, relationship management, or a related field with transferrable skills
Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and follow-through
Comfort engaging with donors in one-to-one and small-group settings
Demonstrated connection or expressed interest in student life and Student Affairs initiatives

Preferred:

Experience in higher education advancement, annual giving, or midlevel fundraising
Familiarity with donor databases, CRM systems, and data-informed fundraising strategies

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