What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Philanthropy and Donor Relations position at Coker University?
Position Summary
The Director of Philanthropy and Donor Relations leads Coker University's leadership giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, and stewardship efforts.
This position manages a portfolio of leadership giving donors and prospects, primarily focused on gifts between $1,000 and $25,000, utilizing a comprehensive moves management process to advance donor relationships and philanthropic investment.
The Director is responsible for securing financial support for university priorities, growing and stewarding the Coker Society, developing meaningful donor engagement opportunities, and strengthening the university's philanthropic pipeline.
Working collaboratively with university leadership and advancement colleagues, the Director helps advance the university's fundraising goals and long-term sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
Applicants should provide evidence of:
The Director of Philanthropy and Donor Relations leads Coker University's leadership giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, and stewardship efforts.
This position manages a portfolio of leadership giving donors and prospects, primarily focused on gifts between $1,000 and $25,000, utilizing a comprehensive moves management process to advance donor relationships and philanthropic investment.
The Director is responsible for securing financial support for university priorities, growing and stewarding the Coker Society, developing meaningful donor engagement opportunities, and strengthening the university's philanthropic pipeline.
Working collaboratively with university leadership and advancement colleagues, the Director helps advance the university's fundraising goals and long-term sustainability.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies, including planned giving, leadership giving, and donor engagement initiatives that strengthen philanthropic support and advance University priorities.
- Manage a portfolio of donors, prospects, corporations, and foundations by cultivating relationships, soliciting support, securing gifts and grants, and expanding philanthropic participation and investment.
- Oversee donor stewardship and scholarship fund management through communications, impact reporting, donor recognition, engagement events, and meaningful opportunities that connect donors with the impact of their philanthropy.
- Maintain accurate donor and prospect records within the university's CRM and collaborate with advancement colleagues, university leadership, faculty, and staff to support fundraising campaigns, strategic initiatives, events, reporting, and overall advancement operations.
- Complete 125–150 donor visits annually.
- Submit at least 10–15 leadership giving or grant proposals annually.
- Identify and qualify 20 new donors and 20 prospects annually.
- Advance assigned prospects through the donor pipeline using a documented moves management process.
- Conduct ongoing prospect research and wealth screening to support portfolio development and pipeline growth
Applicants should provide evidence of:
- Achieving measurable fundraising, revenue, or donor engagement results.
- Securing philanthropic support through individual giving, grants, corporate partnerships, or related fundraising initiatives.
- Successfully managing multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines while maintaining strong attention to detail.
- Utilizing data, prospect research, and relationship-building strategies to identify opportunities and drive results.
- Demonstrating strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Working collaboratively with colleagues and leadership to advance institutional goals.