Annual Giving Officer

Position Description:

The Annual Giving Officer is a frontline fundraiser dedicated to growing support for the Valpo Fund, the University's unrestricted annual fund that provides critical resources for scholarships, academic innovation, and student success. The officer will focus on expanding the donor base by re-engaging lapsed donors, acquiring new supporters, and strengthening donor loyalty through consistent annual giving. This role requires a results-oriented professional who is energized by building relationships, designing creative campaigns, and driving measurable fundraising growth for Valpo.

Major Responsibilities:

• Grow the Valpo Fund: Identify, qualify, solicit, and steward individuals for the Valpo Fund.
• Donor Reactivation: Lead targeted initiatives to bring back lapsed donors through personalized solicitations, outreach, and stewardship.
• New Donor Acquisition: Identify and cultivate prospective alumni, parents, and friends to broaden the Valpo Fund's base of support.
• Portfolio Management: Manage a portfolio of annual giving donors and prospects, conducting outreach to secure new gifts, renewals, and upgrades.
• Leadership Annual Giving: Collaborate with colleagues to move donors into higher levels of annual support and into the major gift pipeline.
• Data-Driven Strategy: Use giving data, segmentation, and analytics to track progress, inform decisions, and adjust tactics for acquisition and reactivation.
• Donor Stewardship: Partner with advancement colleagues to deliver timely, meaningful stewardship that increases donor retention and loyalty.
• Campaign Innovation: Play a key role in Giving Tuesday, Valpo Day (Valpo's annual Day of Giving), and crowdfunding initiatives.

Other Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• 1–2 years of experience in annual giving, fundraising, sales, or marketing (higher education preferred).
• Proven success in meeting fundraising or revenue goals.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong project management abilities with attention to detail.
• Data-driven with knowledge of CRM/database systems (Raiser's Edge, Slate, or similar).
• Creative, results-oriented mindset with a passion for donor engagement.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Valparaiso University.

All offers of employment with Valparaiso University are contingent upon the clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks may include criminal history, motor vehicle reports, prior employment verification, and personal/professional references. If applicable to the position, they will also include credit history. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates for employment.

To be considered for this position, you must upload:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• List of 3 professional references
• Answer all application questions

Please address the cover letter to:

Christine Radtke, Assistant VP of Development
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana