Annual Giving Manager
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The Manager, Annual & Leadership Giving will lead the execution of all portfolio marketing appeals, including annual giving plans, solicitation calendars, list management and queries, critical paths, creative briefs, copy briefs, and instructions to fulfillment houses. This role will also ensure a strong program is developed and in place for Annual, Leadership Giving, Monthly, and Tribute donors.
Core Competencies:
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Ability to develop donor appeals, acknowledgments, and other related correspondence as required; expertise in direct mail and digital marketing strategies is an asset.
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Strong understanding of donor-centric communications with experience in developing both written and verbal messages for donor stewardship and solicitation.
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Proven experience in engaging, stewarding, and soliciting donors.
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Self-starter with a bias for action; solutions-oriented with the ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work while managing multiple tasks.
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Strong project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
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Excellent oral and written communication skills.
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Strong understanding of donor database management and gift processing.
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Proficient with standard desktop software (e.g., MS Office), specialized fundraising software (e.g., Raiser’s Edge), and automation tools (e.g., ThankView).
Education and Experience Requirements:
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Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in fundraising or demand generation, preferably with a leadership and annual giving background.
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Experience interacting with prospects and/or donors in person, on the phone, and crafting email correspondence.
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Exceptional customer service orientation.
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Experience with data analysis to understand giving patterns, prospect identification, and moving donors through the pipeline.
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Relevant post-secondary education.
Annual Giving Responsibilities:
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Provide leadership in implementing targeted direct response marketing campaigns to achieve growth objectives while maintaining effective cost ratios.
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Collaborate with the Director, Philanthropy, to create campaign materials for direct marketing programs and ensure omnichannel communications are implemented with the Marketing & Communications team.
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Manage the execution of annual giving plans, including monthly and tribute giving, solicitation calendars, list management, critical paths, creative briefs, and instructions to fulfillment houses.
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Provide ongoing reports and statistical and financial information.
Leadership Giving Responsibilities:
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Manage a portfolio of leadership ($1,000-$9,999) giving donors and work collaboratively with other staff members to support donor stewardship and engagement.
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Retain leadership donors through excellent stewardship, leading to renewals and increased giving.
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Develop strategies and implement plans to steward and solicit donors within the leadership portfolio.
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Support the identification of major gift prospects within the leadership giving portfolio and work with colleagues to transition donor relationships to the major gifts team.
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Consistently and appropriately record all donor contacts and interactions in the database.
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Ensure timely and accurate acknowledgment of all donations.
Key Outcomes:
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Increased donor engagement, average gift amount, and retention rate within the annual and leadership giving portfolios.
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Growth in the number of new leadership, annual, and monthly donors.
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Engagement opportunities for lapsed donors.a