Director of Annual Giving

Director of Annual Giving The Organization Marian is a Catholic college preparatory high school for young women sponsored by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Located in Bloomfield Hills, the mission of Marian High School is to ensure, within a Christian environment, an excellent education built on a strong academic curriculum, which will enable young women to value human diversity and live responsible lives of leadership and action based on gospel values.

Position Summary

(Full Time) As the Director of Annual Giving, you will play a pivotal role in fostering a vibrant culture of philanthropy. This position involves developing and implementing strategies to grow and maintain the annual Marian Fund, strengthen relationships with current parents and friends of Marian, lead signature events including Marian Benefit Evening and Spring Raffle and support other funding initiatives.

The Director is responsible for generating revenue by identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding individuals and businesses through sponsorships and annual support. This individual will manage a portfolio of mid-level donors, oversee key fundraising events, and ensure the effective operation of donor systems and processes in collaboration with the Advancement team.

The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and organizational skills, a passion for connecting people, and a deep appreciation for the values and traditions of Marian.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

• Manage a personal portfolio of annual giving donors ($1,000–$9,999), employing moves management strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts.
• Develop a pipeline of major gift prospects through strategic engagement and personalized outreach.
• Serve as the lead for the Parent Partnership Program, designing annual strategies to engage and solicit current parents.
• Lead monthly donor review sessions with the President and Vice President for Advancement
• Lead and execute direct mail solicitation, follow up strategies and appeal tracking Events & Campaigns
• Plan, coordinate, and execute Marian Benefit Evening (MBE), the school’s signature fundraising event.

Responsibilities include

overseeing fundraising goals, event logistics, volunteer recruitment, and committee leadership.

• Direct the Spring Raffle, including the creation and implementation of a detailed timeline, incentive structure, school engagement and fundraising metrics.
• Lead the setup and tracking of online fundraising tools, including management of the Click. Bid platform. Advancement Team & Strategy
• activity in Raiser’s Edge with attention to accuracy and timeliness.
• Support the production and accuracy of donor recognition materials and listings.
• Contribute to the annual Advancement Plan, supporting solicitation goals for the Marian Fund and campaign initiatives as directed by the Vice President for Advancement.
• Assist in identifying prospects for monthly and planned giving programs.
• Participate as a member of the Advancement Committee of the Board of Directors, offering insights and updates on annual giving performance.
• Assist with department-wide fundraising events and initiatives, promoting a collaborative and mission-focused culture within the Advancement Team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required
• Flexibility to work evening or weekend events/meetings throughout the year
• Minimum 3 years of experience in fundraising, with demonstrated success in annual giving (direct solicitation), donor relations, and event management.
• Experience managing direct reports and working cross-functionally with internal teams and volunteers.
• Must demonstrate strong business and financial acumen in a nonprofit setting
• Strong communication skills: clear and compelling writing, reporting, and public speaking
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships and exceptional customer service with key stakeholders, such as alumnae, faculty, staff, and students
• Experience managing several multi-faceted projects simultaneously and independently with a track record of exceeding expectations while delivering on-time results
• Strong technical skills are required - proficiency in MS Office suite, video conferencing, and working knowledge of design (Canva) and/or email marketing platforms a plus.
• Demonstrated expertise in CRM/databases (Raiser’s Edge preferred) and crowd funding platforms (Click. Bid preferred) Reports To Vice President for Advancement Personal Attributes and Competencies
• Passion for all-girls Catholic education and a strong alignment with the mission and values of Marian High School
• Proactive, strategic thinker with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with a strong commitment to delivering outstanding donor and community engagement
• Collaborative team player who fosters a positive and inclusive work environment
• Resilient and composed under pressure, demonstrating persistence, integrity, and a solutions-oriented mindset
• Highly organized with excellent time management, attention to detail, and the ability to meet deadlines consistently Interested and qualified candidates should complete an online application and submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]