Annual Giving & Engagement Lead

Lake Forest College; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Lake Forest College seeks an Assistant Director of Annual Engagement to collaborate with the Director of Annual Engagement in creating, managing, and implementing a comprehensive annual giving program. The role coordinates campaigns across phone, direct mail, email, SMS, and crowdfunding; supports donor and alumni engagement and athletics fundraising; and helps supervise student philanthropy initiatives.

This position emphasizes relationship-building, data-driven decision making, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 1 year work experience in annual giving, direct marketing, fundraising or related field.
• Experience with Slate CRM or similar preferred (Razor’s Edge, etc).
• Ability to use data to develop new initiatives and strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute effective strategies for soliciting annual gift prospects and building the leadership annual giving program through a solicitation calendar that uses all forms of annual giving solicitations including telephone, direct mail, email, SMS, and crowdfunding appeals.
• Lead strategy, execution, and assessment of student philanthropy programs (e.g., Student Philanthropy Council, Philanthropy Awareness Week, Senior Class Giving) and manage student volunteers and training.
• Manage engagement strategies for young alumni (0–10 years out) to deepen connection and increase participation.
• Develop and implement crowdfunding and digital campaigns using GiveCampus for Forester Athletics, Giving Tuesday, Forester Day, Young Alumni appeal, etc.
• Assist with drafting and editing annual giving communications for all channels and audiences.
• Participate in campus events and represent the Annual Engagement team at campus partner events.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Excel

Communication skills

Project management

Collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Slate CRM

Job description

Lake Forest College seeks an Assistant Director of Annual Engagement to collaborate with the Director of Annual Engagement in creating, managing, and implementing a comprehensive annual giving program. The role coordinates campaigns across phone, direct mail, email, SMS, and crowdfunding; supports donor and alumni engagement and athletics fundraising; and helps supervise student philanthropy initiatives.

This position emphasizes relationship-building, data-driven decision making, and