Annual Giving Officer

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 54,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages, paid holidays, and

Tuition Benefit Program

Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy

Flexible spending accounts

Retirement plans with employer contrib

PSLF/financial counseling services

Employee Transit Pass

Job summary

The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum seeks an Annual Giving Officer to raise annual support and strengthen its donor pipeline. You will develop campaigns, solicit and steward donors, and partner with the Senior Manager of Membership and Annual Giving to align tactics across advancement teams.

In this role you’ll manage multi-channel appeals, donor communications, events, and stewardship activities that advance philanthropic support for the Arboretum’s operating budget.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree or equivalent.
• At least two years in fundraising, membership, or sales.
• Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management and multitasking abilities.
• Experience using a CRM for donor tracking and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the Arboretum's annual giving strategy.
• Manage multi-channel annual giving campaigns and donor communications.
• Oversee donor stewardship and giving society renewals.
• Collaborate with Advancement and Marketing teams to align efforts.
• Engage donors and manage inquiries via phone/email.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

CRM database

Project management

Communication

Education

BA/BS degree

Job description

About the Job

Position Overview: The Annual Giving Officer helps raise significant annual support revenue for the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's operating budget. In partnership with the Senior Manager of Membership and Annual Giving, this position develops and implements a comprehensive annual giving strategy. The Annual Giving Officer identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards donors through a variety of channels. By overseeing ongoing mass-market solicitations, implementing seasonal fundraising campaigns, conducting annual giving donor stewardship, and partnering with colleagues throughout the Advancement Department, the Annual Giving Officer strengthens the Arboretum's donor pipeline and advances long‑term philanthropic support.

Responsibilities

Annual Support Fundraising (70%)

• Develop and implement the Arboretum's overall annual giving strategy in alignment with applicable fundraising goals, in partnership with the Senior Manager of Membership and Annual Giving.
• Manage seasonal annual giving campaigns across multiple channels, with moderate direction from Senior Manager of Membership and Annual Giving. Build project plans, write content, send communications, collaborate across departments, and analyze results of annual giving campaigns.
• Manage and implement monthly appeal efforts to renew Arboretum Giving Society and Gold Plus members.
• Review, analyze, and ensure data quality within complex donor databases and applicable software. Provide solutions for technical or operational issues to complete annual giving efforts.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Advancement Department to implement fundraising tactics, maintain processes, and ensure cohesion between teams' efforts.
• Coordinate project plans and requests with Marketing & Communications Team; ensure appropriate data is shared with Advancement Operations Team; collaborate with gift officers on Development Team to align annual giving strategies with donor pipeline development.
• Engage with donors regarding annual gifts, memberships, or other philanthropic opportunities.
• Oversee the Arboretum's external fundraising phone line and email inbox, independently responding to donor inquiries related to annual giving and facilitating appropriate follow up.
• Plan and implement annual giving events, including donor gratitude events for Board of Trustee members and annual giving day engagement activities.
• Identify and solicit additional donor segments for annual giving appeals based on donor behavior, interests, and giving patterns.
• Identify opportunities to deepen donor engagement and increase giving levels among annual donors.
• Alongside the Senior Manager of Membership and Annual Giving, manage partnership with the Leadership Annual Giving Team at the University of Minnesota Foundation to further engage annual support donors and identify major donor prospects.

Donor Stewardship (20%)

• Integrate seasonal stewardship communications into the broader annual giving strategy to ensure alignment with fundraising goals, in collaboration with the Senior Manager of Membership and Annual Giving.
• Design and implement a comprehensive process to routinely thank donors for their annual support contributions, ensuring timely, meaningful, and consistent donor recognition.
• Review donor gift acknowledgements.
• Coordinate annual process to review and compile donor recognition lists within Arboretum's annual report.
• Manage seasonal stewardship initiatives for annual giving donors, in partnership with Events and Stewardship Manager.

Other (10%)

• Oversee inventory and supplies related to annual giving efforts.
• Schedule meetings, coordinate volunteers, and manage logistics related to annual giving initiatives.
• Support and attend donor-related events, such as the annual Arboretum Giving Society event or Board of Trustee meetings as requested.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support team goals.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H‑1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree
• At least two years of professional experience in a fundraising, membership, or sales role.
• Demonstration of excellent interpersonal skills with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks, organize work, and follow through independently.
• Demonstrated experience using a CRM database for donor tracking, reporting, and analysis.
• Strong data orientation, aptitude in managing data to achieve objectives, and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in annual giving fundraising.
• Previous experience working in a public garden, cultural institution, or University setting.
• Previous experience leveraging project management software, such as Asana.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift and/or move printed or event materials, approximately 15 pounds
• Ability to work at a desk and use a computer for prolonged periods.

About the Department

Organizational Overview

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, part of the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS), is a vibrant hub where science, education, and community converge to foster a deeper connection between people and the natural world. Rooted in plant science and driven by a passion for sustainability, the Arboretum champions values of excellence, curiosity, collaboration, and inclusivity. Our bold vision - to be a world‑class Arboretum connecting people and plants for the planet - guides everything we do, from innovative conservation efforts and groundbreaking research to immersive public experiences. For generations, the Arboretum has been a welcoming place where people come together to explore, learn, and build lasting connections with nature and each other.

Team members regularly interact with visitors, members, donors, community partners, and volunteers. Working at the Arboretum means joining a passionate community committed to the natural world, environmental stewardship, education, and inclusivity. Join us in cultivating wonder, advancing knowledge, and nurturing a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

Department and Team Overview

Advancement Department includes four teams with the shared role of deepening constituent relationships at the Arboretum. Advancement Department teams include Advancement Operations, Development, Marketing & Communications, and Membership & Annual Giving.

Membership & Annual Giving Team supports the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's mission by building internal and external relationships through curiosity, partnership, and shared purpose. The team turns everyday interactions into lasting connections that inspire support, create a sense of belonging, and grow passionate advocates for the natural world. By elevating member voices and generating vital philanthropic revenue, the team helps sustain and advance the Arboretum's mission.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $25.89 - $29.00 a hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree‑seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low‑cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer‑paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world‑renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work‑life flexibility.