Donor Engagement Lead, Annual Giving

Merrimack College Federal Cu; Andover (MA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Merrimack College is seeking an Annual Giving Officer to oversee the discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Merrimack Fund donors. The role manages three donor segments and a portfolio of up to 200 prospects, engaging them via in-person, virtual, phone, and email outreach.

The position supports giving societies, collaborates with Major Gifts, and participates in campus and regional events, with some evening/weekend travel required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; 1–3 years in development or related field.
• Experience in higher education preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Experience in fundraising, marketing, event planning, or volunteer management.

Responsibilities

• Manage and actively cultivate a portfolio of up to 200 Merrimack Fund donors and prospects across GOLD, under-4k annual donors, and mid-level donors with Major Gifts collaboration.
• Build and strengthen relationships with graduates of the last decade, donors under $5,000, and donors in the $5,000–$24,999 range to foster engagement and giving.
• Leverage face-to-face and virtual meetings, phone calls, emails, and other communications to build donor relationships and increase support.
• Execute outreach campaigns tied to College initiatives such as annual appeals, the Annual Day of Giving, and fiscal year-end efforts.
• Meet defined fundraising metrics, track activity in the CRM, and complete contact reports.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Merrimack College is seeking an Annual Giving Officer to oversee the discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Merrimack Fund donors. The role manages three donor segments and a portfolio of up to 200 prospects, engaging them via in-person, virtual, phone, and email outreach.

The position supports giving societies, collaborates with Major Gifts, and participates in campus and regional events, with some evening/weekend travel required.