Imagine turning a first gift into a lifelong connection to Kalamazoo College—and helping thousands of alumni, families, and friends see the difference their support can make. As Director, Annual Giving, you will shape the strategies and stories that inspire that connection, leading integrated campaigns that grow unrestricted support, strengthen donor participation and retention, and build the pipeline for major and planned giving. Along the way, you will guide a talented team, use data to uncover opportunities, collaborate across campus, and build meaningful relationships with donors who believe in the College’s future.

This position reports to the Assistant Vice President, Constituent Programs and Annual Giving. 🔗 Apply via Indeed

In this role, you will

• Lead annual giving strategy and serve as the primary expert for the Kalamazoo College Fund, Hornet Athletics Association, and other priority fundraising initiatives.
• Translate Advancement goals into actionable plans, timelines, budgets, and performance measures.
• Design, execute, analyze, and continuously improve multi-channel campaigns, including direct mail, digital, social media, giving days, peer-to-peer outreach, and staff solicitations.
• Use data, audience segmentation, and performance analytics to strengthen donor acquisition, retention, upgrades, and return on investment.
• Expand personalized solicitation, including the 1833 Society, and manage a portfolio of leadership and emerging leadership annual fund donors and prospects.
• Supervise and develop the annual giving team, currently 2.5 FTEs, while fostering a collaborative, results-focused culture.
• Partner with development, donor relations, alumni engagement, College Marketing and Communications, Advancement Services, volunteers, and other campus colleagues.
• Provide regular progress and results updates to Advancement leadership and key volunteers.
• Support required Homecoming and Commencement weekend activities and other on- and off-campus events as needed.

You’re a great fit if you have

We’re seeking someone with many of the following traits.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in annual giving, advancement, nonprofit development, constituent outreach, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated success planning and managing multi-channel fundraising campaigns and achieving revenue goals.
• Experience supervising staff and managing workflows in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong analytical skills and experience using data and audience segmentation to guide strategy and decisions.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to build trust with donors, parents, friends of the College, colleagues, and volunteers.
• Knowledge of current annual giving and donor engagement practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and experience using databases, CRMs, and fundraising or engagement technologies.
• Sound judgment in managing confidential information.
• A valid Michigan driver’s license and a driving record that meets College policy.

We welcome your application even if you do not meet every preferred qualification. If your experience and skills align with much of the role and you are excited about advancing Kalamazoo College’s mission, we encourage you to apply.

Please submit a resume and cover letter. A cover letter is required to be considered for this opportunity. A review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Why Kalamazoo College?

Kalamazoo College is a selective, nationally known liberal arts college offering a personalized, integrated undergraduate experience through the K-Plan, which connects a traditional liberal arts curriculum with individualized research and experiential learning in the United States and abroad. Founded in 1833, the College is one of the Colleges That Change Lives. Located midway between Chicago and Detroit, Kalamazoo offers a vibrant metropolitan community, four college and university campuses, arts and cultural organizations, and abundant outdoor recreation.

The campus of Kalamazoo College is located midway between Chicago and Detroit in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a metropolitan community of 261,000, which supports multiple college and university campuses along with numerous civic arts and cultural associations and sports teams. Thirty-five miles from Lake Michigan, the area offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation, a walkable downtown, outstanding restaurants, and plenty of family-friendly activities. The city is home to the Kalamazoo Promise, which covers up to 100% tuition and fees at Michigan colleges, universities, and trade schools for graduates of Kalamazoo Public Schools.

The Division of College Advancement is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff and cultivating a culture of inclusion and connectedness. We aim to create a welcoming workplace that celebrates the diversity of our staff, alumni, and donors.

Benefits

Kalamazoo College encourages candidates who will contribute to the cultural diversity of the College to apply and to identify themselves if they wish. An equal opportunity employer, Kalamazoo College is committed to equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal protection under the law. Please be invited to review our full EEO statement by visiting https://www.kzoo.edu/about/nondiscrimination-policy/. To provide a safe and secure educational environment, Kalamazoo College conducts criminal background reviews on all people who receive an offer of employment. Kalamazoo College is an E-Verify participating employer. Please select Notice and Rights for more information.