Annual Giving Officer

Reporting to the Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations and in collaboration with the Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, the Annual Giving Officer is responsible for the discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of Merrimack Fund donors. This position manages fundraising activity in three distinct donor segments:

• Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) – with an emphasis on cultivating leadership-level gifts.
• Annual Fund Donors under $5,000 – focusing on strengthening participation, retention, and upgrades.
• Annual Fund Donors ($5,000–$24,999) – in close partnership with the Major Gifts team to identify, engage, and steward these donors as part of the broader leadership giving pipeline. The officer will manage a portfolio of up to 200 prospects and execute engagement strategies across in-person, virtual, phone, and email channels with weekly outreach goals. The Annual Giving Officer plays a critical role in strengthening the culture of philanthropy at Merrimack College, consistent with the College’s Augustinian mission of educating the whole person.

• Manage and actively cultivate a portfolio of up to 200 Merrimack Fund donors and prospects across three areas: graduates of the last decade (GOLD), annual donors under $5,000, and mid-level prospects in collaboration with Major Gifts colleagues.
• Build and strengthen relationships with:
  • Graduates of the last decade to foster sustained philanthropy.
  • Annual donors under $5,000 to encourage retention, upgrades, and recurring giving.
  • Annual Fund Donors ($5,000–$24,999) to advance engagement strategies with the Major Gifts team.
• Leverage face-to-face and virtual meetings, phone calls, emails, and other communications to build strong donor relationships and increase philanthropic 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, including donor meetings, solicitations, and proposals, as set annually by the supervisor.
• Track and document all prospect activity in the College’s CRM system through timely and accurate contact reports.
• Complete phone solicitations at calendar year-end and fiscal year-end to encourage giving and thank donors.
• Collaborate with the Annual Giving team to identify and engage donors through data analysis, targeted outreach, and personalized stewardship.
• Support giving societies through event planning, stewardship, and communications, and assist with cultivation and stewardship events both on campus and in regional markets.
• Partner with colleagues across Advancement, faculty, staff, and volunteers to strengthen alumni engagement and participation.
• Perform additional duties as assigned that further the mission and goals of the Office of Development & Alumni Relations.
• Some evening, weekend, and out-of-town travel required.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and 1–3 years of development or related experience, with preference for experience in a higher education setting.
• Track record of successful experience in institutional advancement, fundraising, marketing, event planning, and/or volunteer management.
• Sophisticated interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop relationships with individuals capable of making philanthropic contributions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Resume
• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission and our values.

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building an accepting and respectful community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute to Merrimack’s…