Development Associate, Annual Fund

Who We Are:

For 140 years, National Louis University has been driven by one core belief: education changes lives. Since our founding, we've stayed grounded in the values of innovation, access, excellence, and equity, and we've never wavered from the idea that education is the greatest lever for social and economic mobility. We are a student-focused community built on continuous improvement and a genuine commitment to serving those we teach.

Through education, we empower change and build stronger, healthier communities. Our hard‑working team runs on collaboration and mutual respect, for one another and for every student we serve.

What You Will Do:

The Development Associate, Annual Fund supports the goals of the Advancement/Development Department at National Louis University by advancing annual fundraising efforts that increase philanthropic support from alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the University. Reporting to the Director of Annual Giving, this position helps execute annual giving strategies that grow donor participation, retention, and revenue through campaign implementation, donor stewardship, prospect research, reporting and analysis, and project coordination.

Working collaboratively across the Advancement team, the Development Associate helps build a sustainable pipeline of engaged donors while supporting the University's Annual Giving fundraising priorities.

Annual Giving Campaign Management and Donor Engagement:

• Support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of annual giving initiatives designed to increase philanthropic support. Coordinate annual fund campaigns and donor engagement activities, including giving days, commencement giving, faculty and staff giving, crowdfunding initiatives, donor recognition programs, and student philanthropy efforts. Provide support to the Director of Annual Giving through secondary moves management for donors and prospects. Manage campaign logistics, donor segmentation, stewardship activities, and coordination with internal and external partners to ensure meaningful outreach and successful execution.

Reporting, Analysis and Prospect Research:

• Monitor and evaluate annual giving performance through reporting, data analysis, and donor research. Prepare reports that measure campaign effectiveness, donor participation, retention, and fundraising results. Conduct prospect research and develop donor profiles to support cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies while partnering with Advancement Operations to maintain accurate donor data and reporting.

Project, Event and Administrative Coordination:

• Provide project management and administrative support for annual giving initiatives, including developing project timelines, coordinating vendors, maintaining calendars and shared documentation, supporting donor cultivation and recognition events, managing registrations and logistics, and assisting with other operational activities that contribute to successful fundraising efforts.

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Nonprofit Management, or other related field, required
• Minimum of 1 year of experience (3 preferred) in alumni relations, annual fund giving, direct mail appeals, communications, customer service, or other related field.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and good judgement
• High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
• Prior knowledge and familiarity with fundraising databases and email marketing (i.e. Salesforce)
• Teamwork Oriented
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  Demonstrates strong teamwork and collaboration by contributing ideas and skills, communicating openly, meeting commitments with accuracy and…