Philanthropy Specialist

Apply now Job no: 537940
Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Communications/Public Relations/Marketing, Advancement, Office/Administrative/Fiscal Support
Department:  - AD-VP ADVANCEMENT

Annual Giving Specialist

Bachelor’s degree and one year of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

The Philanthropy Specialist for Annual Giving serves as a Donor Experience Officer (DXO) to drive fundraising success at the University of Florida by executing strategies aimed at engaging donors, with a focus on lead generation, moves management and pipeline development. Reporting to the Senior Director of Lead Generation & Annual Giving Programs, this role is responsible for engaging with prospective donors to build long-term philanthropic relationships that support the mission of the University of Florida and each college, unit and department within UF Advancement.

The Specialist collaborates closely within development teams and Prospect Strategy & Research to deliver a seamless donor experience, ultimately generating referrals of warm leads to a major gift development officers.

• Actively engage with and build relationships with a portfolio of approximately 1,000 supporters and prospects.
• Leverage technology including Ever True’s cloud platform, social media platforms, and video conferencing software tools to build rapport, steward, and solicit donors in a donor-centric, targeted, high-velocity manner.
• Execute monthly and quarterly touchpoint cadences (averaging 50 outbound touch points per day) across portfolio to ensure consistent and relevant donor communication.
• Meet and exceed clearly defined goals with an emphasis on virtual meetings with prospective donors and number of personalized communications delivered.
• Be fluent in the “menu” of engagement and philanthropic opportunities across the University (regional alumni events, on-campus events, mentorship, and volunteer opportunities, crowdfunding campaigns, fundraising priorities) to inform conversations and solicitations.
• Embrace a “mile-wide and inch-deep” approach to serving as a proactive advisor on resources available to donors across the institution.
• Build relationships across the university campus to be able to connect donors with relevant individuals and/or departments when applicable.
• Work closely with assigned units including colleges, units and central departments to collect relevant updates for prospect engagement including regional event information, celebrations, initiatives and specific departmental outreach communications.
• Deploy Annual Giving solicitations for Campaigns and Programs teams when warranted for specific prospects.
• Maintain accurate donor records and pipeline tracking in the CRM system, ensuring timely follow-ups, reporting and prospect contact reports.

At the University of Florida, we are feeding communities, healing coastlines, exploring space, curing diseases, powering cities, building industries, and imagining wonders. As the state’s most comprehensive university, UF is a land, sea, and space grant institution with ties to every Florida county, a top academic medical center, and much more. The ideas born here gather steam and make tangible impacts.

Florida is among the nation’s leaders in technology transfer, turning discoveries into companies, products, and jobs. Come join us—let’s see where we can go together.

Gainesville, Florida is a vibrant, welcoming city known for its natural beauty, rich culture, and strong sense of community. As home to the University of Florida and UF Health, it is a hub for education, healthcare, and innovation. With award‑winning parks, a thriving arts scene, and a variety of dining and entertainment options, Gainesville offers something for everyone.

Ranked the #1 city to move to in Florida by USA Today in 2024, Gainesville combines small‑town charm with big‑city amenities—making it a great place to live, work, and thrive. Visit the city’s website for community information.

$50,000–$55,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.