Annual Giving and Stewardship Officer; UL

Job Summary

The Annual Giving and Stewardship Officer plays a key role in advancing the mission of the University of Minnesota Libraries by securing annual gifts and delivering a coordinated donor stewardship program. This role balances independent project leadership with strong collaboration across the Libraries, the University of Minnesota Foundation, and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. The Annual Giving and Stewardship Officer plans and implements annual giving fundraising strategies, manages donor outreach, and delivers stewardship activities that communicate gratitude and donor impact.

The role is responsible for maintaining and strengthening accurate donor data and documentation in the Donor Management System (DMS) to support portfolio management, prospect research, and data-informed fundraising strategies. This position operates with a high degree of independence while working collaboratively with Libraries Staff, the Events and Stewardship Manager, and University of Minnesota Foundation partners. Reporting to the University Libraries Senior Program Advisor and Researcher, the role is guided by the strategic direction of the Dean of Libraries, Development Director / Lead Development Officer for the University Libraries, and UMF leadership, and contributes to increasing the visibility, effectiveness, and sustainability of Libraries' fundraising efforts across the university and broader community.

• Program Development and Evaluation:
  Develop, implement, and evaluate annual giving programs and activities to ensure effectiveness and alignment with Libraries fundraising goals. Apply new approaches and engagement methods to improve results.
• Donor Relationship Management:
  Manage a portfolio of assigned donors by establishing, cultivating, and soliciting ongoing relationships that support annual giving objectives.
• Prospect Development and Pipeline Advancement:
  Identify, acquire, and prioritize donor prospects to support annual goals and long‑term Libraries strategies. Assess donor readiness and potential for increased giving and help move them along the donor continuum.
• Appeals and Outreach:
  Serve as the Libraries' lead for annual fundraising appeals. Develop clear, donor-centered messaging and engage donors through mail, email, crowdfunding, and emerging channels.
• Performance Tracking and Donor Responsiveness:
  Maintain annual fundraising goals and performance metrics. Ensure timely, accurate responses to donor inquiries to support donor trust and satisfaction.
• Cross‑Unit
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Provide Libraries‑specific guidance, content, and engagement opportunities to the UMF university‑wide development teams including Leadership Annual Giving (LAG), Regional, and Gift Planning, to support broader and coordinated development strategies and fundraising objectives.

• Internal Collaboration and Coordination:
  Build and maintain effective working relationships with Libraries leadership, curators, archivists, and staff to support coordinated stewardship and engagement efforts.
• Data Stewardship and Relationship Documentation:
  Expand and maintain the Libraries' presence in the Donor Management System (DMS) by capturing curator and archivist interactions with in-kind donors, alumni, and partners. Enter timely, accurate contact reports to document donor engagement and support UMF's data-driven prospect research and relationship strategies.
• Stewardship Program Delivery:
  Develop and implement a coordinated donor stewardship program that supports engagement, retention, and progression along the donor continuum. Ensure consistent and effective stewardship practices by preparing acknowledgement letters and emails and producing tailored stewardship materials, including individualized impact reports and thank-you videos, and communicate donor impact and outcomes.
• Event Support and Donor
  
  Experience:
  
  Collaborate with the Events and Stewardship Manager to support stewardship and outreach events, providing strategic input and on‑site assistance to enhance donor experience.
• Impact Communication and Recognition:
  Identify donor impact stories…