Annual Giving Officer

About the Acton Institute

For thirty-five years, the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty has promoted a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles. We are an ecumenical, nonprofit research organization that promotes the benefits of free enterprise and the interdependence of moral principles and true freedom to religious communities, businesspeople, students, and educators. With an international scope, Acton manages a robust publishing and events outreach that argues for a moral foundation to the market economy. Wholly independent, the nonpartisan Institute works across many faith traditions including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Our intellectual research, teaching, and popularization at the intersection of faith and economics, morality and markets, and religion and liberty are unique in the liberty movement as is our reach among the religiously minded.

About the Role
The Acton Institute is looking for a data-driven and creative Annual Giving Officer to assist in raising private philanthropic funds to advance its mission. This individual will build upon existing efforts and work closely with the Donor Relations and Stewardship Manager, Development Operations Specialist, Vice President of Development, the marketing/communications team and the entire advancement team to create a comprehensive, metric-based, and donor-centric program that retains donors and elevates their giving, acquires new donors, reacquires lapsed donors, and identifies major gifts prospects. They will manage all annual giving activities such as direct mail, digital fundraising, crowdfunding, affinity group appeals, and other innovative initiatives to increase annual support to the institute.

The ideal candidate will have at least two years of fundraising experience, excellent communication skills - particularly in writing - proficiency with CRM’s, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a clear understanding of and alignment with Acton’s mission and vision. This is a full-time position located in Grand Rapids, MI, and reports to the Donor Relations and Stewardship Manager.
The projected salary is contingent upon the specific skills and experience of the selected candidate.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement annual short-term and long-term strategic plans for annual fundraising
• Collaborate with the advancement team to use annual-giving best practices, data analysis, and emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence, to determine appropriate cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies
• Craft inspiring and informative call-to-actions across multiple vehicles for current, lapsed, and prospective donors
• Create metrics to measure annual giving initiatives’ performance and success of acquisition, reacquisition, retention, and upgrading of annual donors
• Manage solicitation of annual giving prospects including but not limited to digital and direct mail, phone, text, and website
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communication department to create and execute all electronic solicitation materials and print materials (e.g. program impact reports)
• Collaborate with the Donor Stewardship and Events Manager to execute all stewardship plans for annual donors
• Partner with major gift colleagues to identify potential major and planned gift prospects from annual donors
• Assist with special projects as necessary
• Participate in other events and advancement activities as needed
• Actively pursue professional development

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in fundraising, preferably in annual giving or direct mail, or equivalent in combined education and experience
• Experience analyzing data and metrics to establish goals and create an annual fund strategic plan
• Adept at working with database systems and software packages for the purpose of segmentation
• Be an excellent writer capable of producing persuasive copy with ease and speed
• Possess high-level organizational skills and business acumen with the ability to prioritize work and follow-up with meticulous attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong alignment with the Institute’s mission and culture, possessing the desire and ability to promote a free and virtuous society
• Have a commitment to lifelong learning and passion for the work of the Institute
• Demonstrate professional decorum at all times
• Treat coworkers and all Acton guests with respect and collaborate effectively as a team player with all members of the organization
• Be flexible, forthright, ambitious, comfortable in a fast-paced setting, thoughtful, and creative in achieving results
• Bachelor’s degree

To Apply
Please complete this application, including submitting your resume and cover letter. Your cover letter should include a paragraph describing the reasons you are drawn to the Acton Institute and its mission.

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.