Director of Development, Eastern Michigan University Foundation

In 1989, the Eastern Michigan University Regents founded the Eastern Michigan University Foundation, with the sole mission and purpose to provide additional financial support to students, programs, services, and the educational community of Eastern Michigan University. The EMU Foundation solicits funds on behalf of the University with the purpose of increasing the sources and amounts of private funds for the benefit of the University. All fundraising activities and events undertaken by individual units of EMU are coordinated through the EMU Foundation. The EMU Foundation is governed by an independent group of volunteers who serve as the Board of Trustees that elects its own officers. In August, 2023, EMU Foundation concluded their Give Rise: The Campaign for Eastern Michigan University exceeding its fundraising goal of $100 million, raising more than $119 million to support student success, advance programs of distinction, and help students excel beyond the classroom.

Organizational Profile & Priorities

• Team: 26 team members plus several part-time student employees
• Foundation Priorities:
• Student Support
• Academics
• Athletics
• Meeting Community Need
• Grow our Endowment
  
  

The Opportunity: Director of Development

The Game Above College of Engineering & Technology is the fastest growing college at EMU, boasting ABET accreditation and 52 degree programs. This role has responsibility for partnering with Dean Mohamad Qatu to develop and execute philanthropic strategy in support of the college’s mission and priorities. The Director of Development will provide direct support to the Dean and Faculty of the college while partnering with Advancement team members in a highly collaborative environment.

Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement/Executive Director of the EMU Foundation, with a focus on individual major giving, the Director of Development creates plans for donor outreach with the collaboration of Advancement team members. Additionally, leads, inspires, and manages annual resource development goals and multi-year fundraising plan/strategy to support the college, students and faculty.

The Director of Development will be well supported by and will collaborate closely with the EMU Foundation's Advancement Services and Alumni Engagement teams. This includes direct fundraising support for annual giving programs, donor stewardship, and customized alumni engagement programming, event support, and communications to the constituencies from within the college. Additionally, they will work with the Data & Information Systems team to utilize robust prospect research and development, reporting, and gift & records support.

Key Performance Measures/Deliverables

Fulfills Advancement Performance Standards:

• Invest 60-80% of time on direct fundraising
• Manage a portfolio size, primary and secondary, of 100-150 donors
• Have 160-220 substantive interactions annually
• Perform 15-25 qualification or discovery meetings
• Complete 15-25 managed asks, with 10-20 closed; and 7-15 team asks
• Create an Annual Work Plan detailing:
• Division Priorities/Goals
• Job Specific Work Goals
• Professional Development
  
  

Donor Identification & Research

• Identify and qualify potential major gift donors.
• Conduct research on donor capacity, philanthropic interests, and giving history.
• Develop donor strategies based on wealth screenings and engagement analytics.
  
  

Donor Cultivation & Relationship Building

• Build and maintain strong relationships with prospective and current major donors.
• Conduct one-on-one meetings, campus visits, and personalized engagement activities. Engage regional donors in alignment with institutional fundraising strategies.
• Work closely with the Dean, faculty, and institutional leadership to align donor interests with institutional priorities.
  
  

Gift Solicitation & Proposal Development

• Develop tailored solicitation strategies for individual donors.
• Present funding opportunities through personalized proposals and case statements.
• Make direct asks for major gifts through in-person meetings, calls, and written proposals.
  
  

Donor Stewardship & Recognition

• Ensure proper acknowledgment and appreciation of major donors through thank-you letters, impact reports, and events.
• Provide ongoing engagement to deepen donor relationships and encourage future giving.
• Coordinate donor recognition programs, including naming opportunities and special acknowledgments.
  
  

Collaboration with Institutional Stakeholders

• Work closely with university leadership, advancement team members, and faculty to align fundraising goals.
• Partner with alumni relations, planned giving, and corporate/foundation relations teams to maximize donor engagement.
• Serve as a liaison between donors and institutional programs or projects they support.
  
  

Data Management & Reporting

• Maintain accurate donor records and track engagement activity using CRM tools (Raiser’s Edge).
• Prepare reports on progress toward fundraising goals and donor pipeline development.
• Use data analytics to refine donor strategies and measure success.
  
  

Event Participation & Major Gift Campaigns

• Support or organize donor cultivation events, including receptions, galas, and campus tours.
• Participate in campaign planning for capital projects, scholarships, endowments, and special initiatives.
• Coordinate follow-up strategies post-events to convert engaged donors into major contributors.
  
  

The Qualified Candidate

EMU seeks a focused philanthropy professional with proven experience achieving major giving goals, and cultivating relationships with prospects, donors and colleagues. The successful candidate will have a minimum of 3-5 years of experience. Prior experience within a higher education experience is desirable. The selected candidate will be collaborative, compassionate and charismatic, with a can-do attitude.

Specific Requirements Include

Key Competencies

• Relationship Building: Ability to cultivate and maintain long-term donor relationships.
• Fundraising Knowledge: Understanding of philanthropic trends, donor motivations, and gift solicitation techniques.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written skills for donor meetings, proposals, and presentations.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align donor interests with institutional priorities.
• Persuasion & Negotiation: Comfort with making direct gift solicitations and closing major donations.
• Confidentiality & Ethics: Knowledge of fundraising best practices, gift agreements, and donor confidentiality.
  
  

Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in business administration, communications, or a related field.
• Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) is preferred.
  
  

Personal competencies

• Relationship and trust building skills
• Highly credible with personal integrity
• Proactive and highly responsive
• Solution-oriented/Identifies new opportunities
• Results and goal oriented
• Excellent communications skills
• Confidence to take action and “run with things”
  
  

Eastern Michigan University Foundation offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package including health, dental and life insurance; a retirement plan with a 4% employer contribution; an outstanding vacation and time off policy; a tuition waiver program and much more. This role requires limited local travel for donor meetings. The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $110,000 annually.