Annual Giving Manager

THE ORGANIZATION

The Fuller Foundation is an independent Christian philanthropic services organization that provides financial support for Fuller Theological Seminary through annual and endowment fundraising, gift planning, capital campaign management, and funding for restricted purposes. Founded in 1987 and located in Pasadena, CA, the Foundation also offers estate planning, charitable trust administration, donor-advised funds, endowment management, and investment management services for Fuller’s supporters. The Fuller Foundation purview further encompasses Fuller’s extensive alumni relations programs, serving Fuller’s more than 40,000 alumni globally.

Fuller Theological Seminary, the organization that The Fuller Foundation serves and supports, has had a global impact and rich history throughout its 75 years. Today, its focus is to offer God’s hope and healing in the world. One of the largest multidenominational seminaries in the world, Fuller serves 3,000 students and learners from 90 countries and 110 denominations. Two schools (School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy and the School of Mission and Theology), multiple locations, and many renowned centers and institutes enable Fuller to offer a full range of master’s and doctoral programs in traditional, cohort-based, and virtual settings. Fuller further offers resources and significant formation and equipping opportunities for Christians who are not on a degree track but are interested in deeper embodiment of their faith. From founder Charles E. Fuller’s original vision until now, Fuller Seminary’s core commitment has remained the same: equipping leaders with minds for scholarship and hearts for the unchanging, saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Annual Giving Manager is a key contributor to the philanthropic success of Fuller Theological Seminary, responsible for managing and executing all annual giving appeals, including comprehensive campaigns, giving days, and targeted fund development appeals. This position ensures alignment with the seminary’s mission, strategic goals, and community-building efforts. The position also includes management of donor engagement, stewardship, and analytics for all donors giving $1 to $9,999. This role requires collaboration with the Alumni Engagement team to identify, solicit, and steward alumni donors, fostering relationships and growing the seminary’s donor base.

The Annual Giving Manager will play a crucial role as a project manager, working closely with internal communications team members, regional frontline fundraisers, and alumni relations colleagues to ensure seamless execution of annual fundraising initiatives. This position requires strong organizational skills to oversee timelines, manage data, and ensure the timely delivery of all project components.

In addition, the Annual Giving Manager will be responsible for developing and implementing social media fundraising strategies. While this role is not responsible for the creation of digital assets, the manager will oversee the social media strategy related to donors and prospective donors, ensuring that Fuller Seminary’s digital content aligns with the overall fundraising goals. The manager will also coordinate with various teams to ensure that all deliverables are met and that the digital fundraising efforts are effectively integrated into the broader campaigns.

This role is a member of the Alumni & Donor Engagement team at The Fuller Foundation.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Annual Giving Campaign Management

• Plan, lead, and execute all aspects of annual giving campaigns/appeals to support the seminary’s annual fund to include but not limited to Giving Day, Fiscal Year-End, Giving Tuesday, Calendar Year-End campaigns.
• Develop and manage multi-channel strategies (direct mail, email, peer-to-peer, and digital platforms) to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with institutional priorities.

Donor Engagement and Stewardship

• Identify, solicit, and steward donors and prospective donors contributing $1 to $9,999.
• Manage recurring donor programs and implement strategies to increase retention, loyalty, and donor acquisition.
• Partner with the Senior Director and Stewardship Manager to develop and implement donor acknowledgment and stewardship plans for all annual fund donors.

Fund Development Campaigns

• Lead additional targeted appeals such as scholarship drives, special projects, and other mission-critical initiatives to enhance philanthropic support.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify opportunities to expand funding streams and donor engagement.

Data Analytics and Reporting

• Manage donor and campaign data, ensuring accuracy and quality for reporting, segmentation, and strategy development.
• Track and analyze year-over-year statistics, recurring donor metrics, and campaign performance to inform strategies.
• Provide detailed reports and insights to the Senior Director and leadership team on annual giving trends and outcomes.

Team Collaboration

• Work closely with various teams and personnel at The Fuller Foundation and across Fuller Seminary, including but not limited to Alumni Relations, Frontline Fundraisers, Communications, Stewardship, etc. to identify, solicit, and steward alumni and annual giving donors, ensuring strategic alignment between engagement and giving goals.
• Support alumni-focused programs and events to encourage philanthropic participation.

Innovation and Best Practices

• Stay informed on trends and best practices in annual giving, donor engagement, and digital fundraising.
• Make data-driven recommendations for process improvements and new strategies to enhance donor participation and campaign success.

QUALIFICATIONS

The Annual Giving Manager will be a professional with demonstrated experience and will bring the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required; advanced degree or professional certification in fundraising or related field preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in annual giving, fundraising, or development, preferably in an academic, theological, or nonprofit setting.
• Demonstrated success managing multi-channel appeals, donor stewardship programs, and data analytics.
• Proven project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Analytical mindset with expertise in tracking and interpreting fundraising data.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling donor-focused messaging.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage donors, alumni, and internal stakeholders.
• Collaborative mindset with a demonstrated ability to work across teams.
• Proactive and innovative approach to problem-solving and implementing best practices.
• Flexibility and adaptability in managing competing priorities.
• Strong proficiency in CRM platforms, email marketing tools, and online fundraising technologies.
• Ability to occasionally work evenings and weekends to support events, campaigns, and giving days. Preference will be given to local candidates, but remote options are available. Attendance at in-person meetings and seminary events is expected, as needed.

COMPENSATION AND REQUIREMENTS

• This is a full-time, exempt position.
• Annual compensation will be competitive. A comprehensive benefits package will be provided.
• Background check required.
• An organizational wide performance review process is required for all employees and a required task of all supervisors along with regular 1:1 meetings with their direct reports.

COMMITMENT TO FOUNDATION’S VALUES

Expectations

• Share a commitment to our mission and purpose.
• Make quality service a top priority.
• Must contribute to an organizational culture based on collaboration, commitment to excellence, and curiosity.
• Be a team-player who also works independently.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Please submit a resume and one-page cover letter to: jobs@thefullerfoundation.org