Director of Annual Giving and Donor Engagement

The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur seeks a collaborative, strategic, and relationship-driven Director of Annual Giving and Donor Engagement to lead and grow our comprehensive annual giving program. As a key member of the Advancement Team, the Director plays an essential role in inspiring philanthropy that directly supports the Academy's mission of educating young women to become compassionate leaders grounded in faith, scholarship, and service.

This position is ideal for a fundraising professional who enjoys developing innovative strategies, building meaningful donor relationships, analyzing results, and working alongside talented colleagues to achieve ambitious goals. The Director will lead annual giving initiatives while partnering across the Advancement Office to strengthen donor engagement, expand participation, and increase philanthropic support.

Lead Annual Giving Strategy

• Develop and execute a comprehensive annual giving strategy that increases participation, donor retention, and philanthropic support.
• Establish annual goals, performance metrics, and fundraising priorities aligned with institutional objectives.
• Monitor annual fund performance, analyze results, and recommend data-driven improvements.
• Manage the annual giving budget and oversee the Annual Report of Gifts.

Inspire Donor Engagement

• Develop compelling, multi-channel fundraising campaigns including direct mail, email, digital giving, social media, and stewardship communications.

• Manage a portfolio of annual and leadership-level donors while partnering with colleagues on coordinated cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.

• Strengthen donor relationships through meaningful stewardship and recognition initiatives.

Lead Signature Giving Campaigns

• Oversee the Academy's Fall Spirit Week of Giving and Spring Alumnae Day of Giving.
• Develop annual fund strategy, create content, manage execution through the Boost My School online giving platform, coordinate volunteers, and provide comprehensive reporting and analysis.

Collaborate Across Advancement

• Serve as an active member of the Advancement Team, partnering closely with colleagues to support shared fundraising goals and integrated donor strategies.
• Contribute to department planning, annual fund initiatives, donor events, stewardship activities, and other Advancement priorities.
• Foster a positive, collaborative culture built on teamwork, innovation, and shared success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Three or more years of progressively responsible fundraising or annual giving experience.
• Demonstrated success leading annual giving campaigns and managing donor portfolios.
• Outstanding communication, analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
• Experience with Boost My School or similar online giving platforms preferred.
• Experience with Veracross or comparable fundraising CRM systems preferred.
• A collaborative, relationship-oriented professional who enjoys working as part of a high-performing team.

 About the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur

The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur is a premier independent, college-preparatory, Catholic school for girls and young women in grades 6 through 12. Located on 39 acres in Villanova, Pa, Notre Dame has been educating, empowering, and inspiring students to become compassionate leaders since 1856. At Notre Dame, students explore their interests and express their opinions within an atmosphere of encouragement, and they thrive in a rich learning environment where academic excellence flourishes. Notre Dame alumnae share a deep bond as women of integrity, setting the standard for social responsibility as they lead and serve the world with honor and confidence.

Enriched by the hallmarks of its founders, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, the Academy became an independent school in 2006. It retains its Catholic identity and values while celebrating the rich diversity of its student body and staff.

Work Environment & Expectations

This is a full-time, mission-driven position within a collaborative Advancement Office. While the regular workday is generally 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., flexibility is expected to support donor engagement, fundraising events, and key school activities throughout the year. Successful candidates enjoy being active members of the school community and embrace opportunities to build meaningful relationships with students, families, alumnae, volunteers, and donors.

 To Apply: Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to Mrs. Dawn Ford at [email protected]