Title: Grants, Alumni and Annual Fund Director

VP Area: Advancement & Alumni Relations

Department:

Published Salary Range:

Job Summary/Basic Function:

FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY

As part of the Advancement team and reporting to the Vice President of Advancement, the Grants, Alumni, and Annual Fund Director is responsible for cultivating relationships with alumni, securing grants, and managing the university’s annual fund campaigns. This role is critical to advancing the mission of Lake Superior State University by identifying funding opportunities, fostering alumni engagement, and leading philanthropic efforts that support scholarships, academic programs, and other university initiatives. The Director will work closely with various departments, external donors, and alumni to maximize contributions and maintain long-term relationships.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Grants Management:
 Research, identify, and pursue grant opportunities from state and private sources that align with the strategic goals of the university.
 Write and submit high-quality grant proposals and manage the grant application process.
 Oversee the reporting and compliance requirements for awarded grants, ensuring proper use of funds and timely submission of necessary documentation.

Alumni Engagement:
 Develop and implement a comprehensive alumni engagement strategy to foster strong, long-lasting relationships with graduates.
 Organize alumni events, reunions, and networking opportunities both locally and nationally to increase alumni involvement.
 Maintain and update the alumni database, track engagement metrics, and analyze alumni trends for targeted outreach.

Annual Fund Leadership:
 Plan and execute the university's annual fund campaign, including direct mail, email, and digital fundraising efforts.
 Set goals, track progress, and analyze the effectiveness of annual fund initiatives.
 Develop strategies to grow donor participation, particularly from alumni, parents, and community supporters.
 Annual Fund coordination/Phonathon – Lead in hiring, training, supervising and evaluating of the student telemarketing team.

Collaboration & Outreach:
 Collaborate with university departments to identify funding needs and priorities, and work with faculty and staff to develop proposals.
 Serve as a liaison between the university and donors, foundations, and grant-making organizations.
 Represent the university at external meetings, conferences, and events to promote funding opportunities and alumni relations.
 Develop Student Alumni/University Ambassadors group.

 Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Communications, Nonprofit Management, or a related field (Master’s preferred).

Minimum of 5 years of experience in grant writing, fundraising, alumni relations, or a similar field. Proven track record of successfully securing grants and leading annual fund campaigns.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present ideas clearly and persuasively.

Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Proficiency in donor and alumni database management software (e.g., Banner Advancement) and Microsoft Office Suite.

Ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including alumni, donors, faculty, and external organizations.

Passion for higher education and the mission of Lake Superior State University.

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge of higher education advancement and fundraising practices.

Experience working with alumni networks and understanding of engagement strategies.

Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to work in a collaborative team environment.

Physical Demands:

Adequate physical fitness to be able to sit and concentrate for long periods of time; use of gross motor skills to perform supervisory and organizational duties; use of fine motor skills to operate computer; social intelligence; problem solving ability; ability to understand and work with numbers; ability to see, hear, and speak with or without the use of aids to perform normal office tasks.

Work Hours: 

Monday-Friday, some evenings/weekends

Special Instructions to Applicants: