Manager of Annual Fund

Manager of Annual Fund is responsible for overseeing the university's annual giving efforts. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive annual giving program that supports Adams State University's fundraising goals. The Manager plays a critical role in cultivating and soliciting annual gifts from alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends, with an emphasis on increasing participation, revenue, and donor retention. This position works closely within the Office of Advancement and University-wide units including academic departments, athletics, marketing and communications to engage internal and external audiences for annual support appeals. Specific Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Program Oversight

• Plan, develop and implement a strategic plan of action with objectives, timelines and evaluation plans for the annual giving program, including identification, cultivation and solicitation of annual gifts from alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff.
• Establish benchmarks and monitor progress for the annual giving program; produce regular, comparative annual giving status reports and evaluate responses according to different criteria (segmentation, class year, participation rate, etc.).
• Utilize best practices and innovative approaches to inspire ongoing donor engagement and maximize annual revenue.

 

Fundraising Campaigns and Donor Engagement

• Design and conduct mass solicitation programs via direct mail, email, social media and online giving. Ensure gifts of this nature are renewed; implement monthly giving and mid-level donor programs.
• Conduct the annual student Phonathon, including collecting donations, database updates, solicitation scripts, weekly results reports, and following up on donor questions/issues raised during the calling process.
• Coordinate the execution of annual giving day events (Adams State Giving Week, Giving Tuesday, Colorado Gives Day), providing strategic oversight of goal setting, planning and implementation processes.

 

Collaboration and Coordination

• Collaborate closely with the Vice President of Advancement, Foundation Executive Director, and Athletic Director on annual giving initiatives.
• Work with University-wide units including academic departments, athletics, and marketing and communications to coordinate annual giving efforts.
• Collaborate with the Foundation Manager of Operations to maintain a comprehensive donor database to track giving history, preferences, and engagement activities.

 

Data Analysis and Reporting

• ?Utilize donor data and analytics to assess program performance, identify trends, optimize fundraising efforts and build strategies for moving donors to higher giving levels
• Prepare regular reports for senior leadership, board members, and other stakeholders on program performance and outcomes.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, or related field.

• Minimum of 3+ years of relevant experience in fundraising, marketing or related field.

• Ability to travel occasionally and attend evening and weekend activities.

• Ability to treat others with respect, civility, and courtesy and to work honestly, effectively, and collegiality with employees, students, and the community.

• Demonstrated ability to be donor-centric and effective in working with diverse groups.

• Must be a detail-oriented, self-starter with ability to work independently and manage multiple projects and priorities to meet deadlines.

Preferred:

• Experience in a higher education or non-profit setting; direct experience with fundraising.

• Knowledge of Adams State University and the San Luis Valley is highly desired.

• Experience with annual giving solicitations, including direct mail, telemarketing and digital media.

• Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed fundraising goals.

 

Salary and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $51,132-$58,164.  In addition to salary, Adams State University offers a competitive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. For detailed benefits information please visit our Human Resources Benefits Page. 

How to Apply: 

All interested candidates must submit application materials electronically through Adams State University’s Workday application portal.

No other format of application material will be accepted.

Completed applications include the following:

• Cover letter

• Resume

• Unofficial transcripts (official transcripts will be necessary at the time of appointment)

• Three professional references, including phone number and email for each

For full consideration, applications should be received by 12/12/2025. Review of completed applications will begin immediately after this date and the position will remain open until filled. Applications received after the priority deadline may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee.

Questions about the position may be directed to Jake Rissler jrissler@adams.edu

Adams State University is committed to building and expanding the talent of its professional staff and actively seeks qualified applicants who bring unique perspectives, experiences, skills, and attributes that can augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff and can contribute to serving and preparing our students to engage and thrive in their learning, leadership, and service.

We strive to create a more representative workforce that mirrors the people who study, work, and lead our institution and welcome applications from candidates from all walks of life, especially members of communities who fall within state and federally protected classes such as: women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities.

We value qualified candidates, with varied language skills, who have a record of successful experience with varied communities and student populations, and who have a deep understanding of and commitment to the unique geographical and historical characteristics of the place we are situated in and the intersecting perspectives that define our university being a low-income, first-generation, and Hispanic-serving, rural anchor university. Therefore, we seek individuals committed to intentionally supporting students and colleagues who possess these characteristics through their teaching, service, and scholarship.

The successful candidate will join a campus that is dedicated to inclusive excellence and acknowledges Adams State’s purpose to foster the educational goals of its students and the well-being of the surrounding community.

Additional information about the university and the academic mission may be found at www.adams.edu/academics /
 

Disclosures:

In compliance with the Immigration Control Act of 1968 candidates for positions must provide proof of eligibility to work before an offer of employment can be made final.

Adams State University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors, and to protecting its funds, property and other assets. Well-informed hiring decisions contribute to this effort. Therefore, Adams State University has adopted a policy on background screening for its prospective, continuing, and returning employees as well as students in certain circumstances. Offers of employment will be contingent upon the completion of an acceptable background check. The information received in response to a background check will be treated as confidential to the extent provided for by law.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Adams State University (ASU) may be directed to ASU's Office of Equal Opportunity, Director Ana Guevara, and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education. Support resources for sexual misconduct, ASU's  sexual misconduct policies, contact information for the Adams State University's Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX, as well as a detailed  procedure for filing a grievance due to discrimination on the basis of sex may be found online at  https://www.adams.edu/administration/oeo/reporting-sexual-harassment/ .  These  procedures also describe the University's response to reports and/or complaints of sex discrimination or sexual harassment.  

Adams State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Applications are sought from all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, disability, and, as covered by law, veteran status. In addition, University policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation including transgender status and gender expression, marital status, and parental status.