This job was posted by https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov : For more information, please see: https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/jobs/11980652 Assistant Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations- Hybrid

College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES)

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

WE TRANSFORM LIVES.

Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding.

Be a part of our story. Within the College of ACES, you will join a team of 190 tenure-system faculty members; nearly 1,400 academic professionals, civil service staff, and assistants; 2,800 undergraduates; and 750 graduate students. The Assistant Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations position is housed within the Office of Advancement, which includes frontline fundraising, advancement communications, corporate and alumni engagement, and stewardship and donor relations.

You will be part of a remarkable community of faculty, staff and students within the College of ACES who are striving to meet the critical challenges of our time. We\'re proud to report our four-year graduation rate (74%) is the highest in the nation among comparable programs, according to US News & World Report, and is more than double the national average for public universities (33%, according to the U.S. Department of Education).

We have nearly 40,000 living alumni and raise approximately \$20 million annually in private support from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Our annual expenditures from all sources are more than \$160 million. ACES plays a key role in national and international research initiatives in bioenergy, biotechnology, integrated landscapes, environmental sustainability, food and agricultural systems, global climate change, family resiliency, public policy, and much more.

In 2024, the ACES Advancement team will launch an exciting \$100 million capital priority fundraising campaign to prepare the college to continue its mission for the next 100 years.

Organizational Relationship

This position, as an integral part of the College of ACES Advancement Team, reports to the Director of Advancement Operations. This position provides leadership, administration, and strategic direction for Stewardship and Donor Relations, including developing methods to measure the effectiveness of Stewardship and Donor Relations strategies and activities. Major areas of responsibility will include oversight of governing documents and fund creation processes, fund management, and other major gift Stewardship and Donor Relations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Donor Relations and Engagement

Oversee strategy to ensure donors have access to experiences and communications that enhance affinity toward ACES and cultivates philanthropy

In collaboration with Advancement Operations: develop recognition initiatives; maintain high-level engagement, cultivation, and stewardship events; and contribute to stewardship publications illustrating gift impact to donors.

Collaborate with Stewardship professionals at the University level and across campus to determine the best strategies for effective stewardship of donors

Serve as the main contact for stewardship processes with UIF and OVCIA (i.e., pledge audit, endowment recipient updates)

Maintain portfolio of donor relations resources for use by college and departmental staff

Donor Qualification and Cultivation

Participate in College of ACES and Office of Advancement strategy meetings, and assist colleagues and provide support for all ongoing programs and operations as needed to help meet the Co lege\'s annual fundraising goals

Assist gift officers by confirming annual gift renewals with scholarship donors.

Major Gift Stewardship

Ensure that major gift donors have comprehensive stewardship plans by developing and maintaining high-level Stewardship Guidelines for Donors at the major gift level, with emphasis on donors with endowed funds

Create and monitor Stewardship Plans in TED to ensure that the steps are appropriately completed and revised as needed, and provide assistance in implementing changes or modifying plans when challenges arise

Collaborate with the Assistant Dean for Advancement and the College\'s Director of Advancement Operations to design, create, and facilitate donor materials, report templates, and donor plans

Identify ways to involve others, (i.e. Deans, Faculty, Students, Alumni, Volunteers, etc.) in Stewardship efforts

Ensure that major gift prospects and donors receive, at minimum, an annual report regarding the use and impact of the funds they have contributed to, including interactions with the students or faculty benefiting from their philanthropy, when appropriate

Collaborate with ACES Units to ensure that the awarding of scholarships, fellowships, named faculty positions, and usage of private funds me