Director of Annual Giving – Foundation Relations

American Jewish University

Director of Annual Giving enhancing AJU's philanthropic support through donor strategies and engagement initiatives. Overseeing annual fundraising initiatives and managing donor relationships.

Posted 8/1/2026full-timeSherman Oaks • California • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $100,000 - $120,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in developing and implementing comprehensive annual giving strategies, managing donor engagement initiatives, and executing integrated fundraising campaigns across multiple channels. Proficient in grant writing, donor data analysis, and utilizing CRM systems to enhance donor relationships and fundraising outcomes.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Annual Giving Strategy DevelopmentGrant Writing ExperienceDonor Engagement InitiativesFundraising Data AnalysisCRM System Proficiency

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Fundraising Campaign ManagementDonor Segmentation StrategiesProposal WritingStewardship CommunicationData AnalysisDigital Fundraising PlatformsEmail Marketing SystemsProject ManagementPortfolio ManagementGrant Reporting

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsHigh-Level Organizational SkillsInterpersonal SkillsResourcefulnessCollaboration

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft Office SuiteDonor Database SystemsCRM SystemsDigital Fundraising Platforms

Industry Keywords

Nonprofit DevelopmentPhilanthropic Best PracticesJewish Nonprofit SectorDonor Retention StrategiesFoundation Funding

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and implement a comprehensive annual giving strategy
Plan and execute integrated fundraising campaigns across multiple channels, including Direct mail, Email, Digital and Social Media
Create annual fundraising calendars and appeal timelines
Collaborate with internal Communications team to develop compelling donor messaging and fundraising content
Analyze campaign performance and recommend strategies to improve donor acquisition, response rates, average gift size, and return on investment
Build out new donor welcome strategies to foster ongoing support
Design strategies to recover and re-engage lapsed donors, and increase donor retention
Increase participation and revenue from recurring/monthly donors
Create donor segmentation strategies based on giving history, interests, and engagement
Develop meaningful stewardship communications throughout the donor lifecycle
Ensure donors receive timely, personalized, and impactful acknowledgments and recognition
Analyze donor data to identify trends and opportunities for increased engagement
Recommend strategies to strengthen donor pipeline development and long-term fundraising growth
Develop individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies for a portfolio of approximately 50–75 mid-level donors and prospects
Conduct donor discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities
Prepare donor briefings, proposals, solicitation materials, and follow-up correspondence
Maintain accurate records of donor interactions and next steps within the CRM
Write compelling grant proposals, letters of inquiry, supporting materials and grant reports
Research and identify prospective foundation funding opportunities aligned with institutional priorities
Lead grant submissions process and ensure timely completion of application requirements
Prepare accurate and compelling grant reports demonstrating measurable outcomes and impact
Develop and maintain relationships with foundation program officers
Maintain grant calendars and reporting schedules
Collaborate with faculty and program leaders to collect information needed for proposals and reports
Track proposal outcomes and foundation stewardship activities

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
5-7 years of progressive fundraising or nonprofit development experience
Demonstrated success managing annual giving programs and donor engagement initiatives
Proven experience managing a portfolio of individual donors
Strong grant writing experience with a track record of securing foundation funding
Knowledgeable on fundraising trends, philanthropic best practices, and emerging donor engagement strategies
High-level organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail
Background working with digital fundraising platforms and email marketing systems
Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
Exceptional project management and organizational abilities
Strong analytical skills and experience using fundraising data to inform strategy
Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with donors, volunteers, community leaders, and colleagues
Resourceful, collaborative, and solutions-oriented
Flexibility to support evolving organizational priorities
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
Expertise in working with donor database/CRM systems
Knowledge of and experience working within the Jewish community, Jewish nonprofit sector, or Jewish philanthropic landscape strongly preferred.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health insurance
Retirement plan participation
Paid time off
Other employee benefits