The Giving & Alumni Relations Specialist works in the Office of Advancement and Sponsored Programs to support APU‘s goals and mission. This is done by informing alumni and other constituents about APU and involving them in the life of the University through effective communications, quality programs, and services. Advancement strives to gain their support and encourage them to join in shaping APU‘s future through fundraising campaigns, enhancing education and scholarship, enriching the student experience, fostering discovery and creativity, sustaining a tradition of quality, and building faculty strength and capacity. The Office of Advancement works to generate among key constituencies the attitudinal, financial, and behavioral support needed to realize the University‘s goals and objectives.
The Giving & Alumni Relations Specialist will strategically assist the Office of Advancement in their efforts to encourage and increase participation and annual support of funds for APU. This position will facilitate, manage and promote alumni relations and development programs to benefit APU. This position will establish, implement, and evaluate plans to solicit philanthropic support from alumni, friends, parents, local corporations and regional foundations, and others who may have the potential to make annual gifts. This person will work with several offices on campus, including Sponsored Programs, Financial Aid, Registrar, Accounting, and others.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
Collaboration & Team Engagement
- As part of an advancement team, work collaboratively to achieve the goals, objectives, and metrics for the Corporate/Foundation Gifts and Grants program.
- Work with the advancement team and other departments in the positive promotion of APU and communication of the value of donor contributions to the organization.
- Meet regularly with Advancement team and serve on other APU committees to support the overall mission of APU.
Alumni Engagement
- Foster alumni relations to the institution through educational, social, and special events.
- Conduct a high volume of contacts and face-to-face meetings each year, primarily with alumni living in Alaska, and create invite lists for out of state travel by APU senior staff for alumni visits.
- Maintain a database of alumni and their level of engagement; reach out to inactive alumni for engagement and maintain interactions with active alumni.Work to develop and Alumni Association Board and to develop alumni chapters, alumni mentorship programs, and annual events.
- Produce an online alumni newsletter that is distributed 4xs per year electronically.
- Work closely with Office of Advancement database and Registrar Staff and database to ensure that accurate alumni and donor records are maintained.
Scholarship Donor Relations
- Maintain records and communication needed for donor-funded scholarship distribution and reporting, including engagement of donors.
- Work directly with other APU departments regarding scholarship availability and eligibility to enhance opportunities for students.
- Serve on a scholarship committee and ensure scholarship giving is aligned with donor intent, working directly with financial aid and admissions.
Corporate/Foundation Gifts and Grants
- As part of an advancement team, work collaboratively to achieve the goals, objectives, and metrics for the Corporate/Foundation Gifts and Grants program.
- Conduct research to identify corporate and foundation prospects, for both the organization as a whole and for specific programs, projects, and exhibits that align with APU’s strategic direction.
- With the Chief Advancement Officer, build relationships with external corporate and foundation funders through visits, correspondence, and regular communication.
- Lead all aspects of creating and submitting corporate and foundation grant proposals, including writing, preparation of supporting documentation, drafting and collection of required attachments which may, from time to time, include delegating to a consultant
- Track all grant and sponsorship activity in an organized manner, including application and reporting deadlines.
- Articulate the value of supporting scholarship programs and other APU and programmatic fundraising priorities.
Records Management and Reporting
- Serve as co-coordinator for entering, maintaining, and reporting electronic database entries relevant to departmental operations.
- Maintain address, contact information, correspondence, and meeting notes with donors and alumni in electronic databases.
- Provide notes in donor and alumni database profiles for meetings, special occasions, communications, etc., to build accurate and complete donor and alumni profiles.
Special Events
Serve as lead coordinator or primary support for 5-6 events/year aligned with Advancement goals such as:
- Homecoming (Alumni engagement),
- Friends of APU (Donor Engagement & Expansion),
- Blue & Gold (Fundraising for Foundation),
- Scholars & Donors Event (scholarship recognition),
- Special celebration of an APU event that is unique to the year
KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS
- Excellent organizational, time-management, and project management skills.
- Skill in the ability to communicate effectively and develop positive working relationships with a broad range of constituencies.
- Skill in oral and written communication; excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills
- Advanced technology skills with the ability to learn data systems, as well as produce reports and proposals including the use of spreadsheets and basic graphic design.
- Ability to interpret, explain, and apply complex regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Skill in the ability to provide program oversight in a consistent, creative, and accountable manner.
- Ability to interpret, explain, and apply complex regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Interest in working in an interdepartmental work environment with positive collaboration skills and a commitment to the mission of APU.
MINIMUM EDUCATION QUALIFICATION
- Bachelor’s degree and five (3) years of experience in fundraising and corporate gifts.
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION
- Three (3) years of related development and financial experience, such as
- Experience with fundraising toward donor cultivation and stewardship;
- Experience in special event fundraising – planning, implementation, follow-through;
- Experience in proposal and budget preparation and solicitation.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATION
- Five (5) years’ experience in institutional development in an academic setting, or in a non-profit organization.
- APU Alumni and/or experience in an academic setting.
- Experience in or demonstrated understanding of the liberal arts college environment.
- Experience in or demonstrated understanding of the Tribal university environment.
- Experience working with community partners in program development.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to obtain an Alaska driver’s license and maintain a good driving record. Be willing to train on driving APU van and other vehicles.
