Annual Giving Officer

ARROWMONT SCHOOL OF ARTS AND CRAFTS•Gatlinburg, TN

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Annual Giving Officer is a critical role to ensuring that Arrowmont meets its annual fundraising goals, responsible for securing and strengthening individual and corporate giving. The position reports to the Director of Advancement (DOA) and plays an active role in the identification, cultivation, acquisition, and recognition of donors; helping build a sustainable annual fund pipeline and increase donor retention year-over-year.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
Minimum of 2 years of experience in a relevant setting with practical knowledge of annual giving operations and understanding of what it takes to expand donor participation.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Strong computer skills and knowledge of donor management software, preferably Raiser’s Edge.
Ability to clearly articulate Arrowmont’s mission; strong initiative, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
Able to multi-task, meet deadlines, and work collaboratively.
Ability to travel on behalf of Arrowmont and attend events and programs, as required.

Responsibilities

Campaign Strategy & Execution: Collaborate with Director of Advancement to design and manage annual giving plan, including annual appeals and seasonal pushes. Responsible for co-creating creative and effective written communications, presenting a compelling case for support that results in increased annual giving support.
Active Solicitation & Donor Management: Manage a portfolio of 50-100 mid-level donors, executing personalized solicitation strategies through 1:1 meetings, phone calls, and written proposals to secure gifts and upgrade giving.
Stewardship: Work closely with the Director of Advancement to develop creative ways to thank donors, ensuring they receive timely and meaningful acknowledgements that demonstrate impact.
Acquisition & Prospect Research: Proactively identify and qualify new donor prospects through research and wealth screening tools; develop and test innovative acquisition strategies—such as lead generation, community partnerships, and "friend-raising" events—to convert non-donors and volunteers into first-time contributors; staying vigilant on soliciting new prospects, new concepts, and new markets.
Prospect Identification: Utilize research tools and database analytics to identify constituents within the current database who have the capacity and inclination for increased support.
Growth Strategies: Collaborate with team to develop multi-channel acquisition campaigns (social media, peer-to-peer, and direct mail) targeted at bringing in new donor segments and expanding organizational reach.
Performance Tracking: Monitoring and analyzing portfolio performance, generating reports, and identifying areas for improvement.
Donor Management Software: Uses Raiser’s Edge to the fullest potential for reporting donor visits and stewardship touchpoints; working closely with the Development Administrator.
Team Collaboration: Working with fundraising staff, volunteers, and external vendors, when applicable, to achieve fundraising goals.