Description

ABOUT BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY 
Founded in 1950 and located in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky, Bellarmine University is a vibrant, independent Catholic institution known for academic excellence, inclusive values, and a strong sense of community.   Bellarmine has a total undergraduate enrollment of about 2,400 and offers a broad range of academic programs across multiple levels.  With increasing enrollment, DivisionI athletics across all sports, and a growing national reputation, Bellarmine offers a dynamic environment where innovation and tradition meet. The university’s commitment to educating the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — reflects our mission to inspire students to lead lives of purpose and impact balancing intellectual growth with moral and personal development.  With increasing enrollment and a growing national reputation, Bellarmine continues to expand its academic programs and influence, positioning itself as a leader among regional universities. 

THE OPPORTUNITY 
Bellarmine University is entering an exciting new chapter.  The university is experiencing growth in enrollment, expanding academic programs, and an increase in University engagement through competition in Division 1 athletics across all sports.  With the president retiring in May, 202, this moment presents a unique opportunity for fresh leadership and vision. 
The Director of the Bellarmine Fund and President’s Society will join a collaborative, mission driven advancement team known for its positive culture, shared purpose and goal driven metrics. This role offers the chance to shape the future of annual giving, strengthen donor relationships, and contribute directly to Bellarmine’s continued momentum. 

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Development & Alumni Relations, the Director provides strategic leadership for Bellarmine’s annual giving program and annual giving society (The President’s Society), focusing on increasing philanthropic support, broadening donor participation, and strengthening the pipeline for major and planned gifts.  With the direct support of the Associate Director of the Annual Fund and a collaborative development and alumni relations team of approximately 20, the Director oversees the design, execution, and evaluation of a comprehensive, multichannel annual giving strategy that engages alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of the university.  With an established annual plan, the Director will have the opportunity to evaluate the plan in action and suggest innovative and creative new strategies for annual giving.   

Bellarmine secures approximately $15M annually from its donor base, with the expectation that the annual giving team raises $1.75 - $2.0M in unrestricted funds.  The Director holds a portfolio of about 150 donors and is responsible for continuing to increase the number of President Society members.    

POSITION RESPONSIBILITES 
Strategic Leadership and Planning 

• Oversee the execution of an established comprehensive annual giving strategy across direct mail, digital, and participation-based campaigns 
• Regularly analyze plan metrics to evaluate effectiveness and identify opportunities for innovative annual giving initiatives that strengthen donor engagement and long-term support. 
• Align annual giving initiatives with institutional priorities and long-term fundraising goals 
• Oversee budget planning and resource allocation for annual giving programs 
• Stay current with best practices and emerging trends in annual giving and donor engagement 

Donor Cultivation and Stewardship 

• Lead the strategic growth of the President’s Society through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of leadership annual giving donors 
• Conduct regular outreach and meetings with prospective and current donors to secure new President’s Society members and increase philanthropic investment 
• Establish and execute a clear plan for yearoveryear growth in President’s Society membership and giving levels 
• Provide strategic oversight and execution of President’s Society recognition, stewardship, and engagement opportunities in partnership with donor relations 
• Ensure consistent, high-quality donor stewardship practices that enhance satisfaction and longterm engagement in partnership with donor relations 
• Collaborate with Development Officers and Development Operations to create a seamless donor pipeline and integrated messaging strategy 

Program Management and Campaign Execution 

• Manage and grow the Bellarmine Fund to increase donor participation, retention, and overall revenue 
  Develop compelling solicitation and stewardship materials that communicate the impact of giving 
• Collaborate with Development Officers and Development Operations to create a seamless donor pipeline and integrated messaging strategy 
• Support volunteer engagement through the Bellarmine Advancement Board as part of the larger Bellarmine President’s Council 

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Analyze giving data and campaign performance to inform strategy and optimize results and identify new opportunities for growth 
• Partner with Development Operations to ensure accurate donor tracking, segmentation, and reporting 

Team Leadership and Collaboration 

• Supervise, mentor, and manage the Associate Director of the Bellarmine Fund 
• Set clear goals and expectations, support professional development, and foster a collaborative, results oriented environment 
• Oversee workflow, project prioritization, and execution of annual giving initiatives 
• Collaborate across advancement functions, including major gifts, alumni engagement, and communications 
• Community and Institutional Engagement 
• Represent Bellarmine University at donor meetings, campus events, and community gatherings 
• Travel and occasional evening or weekend work required for donor meetings and events 

Requirements

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree required 
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in fundraising, specifically annual giving, within higher education or a nonprofit organization 
• Experience developing and executing multi-channel fundraising campaigns (direct mail, digital, and participation-based initiatives) 
• Demonstrated success in securing annual and leadership-level gifts, including direct donor solicitation and relationship management 
• Proven ability to manage and analyze data to inform strategy, measure outcomes, and drive results 
• Experience supervising staff and managing projects with multiple stakeholders 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey impact and inspire philanthropic support 
• Experience personally managing a portfolio of donors and conducting face-to-face solicitations 
• Familiarity with donor databases/CRMs (e.g., Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar systems) and fundraising analytics tools 
• Experience collaborating across advancement functions, including major gifts, alumni engagement, and communications 
• Understanding of donor pipeline development and moves management strategies 
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while also executing tactically in a fast-paced environment 
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, goal-oriented, mission driven environment