Director of Annual Giving

Seton Catholic Schools is the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s model for K-8 parish schools in Greater Milwaukee. The Seton Family of Catholic Schools serves 3,600 students at our 15 schools, and we plan to grow to over 20 schools serving more than 5,000 students.   The Seton model is built on our Catholic identity and delivers effective governance, best in class urban teaching methods, teacher and leader talent development, centralized business operations and active engagement with families in our neighborhoods.  In our tenth academic year, Seton’s demonstrated performance is truly transforming Catholic education in Milwaukee with national interest in our unique and highly capable network model for urban parish schools.  Our growth over the next five years will include the addition of new parish schools, enhancement of our Catholic culture, expansion of our academic offerings, recruitment and retention of top talent, and the revitalization of our school facilities.

Job Summary

The Director of Annual Giving develops and implements comprehensive fundraising strategies to cultivate relationships with and solicit donations from constituents including friends of Seton, alumni, parents, foundations, corporations and others who value Catholic education. Key responsibilities include creating a constituent database and tools to manage engagement with prospects and donors and developing and executing fundraising campaigns across multiple channels (direct mail, digital, and events).  Being able to tell the Seton Story and use analytics to optimize engagement and drive achievement of goals are key to success.  Leading Seton’s engagement in the new Federal Tax Credit for Scholarships program will be a primary role for this position which will include close collaboration with a Scholarship Granting Organization.  This role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and communication skills to drive donor acquisition, retention, and overall financial support for Seton.  

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: 

• Strategic planning: Develop and execute a comprehensive annual giving program with clear goals for donor acquisition, retention, and revenue, including the integration of the new Federal Tax Credit for Scholarships program.
• Campaign management: Create and manage a calendar of multidimensional appeals that use a variety of media, such as direct mail, and digital fundraising, along with signature Seton events.
• Staff and volunteer management: Lead, manage, and develop a cross-functional team supporting annual giving, including setting goals and providing guidance. Recruit, train, and manage volunteers for specific fundraising activities.
• Donor relations: Build relationships with constituents and personally solicit an assigned pool of prospects, including identifying donors with the potential to give at higher levels.
• Data and analytics: Use donor data to segment populations, personalize fundraising approaches, and track campaign performance. Analyze results to inform future strategies and provide reports to leadership.
• Budget management: Develop and manage the budget for the annual giving program, ensuring financial goals are met.
• Collaboration: Work with other departments, such as marketing and communications, to ensure a unified approach to fundraising and donor engagement.

Qualifications:

• Proven track record of success in fundraising, with experience in annual giving strategies. 
• Strong leadership and team management abilities. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to articulate the organization's mission and needs. 
• Proficiency with donor management systems (like Raiser's Edge or Salesforce) and other relevant technology.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including leadership, staff, and volunteers. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver assignments on time.
• Ability to handle conflict and work towards successful resolution.
• Bachelor's degree and several years of experience in fundraising desired.