Assistant Director of Annual Giving

Company Description

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving position will combine your passion for the work of Libraries with the challenge and excitement of annual giving fundraising and growing a strong and loyal base of donors for the Boston Public Library Fund. The Boston Public Library Fund is a team of eight dynamic staff at present that raise funds to enhance and grow the invaluable programs and services offered by one of the most well-known and important organizations in the City of Boston and the Commonwealth. We seek a creative, high-energy, self-driven, enthusiastic, and passionate individual to join our team.

As the Assistant Director of Annual Giving, you will play a pivotal role in crafting and executing innovative “one to many” fundraising strategies aimed at reaching as many donors as possible, building relationships with our supporters, and ensuring that the Library continues to serve the needs of the community - Free to All.

As an integral part of our team, reporting to the Director of Individual Giving, you will work with experienced and talented professionals who will provide guidance and mentorship. You will design initiatives that share the stories of the Library and inspire donors to embrace our vision and mission. You will develop a fresh and innovative fundraising plan to grow annual fund participation while increasing revenue to the Fund using an omnichannel marketing strategy that includes direct mail, email, video, digital, paid/boosted social media, lead generation marketing, and crowdfunding, as well as phone and virtual outreach. 

If you are self-motivated, goal-oriented, and creative, with curiosity and a desire to maximize and leverage the use of digital marketing to increase awareness, engagement, and grow fundraising results while maintaining a donor-centric mindset this position may be the right next step for you.

This position is located in Boston, MA at the Central Library in Copley Square and follows a hybrid work model. Candidates are not required to be Boston residents. The Boston Public Library Fund is committed to offering competitive benefits that support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees and their families. By investing in our people, we strengthen our capacity to fulfill our mission and serve the community with excellence.

The Opportunity

The Assistant Director of Annual Giving position will combine your passion for the work of Libraries with the challenge and excitement of annual giving fundraising and growing a strong and loyal base of donors for the Boston Public Library Fund. The Boston Public Library Fund is a team of eight dynamic staff at present that raise funds to enhance and grow the invaluable programs and services offered by one of the most well-known and important organizations in the City of Boston and the Commonwealth. We seek a creative, high-energy, self-driven, enthusiastic, and passionate individual to join our team.

As the Assistant Director of Annual Giving, you will play a pivotal role in crafting and executing innovative “one to many” fundraising strategies aimed at reaching as many donors as possible, building relationships with our supporters, and ensuring that the Library continues to serve the needs of the community - Free to All.

As an integral part of our team, reporting to the Director of Individual Giving, you will work with experienced and talented professionals who will provide guidance and mentorship. You will design initiatives that share the stories of the Library and inspire donors to embrace our vision and mission. You will develop a fresh and innovative fundraising plan to grow annual fund participation while increasing revenue to the Fund using an omnichannel marketing strategy that includes direct mail, email, video, digital, paid/boosted social media, lead generation marketing, and crowdfunding, as well as phone and virtual outreach. 

If you are self-motivated, goal-oriented, and creative, with curiosity and a desire to maximize and leverage the use of digital marketing to increase awareness, engagement, and grow fundraising results while maintaining a donor-centric mindset this position may be the right next step for you.

This position is located in Boston, MA at the Central Library in Copley Square and follows a hybrid work model. Candidates are not required to be Boston residents. The Boston Public Library Fund is committed to offering competitive benefits that support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees and their families. By investing in our people, we strengthen our capacity to fulfill our mission and serve the community with excellence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Create and execute an annual direct marketing fundraising plan to raise unrestricted revenue from approx. 3,500 donors with expectations for growth in future years. 
• Use omnichannel marketing, including direct mail, email, social media, and telephone, to acquire new donors and reactivate or renew previous donors.
• Develop data-driven strategy, grounded in fundraising best practices.
• Set goals, determine schedules, and establish budget.
• In coordination with supervisor, develop and execute communication strategy for all appeals and acknowledgements.
• Develop campaigns, write, and produce content, work with designers, mail houses, photographers, and videographers as needed.
• Provide support for the Patrons of the Courtyard program, the Fund’s leadership annual giving society, by helping to staff stewardship and cultivation events, as well as assist in carrying out stewardship mailings.
• Design and implement Giving Days and Crowdfunding efforts. 
• Work with direct mail vendors on acquisition and appropriate follow up. 
• Engage directly with donors via phone, zoom, and participation in cultivation events.
• Use Raiser’s Edge and Target Analytics to develop segmentation, track activity, document engagement, and monitor results. 
• Uses statistics to evaluate Annual Fund plan and make recommendations for program changes.
• Provides regular reporting and analysis of annual giving results.
• Additional related responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge Required

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 3-5 years of fundraising experience in a complex annual fund environment. 
• Experience with giving days, digital market testing, web analytics, stewardship, and social media. 
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with ability to build and manipulate spreadsheets. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• Familiarity with constructing online giving forms as well as print and webpage design. 
• Understanding and demonstrated use of data analytics in a fundraising application. 
• Knowledge of general best practices in fundraising.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to plan for short- and long-term projects involving multiple stakeholders including external vendors.
• Ability to be self-driven and conceptualize the creative approach as well as the mechanics of executing a project from start to finish.
• Great interpersonal skills and a cooperative professional demeanor. 
• Exceptional writing skills with attention to detail. 
• Creative talent for storytelling and developing a case for support. 
• Ability to problem-solve quickly, meet established deadlines, and work independently on simultaneous projects. 
• Familiarity with fundraising databases (Raiser’s Edge). 
• An appreciation of the valuable role that libraries play in our society.

The Boston Public Library Fund is committed to building an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees. Residency in the city of Boston is not required.

APPLICATION INFORMATION: To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to info@bplfund.org before November 15.