Development Associate, Athletics

Major/Essential Functions

• Assist with donor engagement and cultivation as a member of the external fundraising team.
• Build and maintain relationships with major donors through calls, regular communication, personal visits, and meaningful engagement opportunities.
• Manage a portfolio of 75 qualified major gift prospects.
  • Identify additional prospects for potential major gift capacity and interest.
• Manage a portfolio of 75 qualified annual prospects.
• Discovery work to qualify, cultivate, and solicit individuals capable of making leadership annual giving gifts.
• High volume of daily touchpoints (email, phone calls, and visits) to help identify and engage leadership-level donors.
• Develop and implement retention strategies to upgrade donors.
• Participate in the execution of events and programs in support of fundraising activities.
• Other responsibilities include assisting with event hospitality, providing customer service (tickets and parking) to donors in portfolios when needed, and donor facility tours.
• Work closely with the Assistant Athletics Director on individual booster activity.
• Comply with all NCAA, Big 12, and Texas Tech University rules, regulations, and policies.

• The following metrics are set annually for these positions, and progress to date is reviewed quarterly.
• Renew: Secure annual gifts from previous-year donors through stewardship and cultivation.
• Increase annual giving amounts from current donors.
• Guide donors from annual giving levels to major giving levels.
• 500 touchpoints – the summation of notes and contact reports submitted to the donor database
• 50 visits – face-to-face conversations.
• 5 Major Gift Donors Identified – identification of a major gift donor by either making a major gift or transferring a prospect to a major gift development professional.

• A basic understanding of fundraising.
• 1 year of previous fundraising experience involving managing a major gift portfolio or equivalent professional experience in sales.
• Previous experience working in intercollegiate or professional athletics.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, writing, and presentation skills.
• The ability to take initiative, excellent time management, and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently and participate in occasional evening and weekend activities.
• Must be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.