Annual Giving & Advancement Data Specialist, Extension Development

Working Title: Annual Giving & Advancement Data Specialist

Appointment: Full time, P&A, Annual Giving Officer 3 (job code # 9703AG)

Office location: Coffey Hall, St. Paul Campus

Pay range: $68,000-$83,000; depending on education, qualifications, experience

Extension area: Development Office

Reports to: Extension's Director of Development

Apply by: October 21, 2025

University of Minnesota Extension seeks an Annual Giving & Advancement Data Specialist. This position combines two critical functions: comprehensive annual giving program management (including donor engagement, stewardship, and recognition strategies) and data management with strategic analytics.

The right person for this role will be adept at creating systems and strategies that connect donors with Extension's mission, while expanding the data foundation that drives success in engagement and fundraising.

As part of Extension's advancement team, you will collaborate with Extension educators and leaders to translate donor insights into actionable strategies that maximize philanthropic support. You will play a key role in advancing Minnesota 4-H - the state's largest youth development organization - while building sustainable funding pipelines that extend University expertise to communities throughout Minnesota.

This position reports to the Director of Development and is part of a collaborative advancement team that includes annual giving, stewardship, and communications professionals. Together, the team secures more than $5M annually in support of Extension's mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Annual giving & donor engagement (60%)

• Design comprehensive multi-channel annual giving strategies across Extension programs, including donor segmentation to maximize engagement and conversion - specifically focused on gifts under $25,000.
• Develop strategic plans and key messaging for annual campaigns, supplemental solicitations (Give to the Max Day, 4-H programming, Minnesota State Fair, etc.), and signature events - defining objectives, targeting, timing, and metrics while coordinating with graphic designers and communicators for content production.
• Collaborate with the University of Minnesota Foundation's "M Engagement" team to ensure Extension's annual giving efforts complement and integrate with broader institutional strategies, including coordinated approaches to mailing, email, calling, text messaging, and campaign timing.
• Develop pathways for donor acquisition, retention, and upgrades across all giving levels.
• Manage budgets for annual giving solicitations, donor events, and stewardship activities, and streamline related fundraising processes and workflows.
• Manage charitable sponsorship processes and support educators in securing sponsorships that enable Extension events, conferences, workshops, educational programming.
• Meet annual performance expectations including $1.5M+ in gifts under $25,000, plus donor acquisition, retention, and pipeline development targets.
• Lead Extension's collaboration with UMF's Leadership Annual Giving (LAG) Team to qualify and solicit individuals from a community of 10,000+ donors capable of making larger gifts and multi-year pledges.
• Design recognition programs for significant donor milestones (longevity, cumulative giving, payroll donors, Extension supporters in UMF's Heritage Society, and other meaningful giving benchmarks) that celebrate donor commitment and inspire continued engagement.
• Develop volunteer engagement strategies that leverage Extension alumni, advisory board members, and committed donors as advancement ambassadors.
• Direct stewardship strategy development and coordinate with Extension's gift officers and communicators to ensure donors receive meaningful recognition and regular impact updates.
• Partner with 4-H staff to develop and manage fundraising processes that ensure sustained support for Minnesota State Fair 4-H awards and recognition.
• Manage a mid-level ($5k-$10k) portfolio of 15-30 prospects, including qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to advance donors toward consideration of larger giving.

Data management & strategic analytics (40%)

• Serve as Extension's primary data manager, ensuring seamless flow between educators, staff, and key systems (DMS, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, PEARS, 4-H Online, registration platforms), while maintaining data integrity and compliance with accessibility, privacy, and mass emailing requirements.
• Lead comprehensive donor data management including group creation, constituent updates, query development, and access management, in accordance with UMF best practices.
• Train educators and staff on data systems integration and data's role in Extension's strategic plan and advancement goals.
• Conduct strategic analysis of data, patterns, engagement metrics, and constituent participation history to inform advancement strategy, enhance communication approaches, and identify prospects for donor engagement.
• Develop dashboards, reports, or analytics that track constituent engagement patterns, campaign effectiveness, lifecycle metrics, and fundraising performance.
• Partner with UMF to enhance data integration, reporting capabilities, and prospect research processes.

Work location:

• This position is part of a campus-based team at the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus and requires regular on-campus presence for collaboration and planning.
• Work arrangements:
  • Preferred: Full-time on-campus, or 3-4 days per week on campus.
  • Alternative: Hybrid options may be considered.
• Final work arrangements will be finalized collaboratively during the offer process based on candidate location, experience, and team needs.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• Four years of progressive experience in fundraising, donor relations, advancement, fund-raising data management/ analytics
• Proficiency with donor database systems (Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, DMS, etc.).
• Advanced Excel/data analysis skills, dashboard or report creation, and ability to work across interconnected software platforms.
• Demonstrated experience in donor engagement, annual giving programs, or relationship-driven revenue generation.
• Knowledge of gift processing workflows, compliance and privacy requirements, and advancement services best practices.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, including listening, persuasive writing, presentations, and ability to work independently and in teams.
• Project management experience.
• Creative and entrepreneurial approach balanced with sound judgment.
• Experience with Google and Microsoft applications.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver's license and own means of transportation with required liability insurance. Occasional travel is essential for donor engagement. Typical travel includes:
  • Day trips 1-2 times per month throughout Minnesota.
  • Occasional weekend or evening events (4-7 annually).
  • Reimbursement for travel and subsistence is available in accordance with University policy.
• Must be able to work regularly at a dedicated/assigned Extension office and must have reliable internet if/when working outside of the office.
• When not in the assigned office location, must be reachable with a number that will be published in the Extension staff directory.
• Ability to work in various indoor and outdoor temperatures and environments.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with Donor Management System (DMS)
• Experience supporting capital campaigns or multi-year fundraising initiatives.
• Experience engaging and supporting volunteers in fundraising or outreach.
• Proficiency in direct mail, crowdfunding, online giving platforms, campaign development, and HTML-driven email systems.
• Knowledge of marketing and branding principles, planned giving, and other advanced giving vehicles.
• Experience creating or delivering professional development and training.
• Cultural competency and ability to engage effectively with diverse communities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and inspire others - including volunteers.
• Knowledge of Extension's mission and Minnesota 4-H programs.
• Proven success working in hybrid or remote environments while maintaining high performance standards and cultivating strong professional relationships.

About Extension

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Extension's programming and employee engagement. Find further information on the Extension website.

Pay Range: $68,000-$83,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click Apply and follow the instructions.

Please include the following attachments with your online application:

1. Cover letter that speaks to your experience related to donor engagement and fundraising
2. Resume/Vitae

Contact information for three professional references and college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) will be required during the interview process.

Please note: This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. See full application instructions.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please email employ@umn.edu or call 612-624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.