Associate Director of Development

Full-time, benefited position through The Bulldog Foundation.  The Bulldog Foundation (BDF) is the fundraising arm of Fresno State Athletics and provides Bulldog alumni, fans, and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State student-athletes. The Associate Director of Development serves as a representative of the Bulldog Foundation and Fresno State Athletics and is specifically responsible for development activities.  The Associate Director is responsible for identifying, prospecting, soliciting and stewarding both major gifts ($25,000) and annual scholarship fund donors. This position will be expected to identify new major gift donors, establish strong corporate relationships, and provide stewardship to current athletic donors.  

The Associate Director of Development reports to the Director of Development and is responsible for the following typical duties, but are not limited to the following:

• Serve as athletic department development gift officer.

• Manage a portfolio of primarily new/discovery major gift prospects, seeking to grow the pool of engaged alumni, parents, friends of the university and corporate philanthropy. Regularly communicate with and engage with current and prospective donors to Fresno State Athletics.

• Meet annual goals of increasing the number of gifts to the Bulldog Foundation.

• Identify, cultivate and solicit major gifts

• Establish and maintain corporate relationships to increase donation levels, season tickets, and corporate marketing opportunities. 

• Help ensure effective communication among development staff. 

• Aggressively identify and formally qualify new prospects and existing donors though personal visits, phone calls, correspondence, events and university activities to meet fundraising objectives.

• Serve as BDF liaison to designated sport club(s)

• Create written proposals and case statements for solicitation of individuals and organizations.  Coordinate clearance with other development officers and administrators.

• Conduct ongoing stewardship, including prompt gift acknowledgements/thank you correspondence, recognition, communications and special events.

• Collaborate with development staff, faculty, coaches, program directors, other university administrators, and volunteers to identify, qualify, cultivate and solicit prospective donors.

• Rank and prioritize potential donors.

• Listen to passions of current and potential donors, further engage them.

• Collaborate with athletic and campus colleagues to strategize, then solicit potential donors for gifts.

Secondary duties of the job include:

• Assist in the development and implementation of a comprehensive prospecting plan for university alumni, who are potential high-end annual ($10,000+) and major gift ($100K+) prospects using tools provided by the Office of Prospect Management and Analytics.

• Performs special duties and projects as requested by the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development.

• Represent the Bulldog Foundation at donor events (dinners, football game day, fund raisers) to strengthen relationships with current and interact with potential donors.

• Other duties and projects as assigned

  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree required. 

• Two (2) years of intercollegiate athletics experience, preferable in intercollegiate athletics development.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Experience:

• Master’s Degree

• Experience with Paciolan donor and ticketing software.

• Knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations.

Specialized Skills:

• Proficient with Microsoft Office.

• Detail oriented individual who has exhibited strong leadership skills

• Excellent interpersonal, oral and communication skills

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with donors, staff and volunteers from diverse backgrounds (ethnic, cultural and socio-economic).

• Effectively work in a fast paced, collaborative environment and support the equity commitment of Fresno State.

$4,458 per month ($53,500 annually).  This is a non-exempt position that will require seasonal overtime hours.  Benefits include medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, vacation, sick leave, and holiday pay.

Application review begins on May 16, 2024. Position will remain open until filled.

Please submit a cover letter, resume and references to bulldogfoundation@mail.fresnostate.edu.