Southwest Minnesota State University

Southwest Minnesota State University

Type of position: Graduate Assistantship in Annual Giving

Salary: $10,000 plus tuition waiver (full year)

The Annual Giving program solicits annual private support from alumni, campus employees, businesses, family members, and friends of Southwest through Phonathon, direct mail, online, and personal contacts. The SMSU Foundation staff strives to educate the University community on the importance of private giving and foster life-long relationships with alumni of Southwest.

The Graduate Assistant reports to the Director of Annual Giving. The primary goal of the position is to support the SMSU Foundation mission. Core duties include: educate student callers about the importance of private giving at Southwest; assist with initiatives that will increase annual giving among alumni, employees, and other University constituent groups; provide support for key Foundation fundraising and donor recognition events; and, bring awareness to peers and others the importance of giving to Southwest.

Responsibilities:

·  Assist in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and training SMSU Call Center student staff

·  Maintain student caller information (i.e. roster, schedule, performance statistics, evaluations, etc.)

·  Prepare SMSU Call Center materials (i.e. training packets, pledge and matching gift slips, tally sheets, etc.)

·  Serve as point of contact for SMSU Call Center student supervisors to maintain seamless operation of the Call Center

·  Maintenance, troubleshooting and cleaning of SMSU Call Center equipment and work area

·  Share both team and individual goals and accomplishments with callers

·  Communicate regularly, via phone, email, and in –person with Foundation staff

·  Assist with SMSU Foundation events (i.e. preparation, facilitation, evaluation)

·  Manage the content and design of the SMSU Foundation web site

·  Works in conjunction with the SMSU Alumni Association

·  Other duties as assigned

Experience Preferred:

·  Previous fundraising experience

·  Knowledge of SMSU Call Center program or other constituent phone outreach program

·  Desire to pursue a career in philanthropy, fundraising, or development

Qualifications:

·  Must be accepted to a Master’s program at Southwest Minnesota State University

·  Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and be a student in good standing with Southwest Minnesota State University

·  Must have completed a bachelor’s degree

·  Love for Southwest and understanding of importance of annual giving

·  Willing and able to work nights and weekends

·  Two year commitment required

·  Must comply with department’s confidentiality agreement

·  Exercise effective communication skills to demonstrate knowledge of and an enthusiasm for SMSU, its benefits and programs

·  Experience and/or training in fundraising, marketing, sales, or customer/public relations

·  Leadership, professionalism, initiative, and positive attitude

·  Demonstrated an ability to work independently, as well as within a team

·  Able to succeed in a fast-paced, changing environment

Application Information:

Send letter of application, resume, and the names and phone numbers of three (3) references. (Persons writing letters should be advised of Minnesota’s open record law, which can make such letters available to applicants upon request.)

Apply to:

SMSU Foundation

Southwest Minnesota State University

1501 State Street

Marshall, MN 56258

Inquiries about the position can be directed to:

Erik Vogel

Director of Annual Giving

P: 507.537.6147

Southwest Minnesota State University is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System and is an equal opportunity educator and employer. The University is committed to affirmative recruitment and encourages applications from women, persons of color, and persons with disabilities. Applicants must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States.
Requests for reasonable accommodation of a disability during the application and/or interview process should be made to the Affirmative Action Office, 507-537-6208. For TTY communications, contact Minnesota Relay Service at 1-800-627-3529. This vacancy notice is availble in alternative format upon request.