As an instrumental member of the Parent and Family Philanthropy program, you will collaborate across the division to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, while also driving support for Denison’s Annual Fund. Managing a dedicated portfolio of approximately 75 families, you will partner closely with the Director to oversee the Family Leadership Council and spearhead key family philanthropy events. In this role, your work will directly deepen family engagement, foster lasting connections, and inspire transformational philanthropy that shapes the future of the college.
Responsibilities:
Leverage university campaign priorities and institutional initiatives to inspire deep philanthropic investment, strategically aligning them with the unique philanthropic goals of donor families.
Manage the Family Leadership Council (FLC)—a premier network of 100+ households—under the direction of the Director of Parent and Family Philanthropy. Oversee the execution of biannual on-campus and virtual meetings, and execute strategic, regular communications synchronized with broader divisional advancement activities.
Travel to and collaborate effectively with regional advancement colleagues to develop and implement cohesive strategies that accelerate relationship development and donor pipeline growth.
Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with campus partners beyond the advancement division to enrich institutional knowledge and secure resources that support and inform family donors.
Recruit, onboard, and manage parent and family volunteers to drive success for annual fund initiatives (e.g., Giving Day), host regional events, and champion career services and admissions efforts.
Department/Division Overview:
Institutional Advancement plays a vital role in furthering Denison University’s mission by inspiring meaningful engagement and philanthropic support among alums, families, and friends. Our work is centered on building lasting relationships that strengthen the Denison community and create opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and alums to thrive. We connect Denisonians to one another and to the university, helping ensure that a Denison education, with all of its lifelong impacts, remains accessible to talented students regardless of their financial circumstances.
As a member of Institutional Advancement, you will join a collaborative, mission-driven team that values partnership, creativity, and shared success. Colleagues across the division work together to deepen constituent engagement and secure the resources that advance the university’s priorities. This is an especially exciting time to join the team as Denison continues the momentum of What We Can Be: The Denison Campaign, a bold effort to strengthen opportunities for students and fortify Denison’s position as a leading innovator among liberal arts colleges. Every role in the division contributes to building a stronger, more connected Denison community and a brighter future for generations of students and alums.
Minimum Requirements:
1-3 Years of professional experience
Some level of fundraising experience (includes volunteer fundraising)
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of professional experience
Preferred Requirements:
2+ years of fundraising experience
Donor management experience
Communication Skills
Volunteer and Philanthropy experience
Proven experience navigating and utilizing CRM platforms to track and manage constituent pipelines and ensure data integrity.
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel; knowledge of formulas, pivot tables, and large datasets for reporting and decision making.
Why Choose Denison?
Denison University is a leading, fully residential liberal arts college in Granville, Ohio, located just outside the Columbus metro area. Established in 1831, Denison blends a rigorous academic foundation with an award-winning approach to student mentorship and career readiness. With a vibrant campus community of 2,400 students and around 2,000 employees, Denison offers employees a supportive, forward-thinking environment dedicated to educational excellence and professional growth.
Denison provides a number of staff-focused benefits, with some highlights:
10% contribution to your retirement
22 vacation days
3 floating holidays
Paid campus closure from Christmas to New Years
Free parking and gym membership
Free classes for employees
Full tuition coverage for dependents
Want to learn more about us? Visit Denison.edu for more information.
Salary Range: Up to $82,500