The Philanthropy Associate serves as the primary Advancement liaison for intercollegiate athletics and leads fundraising, sponsorship development, engagement with athletic alumni and parents, and donor stewardship in support of Mars Hill University Athletics. This position keeps athletic fundraising integrated within University Advancement while working closely with the Director of Athletics, coaches, the Lions Athletic Club, alumni, parents, friends, and community partners.
The Philanthropy Associate develops philanthropic support for athletics through leadership gifts, annual giving, sponsorships, endowed athletic scholarships, capital improvements, and meaningful engagement opportunities that connect athletic alumni and supporters to the life of the University.
Essential Responsibilities
Athletic Giving and Donor Engagement
• Manage a portfolio of athletic fundraising prospects, including alumni, parents, friends, corporate partners, and community supporters.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors for leadership gifts supporting athletics, scholarships, facilities, team priorities, and capital improvements.
• Prepare and present donor proposals, sponsorship materials, and gift opportunities in collaboration with University Advancement.
• Develop strategies to increase annual giving, recurring support, and donor participation for athletics.
• Support endowed athletic scholarships and team-based fundraising priorities.
Lions Athletic Club and Athletic Partnerships
• Serve as the primary Advancement liaison to the Lions Athletic Club and work closely with the Director of Athletics and Lions Athletic Club leadership.
• Support an annual fundraising and sponsorship goal of $200,000 for the Lions Athletic Club and related athletic priorities.
• Develop and grow sponsorship and partnership opportunities with corporate and community partners.
• Partner with coaches and athletic leadership on donor cultivation, stewardship, team fundraising, and engagement strategies.
• Build athletics as a meaningful donor acquisition and engagement pipeline for the University.
Athletic Alumni, Parent, and Event Engagement
• Organize athletic alumni, parent, and donor engagement initiatives, including events, reunions, recognition activities, hospitality opportunities, and affinity gatherings.
• Coordinate donor hospitality and engagement opportunities around athletic events.
• Strengthen former athlete engagement, parent involvement, community connection, and recurring support.
• Identify meaningful ways for athletic alumni, parents, and friends to connect with student-athletes, coaches, teams, and the University.
Capital Projects, Sponsorships, and Strategic Priorities
• Lead and coordinate fundraising for athletic capital projects, facility improvements, and strategic athletic priorities.
• Work with athletic leadership to identify funding needs and develop clear, compelling opportunities for donor and sponsor investment.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues to ensure athletic fundraising aligns with overall University goals and priorities.
• Participate in the planning and execution of fundraising campaigns, events, and special initiatives connected to athletics.
Stewardship, Reporting, and Administration
• Develop and execute stewardship plans that provide meaningful donor recognition and communicate the impact of gifts.
• Maintain accurate records of donor contacts, proposals, sponsorships, gifts, and engagement activity in the University’s advancement database.
• Prepare regular reports on fundraising progress, sponsorship activity, Lions Athletic Club engagement, and donor participation.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of fundraising and engagement strategies and adjust plans as needed to meet goals.
• Support a culture of excellent stewardship, timely follow-up, and relationship-based fundraising.
Qualifications and Skills
• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of three to five years of experience in fundraising, advancement, sales, relationship management, athletics administration, sponsorship development, or related work preferred.
• Experience in athletic fundraising, higher education advancement, sponsorship development, or donor relations is highly desirable.
• Strong relationship-building skills and ability to work effectively with alumni, parents, donors, coaches, volunteers, students, staff, faculty, and community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to ask for financial support and close gifts or sponsorships.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strategic thinking, sound judgment, creativity, and problem-solving ability.
• Proficiency with donor management systems, Microsoft Office, and digital communication tools.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel as needed for athletic events, donor meetings, and regional engagement.
Desired Attributes
• Warm, professional, and relationship-centered presence.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Mars Hill University.
• Appreciation for the role of athletics in student development, alumni engagement, and institutional advancement.
• Collaborative spirit and willingness to work across Advancement, Athletics, and campus departments.
• Goal-oriented, dependable, and accurate in planning, follow-through, and donor communication.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
• Comfortable balancing hospitality, relationship-building, strategy, and measurable fundraising outcomes.