Career Center

Director - Philanthropy-Athletics

About Eastern Washington University:
Eastern Washington University is a regional, comprehensive public university located in Cheney and Spokane, Washington, with programs offered throughout the state and online with an enrollment of over 12,000 students. Eastern is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington reporting to its own Board of Trustees.

Eastern’s 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 11,000 residents 16 miles southwest of the state’s second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the Brand new Catalyst building and on the Riverpoint Campus which is shared with Washington State University. Eastern also offers program throughout the state based on the needs of the community. Eastern offers an array of bachelor’s and master’s degrees and one applied doctorate in physical therapy. EWU offers 135 fields of study, 9 master’s degrees, 12 graduate certificates, 39 graduate programs, 1 educational specialist degree, and 1 applied doctorate to more than 10,000 enrolled students.

Tribal Land Acknowledgement

Eastern Washington University resides within the traditional homelands of the Spokane People and other tribes who are connected through their shared history of this region. This land holds their cultural DNA and it is their Ancestors who are here and bring forth the knowledge of this place—the knowledge that comes from the land.

Job Summary:

• Eastern Washington University is seeking a Director of Philanthropy, Athletics. Come join a dynamic and committed team of fundraising professionals, and the university's first $100 Million campaign, which includes focus on student athlete success and athletic facilities enhancements.
• EWU's athletics department is an integral component of the university community. The university sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, enhancing learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and enriching the student and alumni experience. Eastern is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 11 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Since fall 2007, EWU student athletes have achieved a department GPA of =>3.0 for 42 quarters straight. Teams and individuals regularly compete in—and win—division and conference championships.
• The candidate selected for this position will be rewarded with competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package which includes highly subsidized health/dental plans, retirement plan with 100% university match, generous paid vacation and sick leave, 11 paid holidays, tuition waiver benefit and more.
• Position is open through May 31, 2022 with interviews scheduled the week of June 6th and second round interviews to follow the week of June 13.

Position Overview: Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Philanthropy, the Director of Philanthropy, Athletics is assigned to the University Advancement unit. The Director of Philanthropy, Athletics leads philanthropic efforts for Athletics by identifying and implementing strategies to secure significant philanthropic support for Athletics priorities. This position is responsible for cultivating meaningful relationships with potential and current Major Gift ($25,000+) level donors to Eastern Washington University.The Director of Philanthropy, Athletics manages a portfolio of donors and prospective donors, and is responsible for facilitating all phases of the gift cycle, including initiating contact, cultivating and moving potential donors to solicitation and closure, creating solicitations, writing proposals, and stewarding donors. The Director of Philanthropy, Athletics works collaboratively with Athletics' leadership, coaches, key volunteers, University leadership and faculty, advancement colleagues and other school representatives to cultivate and solicit donors for Athletics.
Specific Responsibilities:

• Identify and cultivate major gift prospects educating them about Athletics priorities, develop ways to source new prospects and follow up on inquiries regarding significant gifts to Athletics and the University. Accountable for cultivating relationships of individual and organizational fundraising with focus on retention, recapture, and growth.
• Personally solicit assigned donor portfolio through face-to-face visits, including preparation of personalized materials. Proactively identify, develop, and deliver engagement opportunities to donors to ensure the maximization of their financial and non-financial support.
• Research, develop, and write funding proposals, appeal letters, and reports as required;
• Accountable for meeting or exceeding established monthly and weekly fundraising goals and metrics.
• Solicit and secure major, principal gifts, and planned gifts from assigned donors starting at $25,000.
• Manage a budget ensuring that expenditures are in compliance and expense reports are prepared and submitted as needed.
• Effectively manage approximately 120 major gift prospects through personal visits, correspondence, electronic and telephone communication.
• Travel is required for donor visits, primarily utilizing personal vehicle for visits in Eastern Washington region. Mileage reimbursement per state rates.
• On top of salary, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, life and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 11 paid holidays per year and fringe benefits, such as tuition waiver for employees, discounted EWU sports tickets and free transportation through STA buses.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated successful professional advancement and/or fundraising-related experience, preferably in higher education and Athletics; or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been achieved.
• A demonstrated commitment to the mission of Eastern Washington University and its Athletics Department.
• Ability to work frequent athletic functions in the evenings and on weekends and periodic domestic travel.
• Experience with and strong understanding of the Athletic environment and donor community is preferred.
• A minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of prior Athletics’ fundraising experience in successfully cultivating and securing major gifts of $25,000 or more which may include marketing work such as soliciting support through marketing contractors such as Leer Field.
• Consistent record of building solid relationships with prospects and donors;
• Understand basic principles and techniques of planned giving and work closely with planned giving colleagues.
• Ability to manage a mixed portfolio of approximately 120 individual, corporate, and prospective donors involving travel and considerable face to face meetings.
• Understand business processes of advancement operations including prospect management, donor relations, and gift processing.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, listening, and written communication skills to share Athletics’ mission, vision, and goals with clarity, passion, and persuasion.
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities and strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrated aptitude at representing an organization in a professional and highly effective manner.
• Ability to work well with diverse groups of constituents and colleagues.
• High level of creativity, initiative, and motivation.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality with respect to prospects and donors;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office – Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with CRM fundraising software.
• Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in Higher Education fundraising or development.
• Volunteer or work experience with a non-profit organization.

Other Skills and Abilities:


Job Duties:
% of Time: 20
Responsibility / Duty: Initiate and coordinate major giving efforts for athletics priorities by utilizing the Moves Management approach, working with a donor pool of about 120 prospects on an annual basis. Match interests of donors with areas of University or College/Division priority. Complete target of 200 plus face-to-face prospect visits each year. Present major gift proposals for support.
Essential Function Indicator: Yes


% of Time: 10
Responsibility / Duty: Involve and work with university leadership and volunteers in solicitation of major gifts as appropriate. Become an expert with programs across the university, specifically athletics.
Essential Function Indicator: Yes


% of Time: 10
Responsibility / Duty: Attend regular prospect management meetings and other advancement activities in order to further the success of the University Advancement team.
Essential Function Indicator: Yes


% of Time: 10
Responsibility / Duty: With assistance of prospect research personnel, prioritize prospective donors to the university.
Essential Function Indicator: Yes


% of Time: 10
Responsibility / Duty: Work with centralized areas for support with other opportunities through annual giving, planned giving and athletics.
Essential Function Indicator: Yes



Conditions of Employment:
This position, during the course of university employment will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value; as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.
Salary Information: $82,000 – $85,000

Posting Date: 05/12/2022
Open Until Further Notice: No
Closing Date: 5/31/2022
Screening to Begin: 06/01/2022

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Submit your application materials through our online applications portal provided below. If you are unable to submit through the applicant portal, please contact Human Resources Services at (509) 359-2381.

To apply, visit https://jobs.hr.ewu.edu/postings/8646

EWU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws.

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