Donor Engagement Specialist, UMN Extension

Working Title: Donor Engagement Specialist

Appointment: Full time, P&A, Annual Giving Officer 2 (job code # 9702AG)

Office location: Coffey Hall, St. Paul Campus; flexible work options may be possible

Pay range: $58,000-$75,000 depending on education, qualifications, experience

Apply by: November 16, 2025

University of Minnesota Extension seeks a Donor Engagement Specialist to strengthen philanthropic support for its statewide mission. This role identifies, cultivates, and engages donors who invest in Extension's work across Minnesota, with particular emphasis on individuals and families who consistently make gifts of $5,000-25,000.

As a strategic relationship-builder, you will collaborate with Extension educators and leaders to translate program outcomes into compelling giving opportunities. You'll engage donors through multiple channels - events, video and phone conversations, strategic communications, and select one-on-one meetings - guiding them through a giving cycle that deepens their engagement over time. Extension prioritizes opening doors for people to engage philanthropically at all levels, and this position reflects our commitment to providing donors with authentic, meaningful connections to our impact locally and statewide.

This position reports to the Director of Development and is part of a collaborative advancement team that includes major gifts, annual giving, stewardship, and communications professionals. Together, the team secures more than $5M annually in support of Extension's mission.

• Develop a strong understanding of Extension's programs, priorities, and giving opportunities to engage donors with clarity and purpose.
• Meet annual performance expectations, including targets for donor acquisition, retention, and pipeline development.
• Manage 30-60 prospects, including individuals, families, donor-advised funds, family foundations, companies, and organizations in partnership with the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF).
• Engage donors through multiple channels: events, video/phone conversations, strategic communications, and select one-on-one meetings when warranted.
• Guide donors through the giving cycle and assess their capacity and readiness - determining who should advance to leadership-level strategies managed by Extension's Director of Development, and who is best served through sustained $5k-$25k engagement.
• Cultivate relationships, present giving opportunities aligned with Extension's priorities, and secure gift commitments.
• Assess and qualify prospects, develop tailored engagement and solicitation strategies, and advance prospects through the giving cycle.
• Collaborate with Extension educators to prepare and deliver gift proposals that align donor interests with Extension's impact and initiatives.
• Partner with UMF colleagues on prospect research, gift processing, and donor stewardship.

• Build fundraising cases for specific Extension programs by identifying compelling stories, impact data, and messaging that demonstrate how gifts create meaningful outcomes.
• Guide smaller-scale giving opportunities that introduce donors to Extension's impact and demonstrate what future larger gifts might make possible.
• Manage ongoing relationships with corporate and foundation donors post-gift, determining which engagements require leadership involvement and which can be effectively stewarded through regular updates, site visits, and impact reporting. Serve as a development team liaison to Extension's and UMF's pre- and post-award grants teams.
• Develop strategies to identify Extension's strongest friends and potential donors across communities statewide - including longtime volunteers, program participants, retirees, and community supporters who demonstrate capacity and affinity for Extension's mission but haven't yet engaged philanthropically.
• Respond to inquiries about planned giving, estate gifts, and memorial contributions.
• Provide guidance to educators, staff, and volunteers on effective donor engagement strategies.
• Maintain timely, detailed records of all donor interactions in the Donor Management System (DMS).
• Represent Extension at statewide events such as the Minnesota State Fair, donor gatherings, advisory board meetings, retiree social events, and Farm Fest.
• Identify prospective candidates for Extension's many advisory boards and committees.
• Participate in special projects, including campaign initiatives, event planning, and process improvements.

• This position is part of a campus-based team at the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus and requires regular on-campus presence for collaboration and planning.
• Work arrangements
  • Preferred: Full-time on-campus, or some flexibility with 3-4 days per week on campus. Final arrangements will be determined during the offer process based on candidate location, experience, and team needs.

• Bachelor's degree.
• Two years of progressive experience in fundraising, donor relations, advancement, or relationship-driven roles involving cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Project management experience.
• Strong communication skills, including engaged listening, persuasive writing, and clear presentations.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple concurrent relationships, competing priorities, and complex schedules.
• Creative and entrepreneurial approach with strategic awareness, sound judgment, and genuine connection to mission-driven, community-centered work.
• Proficiency with customer relationship management platforms (Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, or similar donor/customer database systems).
• Experience with Microsoft and Google suite applications.
• Willingness and ability to drive throughout Minnesota (50-300 miles per week). Valid driver's license with applicable insurance.
• Ability to work in various indoor and outdoor temperatures and environments.

• Regular travel throughout Minnesota is essential for donor engagement. A valid driver's license, personal vehicle, and required liability insurance are necessary. All work-related travel expenses are reimbursed per University policy. Typical travel includes:
  • Day trips 1-3 times per week throughout Minnesota
  • Overnight travel 5-10 times annually (1-2 nights)
  • Occasional weekend events (2-4 annually), with weekday flexibility provided
  • Significant presence at the Minnesota State Fair and other 4-H showcase events throughout the year.
• Must be able to work regularly at a dedicated/assigned Extension office and must have reliable internet if/when working outside of the office.
• When not in the assigned office location, must be reachable with a number that will be published in the Extension staff directory.
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

• Prior solicitation experience - personally asking donors for gifts through meetings, calls, or personalized correspondence, not mass appeals.
• Experience supporting capital campaigns or multi-year fundraising initiatives.
• Knowledge of gift processing workflows, compliance and privacy requirements, and advancement services best practices.
• Experience engaging and supporting volunteers in fundraising or outreach.
• Ability to engage and inspire volunteers in fundraising and outreach activities.
• Knowledge of planned giving and other advanced giving vehicles.
• Cultural competency and experience engaging effectively with diverse communities.
• Proven success working in hybrid or remote environments while maintaining high performance standards and cultivating strong professional relationships.
• Experience creating or delivering professional development and training.
• Knowledge of Extension's mission and Minnesota 4-H programs.

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Extension's programming and employee engagement. Find further information on the Extension website.

Pay Range: $58,000-$75,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click Apply and follow the instructions.

Please include the following attachments with your online application:

• Cover letter that speaks to your experience related to donor engagement and fundraising
• Resume/Vitae

Contact information for three professional references and college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) will be required during the interview process.

Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. See full application instructions.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please email employ@umn.edu or call 612-624-UOHR (8647).

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).