Director of Advancement

Reporting and scope

Usually reports to the Executive Director / CEO or Head of School / Principal, or to a VP of Development / Advancement in larger institutions. Authority covers fundraising and often alumni relations and communications as a combined advancement function.

Core responsibilities

• Sets the annual fundraising plan and goals and reports progress to the board's development committee
• Manages a personal portfolio of major and leadership donors
• Oversees annual fund, events, grants and planned giving
• Leads alumni or parent engagement where the institution has these constituencies
• Directs donor stewardship, gift acknowledgment and donor database integrity
• Coordinates capital or endowment campaigns with the board and campaign counsel
• Ensures gift restrictions are recorded and honored with the finance office

How it differs

Director of Development focuses on raising money, while Director of Advancement usually also owns alumni relations and communications (common in schools and colleges). VP of Development / Advancement is the executive tier above; Director of Major Gifts manages one fundraising channel.

By organization size

In small schools and nonprofits the title often means the chief fundraiser with a small team. In universities and hospital foundations it more often names a unit leader under a vice president.