Director Of Philanthropy Jobs in Kentucky

Location: Bowling Green, KY
Category: Staff
Job Type: Full-time
Posted On: Mon Apr 27 2026

Position Overview

Western Kentucky University seeks an Assistant or Associate Director of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement to serve in a joint appointment with WKU Public Media, home to WKU Public Radio and PBS. This position is based within Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement and maintains a strong, collaborative liaison relationship with WKU Public Media leadership and staff. The title and fundraising expectations for this role will be determined based on the incoming candidate's experience: candidates with 0-2 years of fundraising experience will be appointed at the Assistant Director level, while candidates with 2 or more years of fundraising experience will be appointed at the Associate Director level.

The Philanthropy Officer - Public Media will be the primary frontline fundraiser dedicated to securing transformational major gifts ($25,000 and above) in support of WKU NPR and PBS programming, operations, and strategic initiatives. This role bridges the donor-centered relationship management expertise of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement with the mission-driven storytelling and community impact of WKU Public Media, creating a distinctive and compelling philanthropic experience for donors who believe in the power of public broadcasting.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Major Gift Fundraising for Public Media

• Manage a portfolio of current, lapsed, and prospective major gift donors ($25,000+) with a focus on philanthropic investment in WKU PBS and WKU Public Radio programming, infrastructure, and endowment.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each major gift prospect, utilizing in-person visits, video conferencing, phone, and written communications.
• Partner closely with WKU Public Media leadership and staff to remain current on station priorities, programming initiatives, capital needs, and community impact - translating these into compelling cases for philanthropic support.
• Collaborate with Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement colleagues to identify, qualify, and advance public media prospects from the university's broader donor and alumni pipeline.
• Solicit donors and prospects for major gifts in support of Public Media priorities, including endowed funds, program underwriting, equipment and facilities, and special initiatives.
• Steward existing Public Media donors through meaningful, mission-centered engagement including behind-the-scenes access, impact reporting, and recognition aligned with their interests.
• Responsible for raising a minimum of $250,000 annually (Assistant Director) or $500,000 annually (Associate Director) through major gift activity in support of WKU Public Media, commensurate with the appointed title and level of experience.

Portfolio & Relationship Management

• Manage a blended portfolio of current, lapsed, and prospective donors at both the leadership annual giving and major gift levels, ensuring consistent and relevant outreach through multi-channel touchpoint cadences.
• Execute touchpoint cadences across portfolio to ensure consistent and relevant donor communication via email, phone, social media, video conferencing, and texting.
• Identify and troubleshoot challenges to donors' online giving and engagement experience and work with appropriate colleagues to address.
• Identify prospects with major gift potential across the broader university portfolio and collaborate with colleagues to advance as appropriate.
• Promote philanthropic opportunities including university and college giving priorities, crowdfunding projects, Day of Giving, and alumni association membership alongside Public Media-specific initiatives.

Cross-Unit Collaboration

• Serve as the primary fundraising liaison between Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement and WKU Public Media, fostering a collaborative partnership that advances both the university's philanthropic mission and Public Media's community impact.
• Participate in WKU Public Media team meetings, events, and planning sessions as appropriate to remain deeply informed on station priorities and positioned to represent them compellingly to donors.
• Collaborate effectively with Philanthropy, Strategic Operations & Appeals, Alumni Engagement, and Donor Engagement & Communications teams as part of a comprehensive multi-channel fundraising program.
• Develop and maintain a broad knowledge and network of contacts across the university – including admissions, athletics, colleges, and programs – to identify engagement opportunities and demonstrate the impact of giving.
• Share upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, alumni association activities, and engagement pathways with donors to deepen their connection to WKU and Public Media, leading to increased philanthropic support.
• Maintain division core values: positivity, accountability, and excellence.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Essential for Success

• Articulate a strong and compelling case for support for public media's role in community education, journalism, and cultural programming, and connect that mission to individual donor values and philanthropic goals.
• Use multiple cloud-based platforms simultaneously to gain information and manage donor relationships.
• Create strong professional relationships across mediums, especially via video conferencing and in-person engagement.
• Comfortably solicit donors for major gifts, with the ability to navigate complex conversations involving significant financial commitments.
• Provide excellent customer service and maintain a donor-centered approach throughout all stages of the gift cycle.
• Apply creative and entrepreneurial thinking while exercising sound judgment and conducting oneself with integrity.
• Handle interpersonal relationships maturely, thoughtfully, and empathetically, including the ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Handle confidential material responsibly and interact professionally with a wide spectrum of individuals.
• Be fluent in the menu of engagement and philanthropic opportunities across the university (regional alumni events, on-campus events, mentorship and volunteer opportunities, crowdfunding campaigns, fundraising priorities) to inform conversations and solicitations.
• Navigate and build relationships within a matrixed organizational structure, working effectively across two distinct university units with shared goals.
• Prioritize effectively in a dynamic environment with multiple stakeholders and competing deadlines.

Physical Work Requirements

• Continuous work at a computer with multiple monitors.
• Constant contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise).
• Exposure to moderate noise, i.e. work colleagues, business office with computers, phones, and printers.
• Regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.
• Regular, predictable attendance is required; may require occasional weekend and evening work, including Public Media events and pledge drives.
• Regular requirement to work under strict deadlines.
• Travel required for donor visits and portfolio management.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• Assistant Director: 0-2 years of fundraising or related experience. Candidates at this level will manage a major gift portfolio with a minimum annual fundraising goal of $250,000 and will receive mentorship and professional development support to advance toward the Associate Director level.
• Associate Director: 2 or more years of fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in major gift solicitation or a track record of progressively responsible donor relationship management. Candidates at this level will manage a major gift portfolio with a minimum annual fundraising goal of $500,000.

Additional Information

Salary Range: $46,100 - $60,000

Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, should notify the office of Institutional Equity. To request an accommodation, report a complaint, or ask questions regarding WKU's Discrimination and Harassment Policy (#0.2040), please contact Ms. Ena Demir, Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator via email at ena.demir@wku.edu or by phone at (270) 745-6867. Ms. Demir is also responsible for coordinating the University's response to complaints related to sex and gender harassment. Additional information regarding Title IX is accessible via WKU's website.

Information concerning educational programs offered by WKU are provided at: http://www.wku.edu/atwku/academics.php

For information related to job postings, please email employment@wku.edu.