Posted: July 17, 2025
Expires: September 15, 2025
University of Toledo Foundation
4510 Dorr St., Toledo, OH 43615
About University of Toledo Foundation
The mission of The University of Toledo Foundation is to help secure the future of the University through engagement, philanthropy and prudent asset management. We provide financial and strategic support for The University of Toledo’s vision to improve the human condition.
VISION
The University of Toledo Foundation embraces the mission of The University of Toledo by aspiring to be a forward-thinking, philanthropic organization, providing impactful financial support and engagement opportunities for transformation throughout the University community.
VALUES
The University of Toledo Foundation will be guided by its commitment to:
- Integrity, respect and transparency.
- Earn the respect, trust and confidence of donors and the general public.
- Have long-term perspective and focus on growing a sustainable organization.
- Our mission, and that of The University of Toledo, to improve the human condition.
- A demonstrated desire to achieve excellence through innovation.
Learn more about the Foundation at https://www.utfoundation.org/.
The Opportunity
The University of Toledo Foundation is hiring two Directors of Development. Each Director will serve as the lead fundraiser for their respective portfolios, responsible for building strong donor relationships, expanding the pipeline of support, and elevating the visibility of each area’s impact. With the flexibility to engage in regional discovery work and occasional travel, this role offers a meaningful chance to shape the future of the University through strategic, donor-centered fundraising. As the Foundation values collaboration, this is an in-office role four days a week.
Director of Development, College of Engineering:
The Director of Development for the College of Engineering leads the major gift strategy for the College, working closely with the Dean to achieve philanthropic goals, broaden the donor base, and raise awareness of the College’s funding priorities. This role serves as the primary fundraiser for engineering-related initiatives, supporting faculty, staff, and University facilities dedicated to College research. The position involves regional discovery work and occasional travel as needed to advance the portfolio.
Director of Development, Main Campus:
The Director of Development for the Main Campus is responsible for leading the major gift strategy for the Jesup Scott Honors College, University College, University Libraries, and other university-wide initiatives. Collaborating closely with the deans and directors of these units, this individual will focus on meeting philanthropic goals, growing the donor base, and raising awareness of each unit’s fundraising priorities. Serving as the primary fundraiser, the Director will support faculty and staff across these critical areas. The role includes regional discovery work and may involve occasional travel as the portfolio requires.
Candidate Profile
The Directors will be responsible for the following:
- Maintaining a portfolio of 125+ qualified prospective donors with an emphasis on major gifts at or above $50,000.
- Meeting or exceeding annual expectations for donor visits, qualifications, and solicitations.
- Conveying passion for the institution’s mission, traditions, and long-term success.
- Consistently demonstrating the mission, vision, and values of the University of Toledo Foundation and the University of Toledo
- UTF RITE Values: Respect, Integrity, Transparency & Teamwork, and Excellence
- Possess outstanding written and verbal skills.
- Must be able to develop interpersonal relationships with multiple constituents.
- Exhibit integrity, impeccable ethics, initiative, enthusiasm, and the ability to establish trust and credibility.
- Demonstrate commitment and ability to:
- Provide quality customer service.
- Plan, organize, and remain accountable for actions.
- Problem solve utilizing critical thinking skills.
- Function in a confidential manner.
- Collaborate with other staff.
- Develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for a portfolio of prospects and donors. Builds and manages network of relationships with prospective donors involving University administrators, senior leaders, as well as faculty and staff. Facilitates and coordinates all communication with these prospects and among the prospect’s campus relationships. Promotes positive relationships with these prospects and donors.
- May supervise and provide direction to assigned assistant director(s) of development.
- Lead and direct, often in concert with others, gift solicitations to fund University programs and priorities.
- Evaluate various gift opportunities and giving vehicles and recommend the most suitable for a particular donor.
- Interact with internal contacts such as deans, directors, faculty, officers, and other Development staff to consult on University needs, to formulate strategies to promote prospect engagement with the University and to identify potential donors.
- Assist with the strategy for and creation of written communications from various University administrators to align with donor interests.
- Travel commensurate with standard expectations for fundraising activity and contact to reach donors and prospects locally, regionally, and nationally.
- Performs additional development-related activities/efforts at the request of manager.
- May perform other duties as assigned.
In addition, strong candidates will offer:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum 3 years’ professional fundraising experience including cultivating, soliciting, and closing major gifts.
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the importance of University Development activities to maintain lasting and positive donor relationships.
- Experience in higher education fundraising preferred.
Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for these roles are $76,500–$105,160 and will be determined by the Foundation based on the candidate’s years of experience.
The University of Toledo Foundation offers a robust benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, with no cost to employees for dental and vision plans. Employees can choose between a PPO or High Deductible Health Plan, with the Foundation contributing up to $3,000 annually to HSA. Additional benefits include employer-paid life and AD&D insurance, optional FSAs, and up to 7% retirement contributions through a 403(b) plan. Educational assistance is available for UToledo courses, along with support for professional development.
Employees also receive generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, 11 holidays, and a paid winter break. Other perks include access to an onsite fitness center and café, and a range of voluntary benefits such as accident, critical illness, and pet insurance.
Contact
DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Paul Towne and Alicia Salerno. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
The University of Toledo Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We commit to treating all applicants and employees as individuals, holding everyone to equal standards, and providing equal opportunity in hiring, promotion, compensation, and other employment practices without regard to race, color, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military or veteran status, disability, familial status, or political affiliation.
About DSG | Koya
DSG | Koya, a DSG Global company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, DSG | Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. DSG | Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
DSG Global is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.
Learn more about DSG | Koya via the firm's website.