Major Gift Officer

Are you an experienced fundraising professional passionate about building meaningful relationships and driving impactful philanthropy? The University of Evansville is seeking a Major Gift Officer (MGO) to join our University Advancement team. This full-time position reports directly to the Senior Director of Major Gifts and plays a key role in supporting the University’s mission by advancing donor engagement and fundraising success.

Position Summary

As a Major Gift Officer, you will lead the qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for a designated portfolio of major gift prospects. You will be responsible for identifying and qualifying new donors, managing a robust portfolio of prospects, and meeting ambitious fundraising goals. This role involves significant relationship-building with individuals capable of giving and includes travel within assigned geographic territories.

Why Join the University of Evansville?

The University of Evansville offers a collaborative, mission-driven work environment where your contributions make a direct impact on students, faculty, and the broader community. As a Major Gift Officer, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with passionate donors, support transformative initiatives, and play a pivotal role in advancing the University's mission.

Key Responsibilities

Portfolio Management:

• Develop and manage a portfolio of prospects and suspects with the capacity to give $25,000 or more.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward donor relationships through face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and personalized communications.

Fundraising Goals:

• Raise both restricted and unrestricted funds for University priorities and programs.
• Complete at least 120 unique personal visits and 20 major gift proposals annually.

Strategy Development:

• Create and implement comprehensive strategies to advance relationships with assigned prospects.
• Collaborate with University departments to align donor interests with institutional needs.

Project & Liaison Responsibilities:

• Serve as the development liaison for a specific academic division or department.
• Assist with University Advancement and Alumni Engagement events, marketing initiatives, and communication efforts.

Administrative Tasks:

• Prepare written documents such as gift proposals and deeds of gifts.
• Enter contact reports and proposals into the CRM system following office policy.

Travel & Engagement:

• Travel to assigned territories for donor visits up to four weeks per year, often in one-week intervals.
• Attend University events, departmental meetings, and alumni functions as needed, including some evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional self-motivation, organization, and relationship-building abilities.
• Willingness to travel and work evenings/weekends as required.

Preferred:

• Prior experience in major gift fundraising or a related development role.
• Familiarity with donor CRM systems and proposal preparation.

Position Details

Start Date: March 3, 2025
Travel: Required up to four weeks per year, with occasional evening and weekend events.

How to Apply

To apply for the Major Gift Officer position, complete the University of Evansville online application located at http://tfd.cnyc86.com/offices/hr/employmentApp.cfm. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The University of Evansville expects all members of its community to treat each other with respect and civility. Harassing behaviors directed towards any member of our community will not be tolerated. As part of its commitment to non-discrimination, the University specifically prohibits harassment based on any other characteristics set forth in its nondiscrimination statement as follows: including race, color, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, creed or religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status and all federally protected groups/classes. Any form of harassment undermines the mission of the University and negatively impacts the University community as a whole.

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