Philanthropy Officer

Job Description

Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy, the Philanthropy Officer role is to generate sustainable streams of major gift funding that will ensure the University’s long-term financial health. Aligning with the University’s goals, Philanthropy Officers shall cultivate and solicit gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations through in-person visits; write proposals and grants to private funders; plan and execute individually-tailored donor engagement and stewardship strategies; help foster a campus and community culture of philanthropy; and regularly report to the Director on the progress being made toward the year’s goals. Officers will assist in building attendance at key events. The Philanthropy team will model and foster collaboration, high performance, and dynamic professional growth.

Each Officer will be assigned specific individual and team goals aligned with their level of experience and capabilities, as well as a unique portfolio of donor prospects. Under the leadership of the Director, Philanthropy Officers will closely collaborate with the Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Office, the Director of Gift Planning, the Foundation staff and its Board, and other volunteer organizations. Philanthropy Officers may also guide the philanthropic elements of one or more donor engagement groups, such as advisory councils, affinity groups, or site-based engagement groups. Philanthropy Officers will travel extensively to engage donors and prospects through one-on-one, individual visits. Officers will promptly and accurately plan and execute moves management strategies and record their actions in the institution’s CRM, as directed, and on a regular basis share their future plans with the Director and others.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Develop and execute an annual plan to meet solicitation goals set by the Director of Philanthropy reporting each month on progress being made toward reaching assigned goals.
• Use the institution’s Donor and Gift Data system and other tools to identify new prospects and donor cultivation approaches.
• Create and execute fundraising strategies for individual donors.
• As assigned, write and submit philanthropic grants.
• Prepare collateral, draft gift agreements, and help prepare donor engagement and stewardship materials.
• Remain well-versed both on the proper procedures for securing and documenting gifts and on the institution’s fundraising priorities, including special opportunities within individual Colleges and departments at the University.
• Recruit, engage, and solicit members of philanthropy-oriented councils and giving societies.
• Under the leadership of the Director, integrate strategies, specific plans, resources, and timelines across Advancement and the Foundation.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITITES

• Outstanding interpersonal and public speaking skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; effectively and compellingly communicate ideas and organizational achievements, needs, and opportunities
• Highly motivated, organized, creative and flexible
• Experienced in best practices in fund development
• Demonstrate strategic thinker
• Poised, polished, and professional demeanor
• Demonstrated leadership in a team setting working with staff, Board members and other volunteers to accomplish fundraising objectives
• Ability to train volunteers in fundraising best practices
• Proficient in core computer skills including word processing, database management, spreadsheets, navigating the web and electronic communications
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks and responsibilities
• Ability to work independently, maintain self-motivation and persist in the face of challenges.
• Ability to reliably and frequently travel to meet with donors
• Experience using a donor and gift database or other type of CRM platform
• Possesses or has the ability to form a deep and genuine commitment to the University’s mission

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, and
• Two (2) years of successful experience in major gifts, outside sales, grant writing, membership or volunteer organization leadership
• Or a similar combination of skills and experience to successfully perform the duties of the position.
• Requires a valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, and
• Four (4) years of successful experience in outside sales, grant writing, membership or volunteer organization leadership; or
• Three (3) years of major gift fundraising in a University setting or a similar combination of skills and experience.