POSITION TITLE(S): Philanthropy Officer/Senior Philanthropy
Officer (2 openings)
Title commensurate with experience and
demonstrated fundraising success.
Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the
Philanthropy Officer/Senior Philanthropy Officer is a direct
fundraiser responsible for advancing meaningful relationships with
donors, developing tailored engagement and solicitation strategies,
and securing philanthropic commitments for scholarships, academic
programs, capital projects, and other University priorities. The
position manages a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of
making major gifts of $10,000 or more and develops individualized
strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward
philanthropic support. The position collaborates with advancement
colleagues, University leadership, and campus partners to
strengthen the donor pipeline and advance the University’s mission.
The Senior Philanthropy Officer is distinguished by demonstrated
success managing a major or planned gift portfolio and greater
independence in developing and executing complex donor
strategies.
Position Status: Exempt
Reporting Relationship(s): Vice President for Institutional
Advancement
Salary Range: Philanthropy Officer: $75,000-$80,000. Senior
Philanthropy Officer: $85,000-$90,000. These are the expected
salary ranges for these positions. Appointment level and actual
salary offered will depend on a candidate's experience and
education, and departmental budget.
Responsibilities
- Manages a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects with the
capacity to make gifts of $10,000 or more, ensuring consistent
cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and pipeline development
activities.
Conducts in-person visits, virtual meetings, phone calls, and
written communications to build and sustain meaningful
relationships with alumni, donors, parents, and friends of the
University.
Builds and maintains a robust major gift pipeline through
prospect identification, qualification, referrals, data-informed
prospecting, and engagement activities.
Advances prospects through the fundraising cycle and achieves
annual fundraising, donor contact, and portfolio activity goals
established by the Vice President for Institutional
Advancement.
Prepares donor briefings, gift proposals, solicitation
strategies, meeting materials, and other communications that
support cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts in
collaboration with advancement leadership and campus partners.
Collaborates with colleagues across the Office of Institutional
Advancement and key University leaders, faculty, athletics, and
student affairs to coordinate prospect strategies, fundraising
initiatives, and donor engagement opportunities.
Maintains consistent and proactive communication with donors
and prospects, including timely follow-up on inquiries, meetings,
gift acknowledgments, and stewardship activities.
Maintains accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation of
prospect activity, strategies, and outcomes in the University's CRM
system, Raiser’s Edge NXT.
Initiates and facilitates conversations regarding planned
giving opportunities with portfolio and non-portfolio donors, as
appropriate.
Participates in advancement events, donor engagement
activities, and University programs, including evenings and
weekends as needed.
Supports campaign initiatives and other strategic fundraising
priorities as assigned.
Represents Elmhurst University professionally with alumni,
donors, community partners, and other external stakeholders and
maintains current knowledge of institutional priorities, goals, and
initiatives.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supports mission, vision and values of Elmhurst
University.
- Demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous
improvement.
- Performs other duties and completes special projects as
assigned.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
Philanthropy Officer
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible fundraising or
related experience, with demonstrated experience building donor
relationships. Major gift fundraising experience preferred.
- Ability to manage a portfolio of relationships, move donors or
prospects toward increased engagement and philanthropic support,
and consistently execute follow up and next steps.
Senior Philanthropy Officer
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Minimum of 5 years of proven major gift fundraising experience,
preferably in higher education.
- Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing
major or planned gifts.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage a major gift
portfolio and develop sophisticated donor strategies.
- Experience working effectively with senior leaders and other
partners in donor cultivation and solicitation.
Both Levels
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills,
with the ability to engage diverse donor constituencies.
- Knowledge of donor stewardship strategies and moves management
systems.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, fundraising CRMs (such as
Raiser’s Edge NXT), and prospect management tools.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the
ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a
team-oriented environment.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise
sound judgment.
- Willingness to travel and engage in evening and weekend donor
activities as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
- Belief in and the ability to represent the Elmhurst University
mission and core values.
- Experience in higher education or large nonprofit fundraising
or comprehensive campaign environments.
- Experience collaborating with academic leaders, volunteers, and
institutional leadership in fundraising efforts.
- Understanding of donor pipeline development strategies.
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements
The essential
functions of this position are primarily performed in an indoor
setting with limited exposure to outdoor weather conditions. Work
is often sedentary in nature and requires remaining in a stationary
position for extended periods. Required abilities include speaking
and hearing for in-person and virtual communication, using close
and distance vision when reading documents or viewing screens, and
performing tasks with repetitive fine motor skills. Work may
require occasional lifting, bending, carrying, or otherwise moving
objects weighing up to 15 pounds. Qualified applicants who can
perform the essential functions of this position with or without
reasonable accommodations will be considered.
Benefits
An overview of Elmhurst University benefits is available
here
.
Please submit cover letter, resume, and three references with
contact information with online application. The references should
include name, phone number and email.
