SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Major Gifts and Foundation Relations Officer is critical in the University's development and fundraising efforts through a commitment to its mission and values. This position is responsible for securing major gifts from individual donors and cultivating and stewarding relationships with foundations. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, strategic thinking, and a proven track record of successful fundraising initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Major Gifts:

Maintain a donor portfolio of approximately 75 individual major gift prospects and 75 foundations.
Secure planned and outright major gifts of $5,000 or more, with an emphasis on gifts of $25,000 or more (can be pledged over 5 years).
Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects and donors, including alumni, parents, and friends of the University.
Develop and execute personalized cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies for individual donors based on their interests, capacity, and philanthropic priorities ensuring ongoing engagement and recognition.
Collaborate with university leadership, development colleagues, and volunteers to engage donors and solicit major gifts.
Maintain accurate and detailed records of donor interactions and progress in the University's donor management system.
Participate in prospect management meetings to review progress, assess opportunities, and strategize next steps.
Stay informed about trends and best practices in foundation relations, major gifts, and higher education fundraising.
Collaborate with colleagues across the University to maximize fundraising opportunities and ensure alignment with institutional priorities.
Work with Advancement Services staff to use the donor database, Raiser's Edge; Wealth Engine, NXT, and other resources to help identify and develop appropriate plans and proposals for donors capable of major gifts.
Attend stewardship and fundraising events.

Foundations Relations:

Develops strategy and directs a comprehensive fundraising plan for corporate and foundation giving to Schreiner University.
Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of foundation funding priorities, guidelines, and application processes.
Coordinate and manage annual, endowment, and capital fundraising programs and activities related to public, private, and corporate foundations.
Coordinate and participate in visits to foundation offices and site visits by foundation trustees and grant officers to establish a personal and working knowledge of specific foundations' issues, interests, and policies.
Manage the relationships with foundations from assessment to solicitation and stewardship.
Serve as the primary grant writer for all foundation grant proposals submitted by Schreiner University and work closely with faculty and administrators to conceptualize, define, and write or edit requests for support.
Match and coordinate approaches to foundations by working with the Director of Development and other Schreiner representatives using the University's priorities as a guide.
Support government grant proposals as requested by faculty or other representatives of Schreiner. Quality assurance factors include proper representation of Schreiner and its programs, approval of projects based on university priorities, appropriate ask level, valid and accurate documentation of need and supporting materials, and adherence to proposal submission guidelines.
Prepare and provide required reports to foundations; work with faculty to deliver reports and metrics necessary for faculty-related funding projects.
Enter proposal information in the constituent record via the Prospect Module and use the donor database system to track proposals submitted, funded, declined, and capture other pertinent proposal information.
Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Bachelor’s degree required. Major in English, communications, public relations, or similar preferred.
Demonstrated experience closing gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
A minimum of three years of successful work experience in professional fundraising and grant writing.
Experience in higher education preferred.
Excellent verbal, visual, and written communication skills.
Well-organized, methodical, systematic, and critical thinker who can successfully handle competing priorities and manage projects.
Ability to problem solve and navigate and lead through complexity; effectively leverages data effectively for strategic decision making.
Ability to travel overnight, and work weekends and evenings when necessary.
Ability to work with and motivate a broad spectrum of people including foundation executives and trustees, volunteers, faculty, staff, and administrative members.
Working knowledge of the psychology, principles, and techniques of gift solicitation with an emphasis on foundation and corporate solicitation.
Proficient in grant writing and understanding the process of foundation research, cultivation, and solicitation.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office systems including Office 365, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, etc.
Knowledge of database management software, and CRM such as Raiser’s Edge is desired.
Must have a valid Texas driver’s license, related insurance, and a good driving record

Schreiner University

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Major Gifts and Foundation Relations Officer