Major Gifts Officer
Bethany College | Bethany, West Virginia
Position Summary
Bethany College seeks a dynamic, relationship-driven Major Gifts Officer to join the Advancement team and help grow philanthropic support for the College’s mission and strategic priorities. Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, the Major Gifts Officer will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni, parents, corporations and friends capable of making major gifts in support of Bethany College.
This position plays a key role in strengthening the College’s culture of philanthropy, expanding the base of support, and deepening meaningful relationships with donors and prospects. The Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of qualified prospects and work collaboratively with College leadership, faculty, staff, and volunteers to secure philanthropic investments for scholarships, academic programs, capital priorities, athletics, and the Bethany Fund.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, with a focus on developing, advancing, and closing gifts at the major gift level.
- Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni, parents, foundations, and friends of the College.
- Develop and execute individualized strategies for assigned prospects, including personal visits, proposal development, and stewardship plans.
- Conduct a significant number of in-person and virtual donor visits each month, with regular travel required.
- Build strong, authentic relationships with constituents to deepen engagement and inspire philanthropic support.
- Partner with the Vice President for Advancement, President, trustees, faculty, coaches, and other campus leaders on donor strategy and key solicitations.
- Prepare gift proposals, correspondence, contact reports, and stewardship materials in a timely and professional manner.
- Help identify planned giving opportunities and partner with advancement colleagues as appropriate.
- Maintain accurate and current prospect records, strategies, and activity reports in the College’s donor database.
- Participate in Advancement events, alumni engagement activities, donor recognition opportunities, and other College events as needed.
- Support campaign, annual fund, and special fundraising initiatives as assigned.
- Contribute to a collaborative, donor-centered Advancement culture focused on results, responsiveness, and relationship building.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Minimum of 3–5 years of progressively responsible fundraising, sales, business development, relationship management, or comparable experience preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to build trust and move relationships toward meaningful outcomes.
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with colleagues and campus partners.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Comfort with donor databases/CRMs and prospect management systems.
- Willingness to travel regularly and work occasional evenings and weekends.
- Commitment to the mission and values of Bethany College.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in higher education advancement or nonprofit fundraising.
- Experience soliciting and closing five- and six-figure gifts.
- Familiarity with planned giving concepts and donor stewardship best practices.
- Experience working with alumni, volunteers, or boards.
- Knowledge of Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar fundraising software.
Performance Expectations
Success in this role will be measured by progress in building and advancing a qualified portfolio of prospects, completing strategic donor visits, submitting proposals, securing major gifts, and contributing to the overall fundraising goals of Bethany College.
Work Environment
This position is based at Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia, with significant travel for donor visits and regional engagement. Evening and weekend work will occasionally be required.
About Bethany College
Bethany College is a nationally recognized liberal arts college founded in 1840 and rooted in a mission of teaching and learning in an atmosphere of study, work, and service. Bethany prepares students for lives of leadership, service, and meaningful contribution through a rigorous and personal educational experience.