GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for building and managing relationships with major donor prospects capable of making gifts of $25,000 or more in support of Marywood University's priorities, including annual, capital, and endowment initiatives. The Major Gifts Officer develops and executes strategic fundraising plans to secure philanthropic support from a defined portfolio of prospects. This includes identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors on behalf of the University. The role engages a diverse constituency base, including alumni, parents, friends, and other stakeholders, with the goal of advancing the University's mission through meaningful and sustained philanthropic partnerships.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Develop and personally manage a portfolio of approximately 100-150 major gift prospects, and design and implement strategic solicitation plans that lead to significant philanthropic support. This role requires local, regional, and national travel.
- Cultivate and sustain long-term donor relationships, guided by clearly defined and appropriately ambitious fundraising metrics. Consistently meet or exceed assigned activity and revenue goals.
- For the assigned prospect portfolio, lead and execute all stages of the donor engagement cycle, including but not limited to:
- Identifying and initiating contact with prospective and current donors. This includes coordinating travel, scheduling visits, and conducting outreach to secure face-to-face meetings with benefactors. The Major Gifts Officer is expected to complete a minimum of 120 meaningful donor contacts annually, including at least 100 in-person visits.
- Develop and implement tailored donor cultivation strategies for prospective and current benefactors, in collaboration with University leadership, faculty, staff, and volunteers as appropriate. Identify and create meaningful opportunities to deepen donor engagement with the University's mission, programs, and priorities.
- Advance prospective donors through the full engagement cycle in a thoughtful and timely manner, leading toward solicitation and gift closure. Leverage both current and planned giving strategies to align philanthropic opportunities with donor interests, capacity, and intent.
- Execute comprehensive stewardship activities to ensure consistent, meaningful donor recognition, reporting, and relationship management that promotes long-term engagement and retention.
- Prepare and customize a range of development materials for assigned prospects, including funding proposals, letters of intent, gift agreements, briefing documents, and stewardship communications.
- Develop innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to donor engagement that enhance philanthropic support for the University. Collaborate closely with University Advancement colleagues, campus partners, and volunteers to design and implement effective fundraising strategies.
- Recruit, train, and support volunteer leadership and committees engaged in fundraising initiatives. Partner with the Alumni Engagement team to support constituent outreach, events, and development activities, providing assistance as needed to advance shared goals.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation of all donor interactions, communications, and activities within the CRM system (Raiser's Edge/NXT).
- Contribute to the Advancement team's annual fundraising planning process, including goal setting, strategy development, and related initiatives as requested.
- Serve as an ambassador for the University and articulate its priorities and core values. Attend University and community events/activities.
- Complete additional projects and assignments as directed in support of Advancement and University priorities.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:
- Proven experience in fundraising and in personally cultivating and soliciting prospects.
Ability to articulate the case for support. - Understanding of the needs and interests of donors to develop mutually beneficial relationships between donors and the University. Possess solid relationship-building skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving, research, project management, and written and verbal communication skills with a strong customer service donor-centered approach.
- Ability to work individually and in a team environment.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:
- Bachelor's degree required.
- Five to seven years successful fundraising experience (with demonstrated financial results).
PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master's degree preferred.
- Proven experience in corporate/foundation or individual major gift fundraising, preferably in a higher education setting.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Sitting for extended periods of time; dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard; seeing to read a variety of materials; hearing and speaking to exchange information; drive, walk, stand, and reach.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
Must have a strong commitment to the mission and goals of Marywood and the desire to assist this University in achieving these goals. Must be able to travel as needed. Must have valid driver's license. Weekends and evening work will be required.
