Major Gift Officer

About the Role

The Major Gift Officer serves as a frontline fundraising professional responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding alumni, friends, corporations, foundations, and community partners in support of Lincoln University's mission. Reporting to the Executive Director for Advancement, the Major Gift Officer manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors and works collaboratively with university leadership, faculty, staff, volunteers, alumni, and community stakeholders to advance philanthropic support for institutional priorities.

The successful candidate will be a relationship-builder who is passionate about student success, educational access, and the historic mission of Lincoln University. This position plays a critical role in strengthening the university's culture of philanthropy and increasing private support for scholarships, academic programs, student success initiatives, athletics, capital projects, and other strategic priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage and actively engage a portfolio of 100–150 major gift prospects and donors.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Conduct personal visits with alumni, donors, corporations, foundations, and community stakeholders.
• Solicit major gifts in support of scholarships, academic programs, student success initiatives, athletics, capital projects, and endowment growth.
• Prepare gift proposals, stewardship reports, donor correspondence, and fundraising materials.
• Maintain regular communication with donors and prospects to ensure meaningful engagement.
• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects through research, referrals, engagement activities, and relationship building efforts.
• Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, and activity documentation.
• Collaborate with advancement leadership to develop prospect strategies and pipeline goals.
• Assist in developing long-term cultivation plans for leadership and major gift prospects.
• Monitor prospect movement through the fundraising cycle and recommend appropriate next steps.
• Participate in alumni outreach and engagement activities.
• Assist with donor recognition programs and stewardship initiatives.
• Represent the university at community, alumni, donor, and foundation events.
• Support Homecoming, reunion programs, and other institutional engagement activities.
• Foster strong relationships with alumni volunteers, donors, and community advocates.
• Work closely with academic and administrative leaders to identify funding priorities.
• Assist university leadership in preparing for donor visits and solicitations.
• Support campaign initiatives and strategic fundraising priorities.
• Collaborate with advancement services, alumni relations, and communications staff.

Requirements

• Conduct a minimum of 100 meaningful donor visits annually.
• Maintain an active and qualified major gift portfolio.
• Meet established fundraising, activity, and engagement goals.
• Develop and advance a strong pipeline of future major gift donors.
• Demonstrate measurable progress toward annual fundraising objectives.

Skills

• Relationship Building
• Strategic Thinking
• Communication and Presentation Skills
• Initiative and Self-Motivation
• Donor-Centered Fundraising
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Cultural Awareness and Inclusivity
• Professionalism and Integrity

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of three years of experience in fundraising, sales, business development, community relations, higher education, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education fundraising or nonprofit development.
• Experience securing major gifts, grants, sponsorships, or philanthropic support.
• Familiarity with Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT or similar donor management systems.
• Knowledge of planned giving principles and donor stewardship practices.
• Experience working with alumni, volunteers, boards, foundations, or community organizations.
• Understanding of HBCU culture, mission-driven philanthropy, and alumni engagement.

Physical Demands

• Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment.
• Requires the ability to operate standard office equipment, including a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other common workplace tools.
• Requires the ability to communicate effectively to exchange accurate information in person, virtually, and in writing.
• May involve remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time while working at a desk or computer.
• May occasionally require moving about the office or campus to attend meetings, events, or operational activities.
• May involve moving light materials such as files, documents, presentation materials, or office supplies.
• May require the ability to attend meetings or events on campus outside of standard business hours as operational needs arise.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made in accordance with applicable laws to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Success in the First Year

• Build and manage an active portfolio of qualified prospects.
• Establish meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, and community stakeholders.
• Increase donor engagement and major gift activity.
• Contribute to annual fundraising goals and advancement priorities.
• Strengthen the university's culture of philanthropy through proactive outreach, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.