Major Gifts Officer

About the Organization

Join a mission-driven organization where your work will have a lasting impact on students, faculty, and the future of higher education. The Shippensburg University Foundation is the private fundraising partner of Shippensburg University, a nationally recognized public university serving more than 5,000 students. Through the generosity of alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations, the SU Foundation provides scholarships, supports innovative academic programs, enhances campus facilities, and helps create opportunities that transform lives. Fiscal Year 2025-2026 was one of the strongest years in the SU Foundation’s history.

Located in the scenic Cumberland Valley of south-central Pennsylvania, Shippensburg offers an exceptional quality of life with easy access to Harrisburg, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. This position offers the opportunity to work with passionate colleagues, engaged volunteers, and generous donors while helping advance one of Pennsylvania's outstanding public universities.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors using a donor-centered moves management approach.
• Develop individualized engagement strategies, conduct regular donor visits, and secure philanthropic support aligned with donors' interests and University priorities.
• Work closely with college deans, academic leaders, and Foundation colleagues to develop fundraising strategies and advance priorities across the University.
• Support the SU Foundation's comprehensive fundraising efforts, including annual giving, planned giving, capital initiatives, and corporate and foundation relations.
• Manage 100-150 prospects and meet annual fundraising goals.
• Travel approximately 40-60% of the time, primarily throughout the region with some out-of-state travel, to conduct face-to-face donor visits and represent the SU Foundation at events (primarily day trips, with occasional overnight travel).
• Attend evening and weekend University, alumni, and community events as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Three to five years of professional experience in major gifts, fundraising, development, sales, business development, wealth management, or another relationship-focused field with a demonstrated ability to cultivate partnerships and achieve measurable results.
• Previous higher education or nonprofit fundraising experience is preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to build lasting relationships with donors, volunteers, and campus partners.
• This is an on-site position requiring regular travel throughout the region and beyond to meet with donors and prospects.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation are required.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Health insurance.
• TIAA retirement plan.

Pay

$60,000 - $85,000 per year