Philanthropy Officer

Department: Institutional Effectiveness, PM

Position Type: Regular

Salary: $74,000 - $84,000

About the role

This position is responsible for the solicitation of gifts primarily from individuals including friends and alumni of the university, to provide financial support for funding priorities as identified by leadership. In addition, assist when needed in soliciting corporations and foundations. Manage relationships with approximately 75-100 prospective donors and identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward these very important alumni and friends of BSU. Meet established financial goals set for each fiscal year. Manage a portfolio, with a set number of yearly and monthly solicitations, and engagement activities (i.e., visits, phone calls, proposals, etc.) with qualified prospects.

Responsibilities

• Identify and understand the needs and interests of major gift donors in order to develop relationships between them and BSU.
• Make cold calls, develop cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure.
• Maintain stewardship contacts with donors, adhering to the highest ethical standards.
• Demonstrate an empathetic disposition, perseverance, an optimistic and positive attitude, and convey sensitivity to the needs of donors.
• Work collaboratively with fellow advancement team members, volunteers, and other university representatives to cultivate and solicit donors for institution-wide priorities.
• Maintain an interest in all aspects of education and a dedication to promoting BSU fundraising priorities by developing excellent relationships with faculty, senior academic leaders, volunteers, and the advancement office team.
• Ensure that all donors’ records and interactions are well documented and updated in the donor database.
• Demonstrated leadership and the ability to successfully manage multi-functional or diverse areas.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated record of completing assignments.
• Proven ability and drive to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
• Track record of building strong donor relationships and closing major gifts.
• Demonstrated ability to participate meaningfully and creatively in goal setting, long- and short-term strategic planning, and problem solving.
• Excellent oral, written communication, and organizational skills.
• Negotiation, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• High degree of integrity, initiative, and professionalism as well as sound judgment.
• Self-starter with a resourceful and entrepreneurial spirit and an ability to act decisively.
• Ability and willingness to work outside of standard business hours, including some weekends and evenings, and to travel on occasion.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of three years of demonstrated progressive success in major gift and/or planned giving fundraising, preferably in higher education.
• Adherence to the Code of Ethical Principles of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
• Highly energetic professional with a track record of building donor relationships and closing gifts in the six-figure range.
• Ability to understand the needs and interests of major gift donors in order to develop relationships between them and strategic priorities.
• Dedication to promoting the university's fundraising through collaboration with faculty, senior academic leaders, volunteers, and the Philanthropic Engagement team.
• Experience with fundraising campaigns.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated record of completing assignments and managing competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability and drive to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
• Track record of building strong donor relationships and closing major gifts.
• Demonstrated ability to participate meaningfully and creatively in goal setting, long- and short-term strategic planning, and problem solving.
• Excellent oral, written communication, and organizational skills.
• Negotiation, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• High degree of integrity, initiative, and professionalism as well as sound judgment.
• Self-starter with a resourceful and entrepreneurial spirit and an ability to act decisively.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and prescription insurance.
• Long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance.
• Paid time for sick leave, annual leave, and personal leave.
• 12 paid holidays per year.
• Tuition remission.
• Employer-funded pension and supplemental retirement accounts.