Development Officer

Cornell College•Mt Vernon, IA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Development Officer reports to the Senior Director of Development and serves as a key frontline gift officer for the development team. This position oversees a portfolio of 150-200 major gift prospects among alumni, parents, and friends in designated geographic regions, securing gifts, pledges, and planned giving commitments to forward the college’s priorities. The role involves managing a major gift portfolio, developing and implementing cultivation and solicitation strategies, traveling for face-to-face meetings, documenting interactions, contributing to prospect management meetings, participating in events, and collaborating with campus partners. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
2-5 years of relevant experience, preferably in higher education fundraising.
Ability and willingness to travel.
Valid driver's license and insurability for travel.
Demonstrated understanding of the liberal arts education.
Proficiency in Microsoft applications: Google Suite and relevant organizational software.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, contributing to a collaborative environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in face-to-face fundraising or sales is preferred.

Responsibilities

Manages a major gift portfolio of approximately 125-150 prospects and donors who can make a gift of $50,000 or greater.
Develops and implements strategies for cultivating and soliciting prospects, including outright gifts, pledges, and planned gifts.
Travels to assigned geographic regions, making an average of 12 monthly face-to-face meetings.
Initiates regular prospect meetings, sets up appointments and travel schedules, and maintains timely follow-up and stewardship with prospects and donors.
Documents all interactions in contact reports within 10 days of each visit.
Contributes actively to prospect management meetings, discussing strategies and solutions to advance prospective donors.
Participates in class reunions, alumni events, Homecoming weekend, and additional fundraising events as needed.
Works with campus partners across the college to coordinate or support major gift fundraising and solicitations.
Performs other duties as assigned.