Major Gift Officer

Hanover College•Hanover, MD

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Major Gift Officer is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to secure financial support from a portfolio of 150-200 donor prospects. This role involves identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts for the college from alumni, parents, and friends. The position requires independent work as well as collaboration within the College Advancement team and coordination with other college units. Key administrative responsibilities include developing and executing solicitation strategies for a caseload of major gift prospects, initiating contact with potential donors, and determining appropriate strategies for solicitation and closure. The role also involves making decisions regarding cultivation time, donor involvement, and travel, as well as assisting in long-range planning for the Individual Giving group.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education required.
Must have a driver's license.
Proven experience in major individual gift fundraising experience, preferably in higher education, and in cultivating and soliciting prospects capable of five and six-figure gifts.
Broad knowledge of the principles of fundraising – able to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle: (1) to initiate contacts with potential donors; (2) to develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them, including working with volunteers and senior college administrators; (3) to move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure; (4) to make solicitations when appropriate; (5) to maintain stewardship contacts with donors.
Understanding of the needs and interests of major donors in order to develop relationships between them and the College.
Knowledge of tax laws that impact charitable giving, personal assets and estates.
Demonstrated leadership and the ability to successfully manage multi-functional or diverse areas.
Understanding of and practice with moves management processes.
Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills required.
Problem-solving, research and analytical skills.
Solid relationship-building skills, able to interface with faculty, administrators and trustees.
Able to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate and advance strategic advancement plans.
Able to articulate the case for support so that individuals "buy in" to the vision/mission/goals and with sufficient effectiveness to secure gifts at assigned donor giving levels.
Must be able to travel around the region and to other areas of the country.
Personal belief in mission, goals and objectives of private higher education.
Integrity.
Self-motivated & self-starting.
Sophisticated.
Passionate & committed to going out and getting gifts.
Creative.
Respectful, kind.
Perseverance.
Optimism and positive attitude.
Attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

A minimum of three years in a major gifts role preferred.
Familiarity with Raisers Edge preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement strategies for securing financial support from a portfolio of donor prospects.
Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts for the college from alumni, parents, and friends.
Perform work independently and as a member of the College Advancement team.
Coordinate activities with other units in College Advancement and other units at the college.
Develop a caseload of active major gifts prospects and set and carry out strategies for solicitation.
Work independently and be self-motivated in initiating contacts with potential donors.
Work in a collegial manner with the development team in creating and implementing strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and closure.
Determine whether an individual is capable of making a major gift or special gift and devise appropriate strategies to bring this individual to solicitation and closure.
Make numerous decisions on cultivation time committed vs. expected gift response, determine who needs to be involved in the relationship with the prospective donor, and decide the most effective and productive use of travel time.
Assist in the long-range planning for the Individual Giving group.
Assume and achieve annual fundraising and activity goals.
Promote a positive image of Hanover College and represent the College in accordance with the College’s mission, principles, and strategic plan.
Support a welcoming college environment.
Perform/complete other projects and tasks assigned by the Associate Vice President of Individual Philanthropy and/or the Vice President for Advancement.