Major Gifts Officer

Gallaudet University•Washington, DC

2d•$85,095 - $113,425

About The Position

The Major Gifts Officer plans, initiates, and manages activities to secure gifts from individual major donors, reporting to the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement. The position consults on annual fundraising goals and develops strategies for a portfolio that includes corporations, foundations, and individuals, aligning private support with Gallaudet’s Strategic Plan. The officer identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards prospects; leads the university’s legacy gifts program and the Abraham Lincoln Society; and serves as the department’s subject matter expert on planned giving. The role also stewards executive and campus leadership, leads campus visits, coordinates planned-gift paperwork and compliance with the finance office and vendors, and prepares solicitation proposals, reports, acknowledgements, and donor-visit briefings. Additional duties include forecasting annual major-gift goals, advising on donor engagement, organizing donor events, presenting to major-gift constituencies, managing some sponsorship opportunities, and conducting prospect visits and other actions toward solicitation. The position is expected to maintain supportive working relationships, participate in belonging and learning activities, comply with annual Title IX training and reporting responsibilities, and prioritize workplace safety. Related duties may be assigned. This is a revenue-funded position. The successful candidate must clear a background check before working at Gallaudet University.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least four years of professional experience in fundraising, marketing and communication, or a related field.
Ability to communicate in American Sign Language.
Strong writing and organizational skills.
Strong knowledge of Gallaudet and the Deaf community.
Strong skills with basic data-management systems and computer applications such as Word and Excel.
Ability to synthesize and articulate university priorities and match them with major donors’ and prospects’ values and interests.
Willingness to understand and promote Gallaudet University’s mission, philosophy, and vision.
Demonstrated experience soliciting and acquiring planned gifts.
Demonstrated experience with face-to-face solicitation of meaningful gifts and familiarity with major-gift cultivation.
Demonstrated experience closing gifts of five figures or more.
Demonstrated ability to work across university departments and with outside constituents and groups.
Ability to clear a background check before beginning work.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a higher education setting.

Responsibilities

Consult on annual fundraising goals and establish strategies and activities for a major-donor portfolio aligned with Gallaudet’s priorities and Strategic Plan.
Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects, moving them through the investment cycle.
Lead the university’s legacy-gifts program, including oversight of the Abraham Lincoln Society, and serve as the department’s planned-giving subject matter expert.
Steward the executive team and other campus leadership members.
Lead campus visits and help ensure a positive, high-quality experience for visiting constituents.
Liaise with the finance office and vendors to execute planned-gift paperwork and compliance requirements.
Write solicitation proposals, reports, and stewardship materials.
Identify and qualify new major donors, develop giving prospects, and maintain prospects in the pipeline.
Act as a liaison to the campus community to support appropriate stewardship of major-donor relationships.
Forecast and set annual department goals for securing major gifts.
Develop engagement strategies for prospective and current major donors and advise colleagues on strategic engagement as needed.
Lead the organization of special engagement events for major donors and prospects as needed.
Present to major-gift constituencies about Gallaudet, its private-support needs, and related topics.
Manage some university sponsorship opportunities with guidance from the Executive Director.
Conduct personal visits and substantive prospect actions toward solicitation, in cooperation with the Executive Director and in line with annual expectations.
Prepare timely donor acknowledgement letters, including letters for the Executive Director and President as needed.
Prepare donor-visit briefing materials, including materials for the Executive Director and President as necessary.
Maintain positive and supportive working relationships with coworkers and supervisors.
Participate in activities and workshops that foster belonging and continuous learning.
Serve as a mandatory Title IX reporter and complete annual Title IX training and other compliance requirements.
Follow workplace safety procedures, promptly report hazards or incidents, and help foster a culture of safety.
Perform related and other duties as needed.