Philanthropy Officer/Senior Philanthropy Officer (2 openings)

Elmhurst University•Elmhurst, IL

7h•$75,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Philanthropy Officer/Senior Philanthropy Officer is a direct fundraiser responsible for advancing meaningful relationships with donors, developing tailored engagement and solicitation strategies, and securing philanthropic commitments for scholarships, academic programs, capital projects, and other University priorities. The position manages a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of making major gifts of $10,000 or more and develops individualized strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward philanthropic support. The position collaborates with advancement colleagues, University leadership, and campus partners to strengthen the donor pipeline and advance the University’s mission. The Senior Philanthropy Officer is distinguished by demonstrated success managing a major or planned gift portfolio and greater independence in developing and executing complex donor strategies.

Requirements

Philanthropy Officer: Bachelor’s degree.
Philanthropy Officer: Minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible fundraising or related experience, with demonstrated experience building donor relationships. Major gift fundraising experience preferred.
Philanthropy Officer: Ability to manage a portfolio of relationships, move donors or prospects toward increased engagement and philanthropic support, and consistently execute follow up and next steps.
Senior Philanthropy Officer: Bachelor’s degree.
Senior Philanthropy Officer: Minimum of 5 years of proven major gift fundraising experience, preferably in higher education.
Senior Philanthropy Officer: Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing major or planned gifts.
Senior Philanthropy Officer: Demonstrated ability to independently manage a major gift portfolio and develop sophisticated donor strategies.
Senior Philanthropy Officer: Experience working effectively with senior leaders and other partners in donor cultivation and solicitation.
Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse donor constituencies.
Knowledge of donor stewardship strategies and moves management systems.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, fundraising CRMs (such as Raiser’s Edge NXT), and prospect management tools.
Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
Willingness to travel and engage in evening and weekend donor activities as needed.

Nice To Haves

Belief in and the ability to represent the Elmhurst University mission and core values.
Experience in higher education or large nonprofit fundraising or comprehensive campaign environments.
Experience collaborating with academic leaders, volunteers, and institutional leadership in fundraising efforts.
Understanding of donor pipeline development strategies.

Responsibilities

Manages a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects with the capacity to make gifts of $10,000 or more, ensuring consistent cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and pipeline development activities.
Conducts in-person visits, virtual meetings, phone calls, and written communications to build and sustain meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, parents, and friends of the University.
Builds and maintains a robust major gift pipeline through prospect identification, qualification, referrals, data-informed prospecting, and engagement activities.
Advances prospects through the fundraising cycle and achieves annual fundraising, donor contact, and portfolio activity goals established by the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
Prepares donor briefings, gift proposals, solicitation strategies, meeting materials, and other communications that support cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts in collaboration with advancement leadership and campus partners.
Collaborates with colleagues across the Office of Institutional Advancement and key University leaders, faculty, athletics, and student affairs to coordinate prospect strategies, fundraising initiatives, and donor engagement opportunities.
Maintains consistent and proactive communication with donors and prospects, including timely follow-up on inquiries, meetings, gift acknowledgments, and stewardship activities.
Maintains accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation of prospect activity, strategies, and outcomes in the University's CRM system, Raiser’s Edge NXT.
Initiates and facilitates conversations regarding planned giving opportunities with portfolio and non-portfolio donors, as appropriate.
Participates in advancement events, donor engagement activities, and University programs, including evenings and weekends as needed.
Supports campaign initiatives and other strategic fundraising priorities as assigned.
Represents Elmhurst University professionally with alumni, donors, community partners, and other external stakeholders and maintains current knowledge of institutional priorities, goals, and initiatives.
Supports mission, vision and values of Elmhurst University.
Demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement.
Performs other duties and completes special projects as assigned.