Major Gifts Officer

Gilmour Academy is an independent, Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory school in the Holy Cross tradition. The school’s mission is to develop students with the ability to see and the courage to act in creating a more humane and just society. Gilmour instills in every student a strong sense of self-worth through personal achievement and the discovery of his or her own voice.

Works closely with the Chief Advancement Officer and in collaboration with Board members, other departmental/faculty and staff members, and constituent group volunteers, the Major Gifts Officer leads the Academy’s major giving initiatives through the development/implementation of programs and strategies that identify, cultivate, track and solicit alumni, parents, and friends of Gilmour Academy to meet short and long-term development goals for the Academy. This individual is responsible for securing "major" ($25,000 and higher) gifts to fund identified campaign and/or institutional priorities. Reports to the Chief Advancement Officer.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify, cultivate and solicit major gifts prospects; work with administration, faculty, and volunteers as appropriate; meet with prospects and volunteers, traveling as necessary, manage a portfolio of no less than 100 prospects.

• Utilizing Raiser’s Edge NXT, track and report relationship management activity including identification (general), qualification (defining giving capacity), cultivation (engagement), solicitation (general), and stewardship (engagement) of prospective and current individual donors.

• Participate in moves management meetings with the fundraising team and report actions of five assigned prospects.

• Direct research requests with the Data and Prospect Research Coordinator to qualify interest and giving potential of parents, alumni, foundations, trustees, and friends of the Academy.

• Monitors all prospect contacts to ensure positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations.

• Track and report relationship management activity including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospective and current individual major donors.

• Develop, evaluate and refine plans and timetables for regional, departmental, or theme assignments.

• Assist with planning and/or directing cultivation events or programs.

• Coordinate and manage our planned giving initiatives and maintain knowledge of current tax laws, investments, and planned giving opportunities; use knowledge in prospect cultivation and solicitation as appropriate.

• Assist administrators and faculty in the recognition and prioritization of institutional and departmental funding needs; keep abreast of institutional and departmental priorities, academic programs, personalities, and events.

• Prepare and present grant requests to corporate and foundation prospects as requested.

• Prepare and present major gift proposals to individual prospects.

• Oversee the Advancement Office stewardship program, including the coordination of the drafting, editing, and mailing of accurate, informative, personalized, and timely annual stewardship reports to donors of endowed and current-use funds.

• Develop personalized stewardship plans for leadership donors with an eye toward not just thanking donors for past gifts but also cultivating them for future support.

• Assist the Communications office in editing proposals, newsletters, brochures, pamphlets and other stewardship materials as necessary; assist the Special Events Coordinator with publicity arrangements on important gifts, programs, accomplishments or events.

• Participate in regular Advancement staff and organization-wide meetings.

• Other duties as assigned by the Chief Advancement Officer.

Required knowledge, skills, traits and additional time commitment

• Bachelor’s Degree with five to seven years of successful experience in major or planned gift fundraising preferably in education. Superior knowledge of all aspects of fundraising.

• Exemplary communicator with demonstrated success serving as an intermediary between an organization and their major gift prospects, managing a variety of interactions in a highly effective manner.

• Must be a highly energetic professional, willing to power through challenges and create a successful record of building donor relationships and closing five-figure gifts.

• High comfort level with cold calls and direct donor interaction. Successful experience in managing a portfolio and developing effective cultivation and solicitation strategies.

• Interest in all aspects of education and a dedication to promoting the Academy’s fundraising priorities through development of excellent relationships with faculty, senior academic leaders, trustees, volunteers, and the advancement office team.

• Experience with fundraising database, Raiser’s Edge preferred.

• Travel as needed for cultivation and solicitation and occasional night/weekend events require attendance.

Hours and Compensation: This position’s wage/salary is commensurate with experience and includes benefits.

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel in the job. Furthermore, it does not establish a contract for employment and is subject to change at the discretion of the employer.