Individual Giving Officer

Lafayette College; Easton (Northampton County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Lafayette College seeks an Individual Giving Officer to advance philanthropic support through personalized engagement with alumni, families and friends. The role manages a portfolio of 150–200 prospects, conducts 120 engagements annually, and builds solicitation plans for gifts of $50,000+.

It leverages Ellucian CRM Advance and works with campus partners to drive Lafayette's fundraising priorities. Travel, evenings and weekends are required; a bachelor’s degree and 3–5 years in higher education

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; preference for advancement, communications, sales or public relations.
• 3–5 years of face-to-face relationship building in higher education or nonprofit settings.
• Proven success in fundraising and securing gifts of $50,000 or more.
• Strong donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship knowledge.
• Proficiency in prospect research and fundraising software/tools.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 150–200 alumni, families and friends with varied prospects.
• Conduct at least 120 in-person engagements per year to cultivate and solicit donors.
• Develop and execute engagement plans aligned to capital campaign goals.
• Support a diverse volunteer leadership pipeline and campus partnerships.
• Use Ellucian CRM Advance to tailor prospect engagement and plans.
• Prepare briefing documents and steward assigned donors annually.
• Coordinate travel logistics and expense reporting; attend events as needed.
• Engage with Lafayette College community and alumni events related to responsibilities.
• Participate in ongoing fundraising and professional training opportunities.
• Collaborate with Gift Planning, Annual Fund, Leadership Councils and other teams to expand the College footprint.

Skills

Relationship building

Face-to-face fundraising

Donor cultivation

Communication skills

Strategic planning

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Ellucian CRM Advance

Job description

Individual Giving Officer

Location: Easton, PA

Open Date: Nov 02, 2026

The Individual Giving Officer will report to the Director of Individual Giving and play a critical role in raising philanthropic resources in support of Lafayette College's strategic direction as outlined by the Board of Trustees and College leadership. In preparation for and execution of an upcoming comprehensive capital campaign, the position will focus on engaging and reconnecting alumni, family, and friends to the College through personal, professional, and philanthropic involvement. The ideal candidate would understand the importance of working within a flexible work environment, committing to a balance of significant travel, on campus responsibilities, and remote work.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 150 to 200 alumni, families and friends, composed of both regionally and affinity-based prospects.
• Conduct at least 120 meaningful engagements/visits in-person per year and develop strategies with the purposes of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding an assigned portfolio of donors at the $50,000 level and above.
• Exhibit a commitment to strengthening existing institutional relationships with an enhanced focus on establishing new relationships with respect to donors and volunteers through a comprehensive engagement, qualification, and solicitation plan.
• Assist in the development of a diverse, robust volunteer leadership pipeline.
• Utilizing Ellucian CRM Advance, develop and maintain individualized prospect engagement and solicitation plans based on individual interests in alignment with college fundraising priorities.
• Create detailed cultivation/solicitation/stewardship plans for assigned prospects and donors each year and prepare briefing documents when needed.
• Effectively manage travel logistics and expense reporting.
• Actively engage in the College community, attending and supporting appropriate alumni and donor engagement events related to assigned responsibilities.
• Participate in departmental and professional training programs to increase expertise in the profession.
• Work closely with the Office of Gift Planning, Annual Fund, Parents Program, Leadership Councils, Alumni and Family Engagement, Research, Donor Relations, and Advancement Operations teams to drive fundraising efforts and establish engagement strategies designed to expand Lafayette's footprint throughout the country.
• Establish strong, working relationships with key campus partners (College senior staff, faculty, Athletic Department staff, Gateway, Academic areas, etc.) serving as a primary development liaison when necessary.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree is required, with preference given to background or relevant experience in advancement, strategic communications, sales, or public relations.
• Minimum of three to five years of successful face-to-face relationship building experience, with a focus on individual gifts, preferably in higher education or a related nonprofit environment.
• A record of accomplishment of success in fundraising, financial services, marketing/sales, educational management or other directly related advancement or development area.
• Demonstrated track record of success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing individual gifts of $50,000 or more.
• Strong understanding of fundraising principles, techniques, and best practices, including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences, and inspire donors, volunteers, and colleagues.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies and plans.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
• Willingness to travel extensively and be present for evening and weekend obligations, as necessary.
• Proficiency in prospect research, database management, and fundraising software/tools.
• Commitment to the mission and values of the College and the advancement of higher education.

Lafayette College does not discriminate, or permit discrimination, on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, religion, age, military or veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or familial status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law in any educational programs and activities it operates, including admissions or employment, as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 (which requires that the College not discriminate on the basis of sex); the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (which require that the College not discriminate on the basis of disability); Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (which requires that the College not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin); Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (which requires that the College not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin); the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (which requires that the College not discriminate on the basis of age); and other applicable laws and College policies. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Director of Educational Equity/Title IX Coordinator. Copies of relevant policies and procedures can be found at https://sash.lafayette.edu/policies-laws/.