Major Gift Officer

Indiana Wesleyan University; Marion (IN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN seeks a Major Gift Officer to advance the university’s mission by discovering prospects, cultivating relationships, and inviting and securing major gifts. The role reports to the Executive Director of Major and Planned Gifts and operates within Central Administration, Development-Central Administration.

The Major Gift Officer will manage a portfolio of 70–90 prospects, develop personalized stewardship plans, and collaborate with IWU leaders and faculty

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to develop relationships that yield major gifts.
• Understanding of planned giving options and donor benefits.
• Strong writing, interpersonal, and public speaking skills.

Responsibilities

• Build Relationships: manage 70-90 major gift prospects and grow donor engagement.
• Strategic Fundraising: present proposals and develop stewardship plans.
• Collaborative Teamwork: meet with university leadership and staff to align strategies.
• High-Impact Hospitality and Character: maintain integrity, confidentiality, and a service mindset.

Skills

Relationship building

Major gifts fundraising

Donor cultivation

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree desired

Job description

Questions? Contact the Employee Success and Care Center (formerly HR)

Major Gift Officer

Job no: 495297
Work type: Administrative (Full Time)
Location: Marion, IN
Categories: Administrative/Professional

Reporting Relationship: Executive Director of Major and Planned Gifts

Unit: Central Administration

Department: Development-Central Administration

Summary of Position: The Major Gift Officer is at the forefront of advancing the mission to build and steward lifelong relationships that foster transformational and sustainable impact. The Major Gift Officer will discover prospects, cultivate relationships, and invite and secure financial gifts.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Build Relationships
  • Engage a portfolio of 70-90 major gift prospects for the purpose of inviting and securing major gifts
  • Build meaningful relationships with prospects and donors in the portfolio
  • Impact a culture of giving for IWU, encouraging prospects and donors to support the university’s mission and vision while fostering a sense of pride and ownership spotlighting the transformative impact of their gifts
  • Orchestrate meaning connection of prospects and donors with IWU presidents, administrators, faculty, coaches, staff, and students
• Strategic Fundraising
  • Personally present written proposals for major gifts
  • Develop and implement personalized stewardship plans for donors
  • Provide accurate information of all prospects and donor activity in Slate including contact reports, gift commitments, strategy statements, and other documentation
  • Develop and incorporate estate planning resources to assist in identifying and garnering planned gift commitments
• Collaborative Teamwork and Creative Engagement
  • Regularly meet with leadership to collaborate and strategize
  • Routinely meet with key IWU administrators, faculty, coaches and staff to build relationships, gain insights, and establish partnerships that help advance University Advancement’s strategies
  • Participate regularly and broadly in university and University Advancement events to understand the breadth and depth of an IWU education
• High-Impact Hospitality and Character
  • Serve as an IWU ambassador with a high level of integrity, authenticity, and confidentiality
  • Maintain a positive image when dealing with constituents and the university community; demonstrate a lifestyle consistent with the values and ethos of IWU
  • Exhibit IWU and University Advancement’s values of Christlikeness, commitment, leadership, service, stewardship, innovation and diversity
  • Foster a collaborative and inclusive spirit among subordinates, peers, and superiors within University Advancement and across the IWU community
  • Complete other tasks as assigned

Qualifications:According to Indiana Wesleyan University employment policy all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree; an earned master’s degree desired

Experience

• Possess three (3) years’ experience developing and securing five figures and above

Required Skills

• Demonstrate competence and productivity in developing relationships that yield major gifts
• Demonstrate an understanding of the features of various planned giving methods and their benefit to different types of donors
• Demonstrate exceptional writing, interpersonal and public speaking skills
• The successful candidate is expected to have their primary office based out of the IWU campus in Marion, IN
• They must be capable of traveling up to 50% of time, working nights and weekends as needed, to fulfill portfolio and management responsibilities and participate in major and planned gift related events
• Exhibit a vital personal relationship with Jesus Christ, embrace and articulate the mission of IWU and be in harmony with the doctrines and practices of The Wesleyan Church

IWU Kingdom Diversity Statement

IWU, in covenant with God's reconciling work and in accordance with the Biblical principles of our historic Wesleyan tradition, commits to build a community that reflects Kingdom diversity. We will foster an intentional environment for living, teaching and learning, which exhibits honor, respect, and dignity. Acknowledging visible or invisible differences, our community authentically values each member’s earthly and eternal worth. We refute ignorance and isolation and embrace deliberate and courageous engagement that exhibits Christ’s commandment to love all humankind.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

As a religious educational institution operating under the auspices of The Wesleyan Church, Indiana Wesleyan University is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees on the basis of religion (42 U.S.C., Sections 2000e-1 and 2000e-2).

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Advertised: 16 Oct 2026 US Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 22 Nov 2026 US Eastern Standard Time