Major Gifts & Alumni Relations Officer

SD Mines Center for Alumni Relations; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Job summary

The South Dakota Mines Center for Alumni Relations and Advancement (CARA) seeks a Development Officer to increase philanthropic support for South Dakota Mines by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors—through a relationship‑oriented approach to secure gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Philanthropy, you will collaborate with CARA staff, manage donor relations, and help advance fundraising initiatives while

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree plus one to two years of fundraising, alumni relations, sales, marketing, or external relations and engagement.
• Ability to speak and write persuasively.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles and donor motivation.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with prospective donors to support fundraising initiatives at South Dakota Mines.
• Manage a portfolio of leadership and major donors and prospects across key regions.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift prospects including corporate and planned gifts.
• Record key actions in the donor database and use them to maximize relationships.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff on donor options and trends in development.
• Assist CARA in achieving goals and participate in boards and committees as needed.

Skills

Relationship building

Persuasive communication

Fundraising

Donor engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Raiser’s Edge/NXT

Job description

The South Dakota Mines Center for Alumni Relations and Advancement (CARA) seeks a Development Officer to increase philanthropic support for South Dakota Mines by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors—through a relationship‑oriented approach to secure gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Philanthropy, you will collaborate with CARA staff, manage donor relations, and help advance fundraising initiatives while