Major Gifts Officer

Chippewa Valley Technical College; Eau Claire (WI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to lead fundraising initiatives and build strong relationships with donors. This role is pivotal in securing significant contributions that align with the institution's strategic priorities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in donor engagement, excellent communication skills, and the ability to analyze philanthropic capacity. With generous paid time off and a comprehensive benefits package, this is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community while advancing your career in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Paid Time Off

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Retirement Plan

Paid Volunteer Time

Professional Development

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness Incentive

Qualifications

• 3 years of development experience and/or direct solicitation experience required.
• Ability to analyze wealth data and determine philanthropic capacity.
• Proficient knowledge of technology for communication and data collection.

Responsibilities

• Identify and engage potential major gift donors, crafting personalized proposals.
• Build and maintain long-term relationships with donors to align interests.
• Organize donor-focused events to foster engagement and inspire contributions.

Skills

Management Skills

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Data Analysis

Problem Solving

Critical Thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management

Bachelor's degree in Marketing

Tools

Microsoft Office Outlook

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

College Database Systems

Job description

Major Gifts Officer

Location

US-WI-Eau Claire

Posting #

2025-1984

Category

Staff

Close Date

6/1/2025

Type

Full-Time

FLSA Status

Exempt

Hourly Pay Rate/Salary

Starting annual salary of $55,619 - $69,617. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications.

Hours per Week

Full-time

Work Schedule

Salaried position

Anticipated Start Date

As soon as possible

Overview and Responsibilities

ALMOST 8 WEEKS OF PAID TIME OFF ANNUALLY! Plus: sick leave, Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), tuition reimbursement, health insurance with employer HSA contribution, dental and vision insurance, and more! See benefits summary below.

The Major Gift Officer plays a pivotal role in driving the College's fundraising initiatives. This position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding significant contributions from donors, aligning with the institution's strategic priorities. The officer will actively expand and manage a portfolio of high-potential individual, corporate, and foundation donors while fostering lasting relationships to ensure sustained support for the College's mission.

Responsibilities:

Donor Identification and Engagement: Research and identify individuals, corporations, and foundations with the capacity to make major gifts (often $25,000 or more). Crafting personalized messages, emails, and proposals to connect with donors and articulate the College's mission and funding needs.
• Relationship Building: Develop and maintain strong, long-term relationships with donors, understanding their philanthropic interests and aligning them with the College's funding priorities. Building trust and rapport with donors through active listening, empathy, and clear communication.
• Solicitation and Speaking: Prepare and present tailored proposals to prospective donors, aiming to secure significant contributions for scholarships, programs, or capital projects. Represent the College at events, meetings, and presentations to engage potential donors and stakeholders.
• Stewardship: Ensure donors are thanked and kept informed about the impact of their gifts through regular updates, reports, and recognition events.
• Collaboration: Work closely with faculty, staff, and leadership to identify funding needs and coordinate fundraising efforts.
• Event Management: Organize donor-focused events, such as galas, outings, or tours to foster engagement and inspire potential contributors.
• Data Management: Maintain accurate records of donor interactions and track progress toward fundraising goals using specialized software.
• Collaboration: Coordinating with internal teams, such as faculty and staff, to ensure consistent messaging and alignment in fundraising efforts.
• Follow-Up: Maintaining regular communication with donors to express gratitude, provide updates, and strengthen relationships.
• Think critically, strategically, and creatively about the tasks and progress of the College's development efforts.
• Contribute to the team's efforts to meet engagement, financial and participation goals.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent management, organization, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to analyze wealth data and determine philanthropic capacity.
• Ability to model integrity through self-awareness, personal accountability, ethical behavior, quality standards, and sustainable practices.
• Ability to think critically by applying problem solving practices, acquiring relevant information, using technology and other resources appropriately, and evaluating alternatives.
• Ability to communicate effectively by speaking and writing clearly, concisely, and professionally; practicing active listening; reading critically and adapting communication for audience.
• Ability to value diversity by recognizing personal biases, adapting to culturally diverse situations, and demonstrating a commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful interactions with persons of diverse ethnic, cultural, social-economic, or educational backgrounds.
• Proficient knowledge of and skills with technology including software programs for communication, data collection, and decision making including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, and Excel, and college database systems for donor management.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and travel to CVTC campuses and other locations as needed to perform position responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Marking or related field required.
• Three years of development experience and/or direct solicitation experience required.
• Experience with fundraising and annual giving required.

In evaluating candidates for this position, the College may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform duties of position.

The College is seeking to attract diverse instructors and staff who can inspire our increasingly diverse student population. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions. We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. Therefore, we seek applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits of diversity in a higher education community. Consideration will be given to equity-minded individuals committed to collaborating with faculty, staff, administration, students, and community partners who are also committed to closing equity gaps.

Benefits Summary

2025 annual benefits include:

• 3 - 4 weeks of paid vacation time based on years of service
  
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid winter break - varies each year based on academic calendar and, at a minimum, includes days between Christmas and New Year's holidays (some exceptions may apply for essential workers)
• Paid summer break - the week of July 4th
• 4 paid personal days
• 3 weeks (15 days) paid sick time annually for absences due to illness, injury, or doctor and dentist appointments of the employee, dependent children, spouse, or parents of the employee or spouse; cumulative to 135 days (1,080 hours)
• Paid bereavement time
• Paid volunteer time
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,500 annually (eligibility requirements apply)
• Health insurance for employee, spouse, and dependents with attached Health Savings Account (HSA); CVTC contributes $3,400 annually for a family plan or $1,700 annually for a single plan to your HSA
• Wellness incentive of up to $600 for employees enrolled in CVTC's health insurance
• $2,500 cash-payment in lieu of CVTC health insurance coverage for employees who have credible coverage through another source
• Dental insurance for employee, spouse, and dependents
• Vision insurance for employee, spouse, and dependents
• Life and long-term disability insurance premiums paid by CVTC
• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), CVTC matches 6.95%, vested at 5 years of credible service
• 403(b) tax deferred annuity program
• 457(b) deferred compensation plan
• Section 125 flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development
• Certified Gold Level Family Friendly Workplace (FFW)
• Access to expansive collection of college and public library resources for personal and professional use
• Free or low-cost services offered by CVTC program students, such as computer repair, automotive repair, Shear Inspiration Salon and Spa, aesthetician services and 620 West restaurant and culinary pop ups

Benefits begin on the first date of employment (i.e., there is no waiting period).

CVTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the college's non-discrimination policies: Vice President of Talent & Culture, 620 W. Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701, 715-833-6334, WI Relay: 711