Major Gifts Officer

Virginia Community Colleges; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Community Colleges seek a Major Gifts Officer to develop philanthropic relationships and secure support for institutional priorities. The role involves strategic planning, grant management, and collaboration with college leadership to enhance funding opportunities. The ideal candidate will have extensive fundraising experience and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• 5 years minimum experience in fundraising.
• Demonstrated grant and proposal writing ability.
• Ability to initiate and build relationships with donors.

Responsibilities

• Build long-term philanthropic relationships for institutional priorities.
• Work collaboratively with colleges and coordinate major grant requests.
• Maintain relationships with 75-150 current and potential donors.

Skills

Fundraising

Leadership

Communication

Organizational Skills

Team Player

Education

Master’s Degree in a relevant field of study

Job description

Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs-

Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs- Yes

Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference?

Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference? No

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday 8 AM- 5 PM or as needed.

Sensitive Position

Sensitive Position No

Job Description

Virginia’s community colleges have a 50-year track record of educational excellence and innovation to serve the needs of our citizens and strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy. When Virginia’s General Assembly established the Virginia Community College System in 1966, the need for a comprehensive system was well known. Over the two decades after the end of World War II, leaders in government, business, professional sectors, and academia had called for a new approach to providing educational opportunity. A key concern was Virginia’s ability to develop a skilled and knowledgeable workforce to expand the state’s economy. Today our community colleges give every Virginian the opportunity to gain a quality education. With 23 colleges on 40 campuses located throughout the state, Virginia’s Community Colleges are committed to serving Virginia families, helping them acquire the knowledge and skills to seize the opportunities of today and tomorrow.

The Office of Institutional Advancement is responsible for generating resources and support from various constituencies to support the VCCS’s strategic plan, Accelerate Opportunity 2030, and the strategic plan for the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education. The mission of the VFCCE is to build student success and Virginia’s future by supporting its 23 community colleges. Supporting workforce development and building the talent pipeline are priorities for the VFCCE .

The Major Gifts Officer is responsible for building a dynamic long-term philanthropic relationship that can secure an increasing level of support for institutional priorities; this includes strategic portfolio development and management, strategic planning and program management. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement, the Major Gifts Officer will work tactically with VCCS leadership and constituent programs to successfully meet foundation annual goals as well as the goals of the major gift campaign. Responsible for working collaboratively with colleges and coordinating major grant requests.

The Major Gifts Officer develops and maintains relationships with 75-150 current and potential giver relationships and maintains a high level of activity with regard to the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of corporate and foundation prospects and donors.

Special Assignments

May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

KSA's/Required Qualifications

• Extensive demonstrated success with fundraising – 5 years minimum experience.
• Demonstrated grant and proposal writing ability at appropriate levels for varied proposal development.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing and submitting proposals, letters of intent, budgets, and reports, meeting all donor/prospect deadlines.
• Ability to initiate and build relationships with prospective corporate and foundation donors and maintain high poise and professionalism.
• Proven leadership skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Robust verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be a team player.
• Willingness and ability to travel.
• Knowledge of current fundraising practices, especially as they pertain to complex higher education settings.
• Comfortable with donor database technology to track contacts with constituents.
• Well-honed verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to conduct face-to-face donor meetings and engage with prospects using grace, manners, and common sense.
• Ability to be a persuasive advocate for VFCCE / VCCS priorities and present information clearly and compellingly in writing and in person.
• Ability to work with various constituencies, including donors, funders, board of directors, and staff.
• Ability to use sound judgment and tact.
• Ability to handle highly confidential information.
• Strong initiative and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks under deadline pressures in a high-volume office.
• Enthusiastic, creative, and enterprising.

Education Requirements:
Master’s Degree in a relevant field of study

Additional Considerations

• Prefer 7+ years of fundraising experience (preferably in public higher education).

• Demonstrated record of success in generating significant commitments from corporations and foundations.

• Extensive network and knowledge of national and state foundations.

• Proven track record of success managing complex portfolios, soliciting and securing new commitments and building lasting relationships with institutional donors.

Operation of a State Vehicle

Operation of a State Vehicle No

Supervises Employees No

Required Travel

Travel as required.

Posting Number

Posting Number FAC_1620P

Recruitment Type

Recruitment Type General Public - G

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Position End Date (if temporary)

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 04/15/2025

Job Close Date

Job Close Date 05/29/2025

Open Until Filled No

Agency Website

Agency Website https://www.vccs.edu/

Contact Name

Contact Name Patsy Rose

Email

Phone Number

Phone Number 8048194938

Special Instructions to Applicants

Additional Information

The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/

EEO Statement

The Virginia Community College System ( VCCS ) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.

ADA Statement

The Virginia Community College System ( VCCS ) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts ( ADA and ADAAA ), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.

E-Verify Statement

VCCSuses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).