Major Gifts Officer: Donor Relations Leader

SDSU Research Foundation; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule/remote work

10 vacation days

13 holidays

Full benefits

On-site childcare

Professional development

Job summary

SDSU Research Foundation is seeking a Major Gifts Officer on the San Diego campus to lead donor relations and fundraising initiatives for KPBS and the station’s mission. The role focuses on managing a large donor portfolio, identifying opportunities, and coordinating strategic solicitation with leadership.

Responsibilities include frontline donor engagement, prospect cultivation, event participation, and cross-functional collaboration to communicate KPBS initiatives and secure multi-year gifts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field, or additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis.
• Three years of professional work-related experience
• Demonstrated knowledge of major gift fundraising principles and best practices
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong, long-term relationships with donors and prospects
• Strong written and verbal communication tailored to different audiences

Responsibilities

• Serve as frontline fundraiser and primary point of contact for assigned donors by developing and maintaining strong, long-term relationships
• Manage a portfolio of 150+ individual and foundation donors and prospects to secure annual and multi-year gifts of $10,000 or more
• Develop and execute strategies to identify, cultivate, and steward major gift donors and prospects
• Increase the number of major gift donors and upgrade the giving levels of existing donors, including Producers Club members and general membership donors
• Identify and strategically cultivate and solicit donors and prospects with a focus on expanding donor relationships
• Plan, schedule and conduct face-to-face meetings, station tours, and small cultivation events
• Maintain accurate and timely donor records and utilize CRM data and reports to monitor portfolio activity, identify opportunities, and inform fundraising strategies
• Partner with division leadership and staff to develop and execute donor solicitation strategies and secure gifts
• Develop and write high-level gift and grant proposals, reports, and correspondence for prospective donors, including stewardship communications, renewal letters, and other donor communications
• Collaborate cross-functionally to create accurate and informative messaging that communicates key initiatives of the organization and strengthens donor engagement
• Assist with planning and coordinating cultivation and stewardship events and activities designed to deepen donor relationships, increase engagement, and strengthen investment in the station’s work
• Represent the station at events
• Support strategic initiatives and projects as assigned

Skills

Donor relations

Fundraising

CRM systems

Communication skills

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

SDSU Research Foundation is seeking a Major Gifts Officer on the San Diego campus to lead donor relations and fundraising initiatives for KPBS and the station’s mission. The role focuses on managing a large donor portfolio, identifying opportunities, and coordinating strategic solicitation with leadership.

Responsibilities include frontline donor engagement, prospect cultivation, event participation, and cross-functional collaboration to communicate KPBS initiatives and secure multi-year gifts.