Major Gifts Officer, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

Indyhunger; Indiana, Bloomington (PA, IN); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a major gifts fundraiser to enhance their portfolio of major gift prospects. This role involves identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts through personal interactions and various outreach strategies. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in fundraising, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple relationships effectively. With opportunities for hybrid work and regular travel, this position offers a dynamic environment where your contributions will significantly impact the organization's fundraising goals. Join a passionate team dedicated to making a difference!

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; 2 years in fundraising or related field.
• Proficient communication and professionalism are essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage and broaden a portfolio of major gift prospects.
• Cultivate donor relationships through various outreach methods.
• Create compelling fundraising materials and track metrics.

Skills

Proficient communication skills

Time management and priority setting

Professionalism

Flexibility in a dynamic environment

Relationship building

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Job Summary

Seeking a major gifts fundraiser to manage and broaden a portfolio of major gift prospects, stewarding major gifts to fund the school's fundraising priorities.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards major gifts through personal visits, phone calls, and other campaigns.
• Grows and cultivates relationships with both existing and new major gifts prospects utilizing a well-established prospect portfolio and seeking new opportunities.
• Works with partners at the IU Foundation to build their donor prospect portfolio.
• Builds relationships with IU Jacobs School of Music faculty, staff, and donors, and will be expected, from time totime, to attend performances at the Jacobs School, as well as high-level donor related events.
• Reports to the Assistant Dean of External Affairs and is a member of the Jacobs School of Music Development team.
• Manages own local and travel schedule and attends weekly team meetings.

General Responsibilities

• Plans and participates in solicitation efforts for major, planned, and/or principal gifts from alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and other constituents and supporters of the university. Solicitation efforts are primarily in person through repeated contact, but may vary to include email, direct mail, social media, and phone communications. Fundraising outreach may be focused on programming, capital campaigns, named faculty chairs, or funds/needs within 1 school or department or may span multiple schools or departments.
• Cultivates donor relationships through regular communications and outreach events; updates, maintains, and forwards prospective and current donor files and information to other development officers as necessary.
• Regularly solicits and closes gifts up to $250,000, with an emphasis on annual giving and encouraging multi-year commitments.
• In coordination with manager, sets annual funds targets, contacts, and timelines by campaign. Tracks progress toward goals, reporting or presenting figures on a regular basis to manager, team, and/or department/school representatives. Progress may be monitored via an incentive plan.
• Creates and distributes compelling print and digital fundraising materials for each campaign; tracks cost, funds received, and metrics such as return on investment for solicitation and pledge to donation yield.
• Researches, compiles, and provides metrics, facts, and general operations information about IU and its schools and departments to donors. Regularly collaborates with colleagues in relevant departments and schools and conveys donor questions/concerns related to their willingness to contribute.
• Provides an excellent donor experience through customer service, active listening, inclusive language, and thoughtful and persuasive discussion, consistently upholding the integrity and mission of Indiana University.
• May take on increasingly complex special projects, such as re-engaging lapsed donors, performing outreach to engage donors in volunteer leadership opportunities, or developing and executing targeted events for potential donors.
• May delegate administrative tasks, such as preparing and sending digital and direct mail solicitations and closing communications, to other staff.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor's degree in related field

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 2 years in fundraising, sales, a higher education foundation, or related field

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
• Highly thorough and dependable
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure

Preferred

• Proven success in major gifts work, relationship building and a team player

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Additional Information

This position is eligible to work a hybrid schedule (mix between remote and in-person work), subject to change in the future based on university policy and business needs.

This position offers hybrids work opportunities and requires regular travel.

Candidates should expect national travel an average of 1 week per month.