Major Gifts Officer: Relationship-Driven Fundraiser (Onsite)

Fort Valley State University; Fort Valley (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Fort Valley State University is seeking a dynamic Major Gifts Officer to lead frontline fundraising within the Institutional Advancement team. You will manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, deepen engagement, and align philanthropic support with the university's strategic priorities.

You will develop personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans, travel for donor visits, and collaborate with senior staff to advance major gifts and leadership gifts across campus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience.
• 5–7+ years of progressive experience in advancement, fundraising, or related field.
• Demonstrated success in frontline fundraising, including cultivating, soliciting, and closing leadership or major gifts.
• Outstanding writing skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, highly relational environment.
• High level of discretion and professionalism in handling confidential information.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge NXT or similar CRM preferred.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, donor strategy, and campaign execution.

Responsibilities

• Manage and steward a portfolio of prospects, including alumni, corporations and friends.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for prospects and existing donors.
• Focus on building relationships and advancing giving conversations.
• Identify, qualify, and actively move new prospects into the major gift pipeline.
• Serve as a secondary relationship manager for select major donors in coordination with senior staff.
• Design and implement thoughtful engagement strategies that strengthen relationships across the university community.
• Serve as a key connector between the Advancement Office and constituencies.
• Provide strategic insight into donor interests, trends, and opportunities to strengthen the philanthropic pipeline.

Skills

Relationship management

Donor engagement

Communication skills

Writing skills

Multitasking

Discretion

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Raiser's Edge NXT

Job description

Fort Valley State University is seeking a dynamic Major Gifts Officer to lead frontline fundraising within the Institutional Advancement team. You will manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, deepen engagement, and align philanthropic support with the university's strategic priorities.

You will develop personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans, travel for donor visits, and collaborate with senior staff to advance major gifts and leadership gifts across campus.