Senior Major Gifts Architect | Higher-Ed Philanthropy

Evansville Regional Economic Partnership; Evansville (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Evansville invites applications for the position of Senior Major Gift Officer within the Office of University Advancement. The role focuses on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding alumni and donors to secure transformative philanthropic support.

Responsibilities include managing a portfolio of 150–200 prospects, pursuing $50,000+ gifts, and conducting 15–20 donor visits monthly to advance gifts. Collaboration with academic and campus partners is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.
• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, development, sales, relationship management, or related role requiring strategic cultivation and solicitation.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to engage and influence a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to travel extensively and maintain a flexible schedule for fundraising activities.
• Familiarity with fundraising databases, CRM systems, and prospect management processes.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 to 200 major gift prospects and donors.
• Focus fundraising on individuals with philanthropic capacity of $50,000 and above.
• Develop and execute cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for assigned prospects.
• Conduct 15 to 20 strategic face-to-face donor visits monthly.
• Complete 2 to 4 major gift solicitations per month.
• Develop individualized engagement strategies based on donor interests and capacity.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with alumni, parents, friends, and other stakeholders.
• Articulate the University's mission, priorities, and funding opportunities to prospective donors.
• Ensure donors receive stewardship, recognition, and ongoing engagement after gifts.
• Collaborate with campus leaders to identify fundraising priorities and opportunities.
• Coordinate fundraising volunteers, advisory groups, and campaign committees as appropriate.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Relationship management

Fundraising strategy

Donor stewardship

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, business, liberal arts, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Prospect management databases

Job description

The University of Evansville invites applications for the position of Senior Major Gift Officer within the Office of University Advancement. The role focuses on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding alumni and donors to secure transformative philanthropic support.

Responsibilities include managing a portfolio of 150–200 prospects, pursuing $50,000+ gifts, and conducting 15–20 donor visits monthly to advance gifts. Collaboration with academic and campus partners is essential.