Special Gifts Officer

Geneva College; Beaver Falls (Beaver County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Geneva College is seeking a Special Gifts Officer to manage a portfolio of alumni, parents, and friends, with a focus on major gifts and donor engagement. The role involves developing cultivation plans, soliciting donors, and stewarding top prospects to advance the college’s fundraising initiatives.

The position requires 1–2 years of development experience (preferably in higher education), excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to travel and work evenings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• 1–2 years of development experience, preferably in higher education.
• Advanced interpersonal and communication skills, with strong time management and meticulous record keeping; high confidentiality.
• Evening work and travel will be required; valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of alumni, parents, friends, churches, and businesses.
• Develop cultivation and solicitation plans for major gift prospects.
• Complete 150 face-to-face contacts annually for donor identification and movement through fundraising cycle.
• Communicate with donors regularly via in-person, phone, and email.
• Travel frequently, including overnight stays.
• Work with the Geneva College Foundation staff on donor recognition programs.
• Report to the President of Geneva College Foundation.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Time management

Record keeping

Confidentiality

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Summary of Responsibilities

The Special Gifts Officer is responsible for qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding a portfolio of 180 alumni, parents, friends, churches, and businesses. This position serves as part of the Geneva College Foundation team and works closely with other team members to assist in the implementation of fundraising strategies and donor development. This position reports to the President of Geneva College Foundation.

Essential Responsibilities

(These essential responsibilities are those the individual must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of reasonable accommodation.)

• Portfolio of alumni and friends:
  • Be responsible for an assigned group of alumni, friends, churches, and businesses who have the capacity of annually giving $5,000 or more.
  • Develop cultivation and solicitation plans for major gift prospects.
  • Annually, complete 150 face-to-face (defined) contacts for the purpose of identifying, qualifying, soliciting, and stewarding alumni, friends, churches and businesses and documenting movement through fundraising cycle in The Raiser’s Edge. Identifying major prospects, passions, and interests.
  • Recognizes that people give to people and organizations they know and trust. This requires personal relationships with major gift donors and prospects, which is a long-term perspective.
  • Be aware of and knowledgeable of institutional major gift opportunities and initiatives within the college.
  • Communicate regularly with donors in your portfolio (in-person, phone, email, birthday cards, etc.)
  • Requires frequent travel which at times will include overnight stays. The use of a personal vehicle is necessary in local area.
• Donor recognition:
  • Work with the President of Geneva College Foundation and other Foundation staff in donor recognition programs, including recognition dinner event, annual giving and lifetime giving societies.

Exhibits behavior that is consistent with and supportive of Geneva’s mission, vision, core values, and standards of conduct

• Geneva Mission Statement: Geneva College is a Christ-centered academic community that provides a comprehensive education to equip students for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor.
• Vision Statement: Geneva College will inspire students to integrate faith in Christ into all aspects of life in the real world, and to serve faithfully within their callings for Christ and Country.
• Core Values:
  • Serve with grace
  • Pursue Godly wisdom
  • Foster academic strength
  • Engage culture faithfully
  • Inspire vibrant hospitality
  • Honor one another
• Standards of Conduct: Employees of Geneva College will affirm upon hire, and annually thereafter, their promise to abide by the College’s Standard of Conduct Policy. All employees must conduct their personal affairs so there can be no opportunity for unfavorable reflections upon the Christian beliefs and mission of the College, either expressed or implied. It is expected that employees will conduct themselves in a manner consistent with biblical standards, values, and character. These standards of personal conduct do not apply to family members and/or friends of the employee.

Job Requirements - Administrative

• General: Individuals must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed or be able to explain and demonstrate that they can perform the essential responsibilities of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations in order to safely perform the essential responsibilities of the job.
• Physical: Must be able to perform the following: talking, hearing, and seeing. Must have sufficient manual dexterity to be able to operate all office equipment including, but not limited to computers, printers, copiers, scanners, and telephones. Able to regularly lift up to 60 pounds.
• Confidentiality:Individuals must recognize that management of data, including personal information, grades, budgets, programs, and policies is necessary to the operation of the College. Such information must be kept private and confidential for the protection of the College and to obey Federal and/or State laws. Should there be doubt as to whether a certain matter is to be protected, it should be discussed with your supervisor before making a disclosure.
• Mental: Must be able to reason, analyze, prioritize, conceptualize, make judgments, and solve problems.

Qualifications

• Minimum:
  • Education/Certification:Bachelor’s degree in related field.
  • Experience:1-2 years of development experience, preferably in higher education.
  • Skill/Abilities:The work involves a high level of contact with individuals inside and outside the College and therefore requires advanced interpersonal and communication skills. The variety of duties implies the need for good time management, the ability to prioritize, and excellent record keeping abilities. Access to sensitive materials assumes a high degree of confidentiality. Evening work and travel will be required. Maintain avalid driver’s license.
  • Christian Commitment: An eligible candidate must be a thoughtful and articulate Christian and an active member of a Protestant evangelical Christian church. Preference will be given to the candidate who supports and has an articulate understanding of the Reformed faith. An eligible candidate must understand and support the College’s "Foundational Concepts of Christian Education" by expressing an evangelical Christian profession of faith and demonstrate the ability to integrate a Christian perspective in their work.
• Preferred:
  • Education/Certification:Master’s degree in a related field.
  • Experience:
    • Five years of fundraising experience in a higher educational setting. Some supervisory experience preferred.
    • Prior experience fundraising for athletics, preferably in higher education.
  • Skill/Abilities: Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge database and fundraising process.