University Gift Officer

Trustees of the Hamline University of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 69,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamline University in Saint Paul, MN is seeking a University Gift Officer to grow a portfolio of major gift prospects and lead engagement with alumni and friends, focusing on gifts of $50,000 and above.

You will conduct 100–125 meetings per year, collaborate with faculty and administration, prepare proposals, and ensure donor stewardship in line with IRS rules and Hamline policies. The role requires travel and some evening/weekend work.

Qualifications

• Expert ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and to develop and maintain interpersonal relationships.
• Ability and discretion to work with high-level donors; persuade and align donor interests with university priorities.
• High energy, initiative, and goal orientation; strong collaboration skills.
• Ability to work without close supervision and to make independent decisions.
• Confidentiality and tact in donor interactions; familiarity with MS Office, Google Apps, Banner database, and Raiser's Edge.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects (125–175); develop strategies to advance qualification, cultivation, solicitation, closing and stewardship.
• Conduct 100–125 personal donor meetings per year; document activities in the constituent database.
• Solicit outright and planned gifts; prepare proposals and gift agreements; document donor intent per policies and IRS regulations.
• Develop and implement donor stewardship plans and materials.
• Collaborate with academic leadership, faculty, staff and administrators to align donor interests with priorities.

Skills

Donor relations

Communication

Negotiation

Travel readiness

Event planning

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Founded in 1854, Hamline was the first university in Minnesota and among the first coeducational institutions in the nation. Hamline University provides a world‑class education for undergraduate and graduate students. Our faculty, staff, and students cultivate an ethic of civic responsibility, social justice, and inclusive leadership and service.

Hamline University is an Equal Opportunity employer.

Hamline University does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion; creed; sex; national origin; marital status; familial status; status with regard to public assistance; membership or activity in a local human rights commission; disability; age; protected veteran status; or any other status protected by applicable law in its education or employment programs or activities. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

JOB SUMMARY

The University Gift Officer maintains and grows key relationships for Hamline University through the strategic management of a personal portfolio of donors and prospects. He or she is responsible for raising support from alumni and friends of the University, with a focus on gifts of $50,000 and above.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects (appx. 125 – 175); develop and implement strategies to actively move them through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, closing and stewardship cycles
• Conduct 100 - 125 personal meetings with prospective donors per year; document relevant information in constituent database in a timely manner
• Solicit all types of outright and planned gifts (endowment, capital, leadership annual); prepare proposals and negotiate gift agreements; create gift agreements and pledge forms to accurately document donor intent in accordance with Hamline University gift acceptance policies and practices and IRS regulations
• Develop and implement stewardship plans and materials as appropriate per donor
• Collaborate with academic leadership, faculty, staff and administrators for effective involvement in donor interactions, and to develop understanding of potential areas for donor support
• Manage or Lead/Participate in a variety of University events which often occur in the evenings and on the weekends
• Provide leadership by engaging in development/all-staff meetings & events
• Serve as the liaison between the University development office and specific donor/interest groups or areas of campus, as requested
• Support volunteer fundraisers, as requested
• Travel to assigned territories to meet with donors and prospective donors
• Stay abreast of development best practices and industry trends
• All other duties as requested

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports to: Associate Vice President of Philanthropy

This position does not supervise other employees.

This position does not supervise student workers.

BUDGET MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Budget Range: This position is not responsible for the management of a budget.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND KEY COMPETENCIES

• Expert ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and to develop and maintain interpersonal relationships
• Ability and discretion to work with high-level donors; ability to make a persuasive case for supporting key programs and projects and to effectively match the interests of prospective donors to priorities at Hamline
• High level of energy and initiative; organized and goal-driven
• Strong collaboration skills
• Ability to work without close supervision and to make appropriate independent decisions concurrent with University and Institutional Advancement policies
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and utilize tact and diplomacy
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Google, Google Apps and the willingness to learn and be an efficient user of the Banner database and Raiser’s Edge

MINIMUM EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience working in a development role with a track record of successful major gift solicitation, or relevant experience with high achievement in sales/marketing, including face-to-face client work or high-level customer relations
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends as required
• Ability to travel to on and off-campus locations, both locally, regionally, and nationally to meet with donors and prospective donors
• 2 years professional experience working with Microsoft Office Suite, Google, and Google Apps

PREFERRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Development experience within a higher education setting
• Experience using Raiser’s Edge

REQUIRED LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION

N/A

WORKING CONDITIONS / EQUIPMENT

• Must be able to work on a computer for extended periods of time.
• Frequent local travel and occasional regional or national travel will be required.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This is a full time, 1.0 FTE, exempt position, 12 months a year.
• Occasional evening and/or weekend work will be required.
• Salary range for this position: $69,000 - $73,000

EEO/DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Hamline University does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion; creed; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity; gender expression; national origin; marital status; familial status; status with regard to public assistance; membership or activity in a local commission; disability; age; or protected veteran status in its education or employment programs or activities.

Since 1854, Hamline has set the standard for excellence in education, and we continue to do so today with the help of driven individuals who are dedicated to Hamline’s tradition of doing all the good we can in all the ways we can. Our community of students, faculty, and staff take seriously the ideals of the university—scholarship, leadership, and fellowship—and work together to enact positive change locally, nationally, and globally. Join us and see how you can take the lead here at Hamline.