Major Gifts Officer

SUMMARY:

Shepherds Foundation Inc (SFI), the philanthropic institution for Shepherds College, seeks a motivated, collegial, and proficient fundraising professional to serve as the organization’s Major Gifts Officer. SFI offers a competitive salary and benefits package and the ability to work from home when not on work-related travel, including scheduled trips to SC’s campus. 

Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, the Major Gifts Officer (MGO) will be eager to embrace this moment of opportunity at the Foundation. The MGO will be responsible for identifying, engaging, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding current and prospective major donors. He/she will also be responsible for providing outstanding and responsive customer service to an established portfolio of donors and prospects, ensuring the attainment of their personal philanthropic goals. The ideal candidate will be eager to unite their faith with their frontline fundraising experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Full alignment with the Shepherds College Mission Statement and Statement of Faith.
• Continued spiritual growth in a personal walk with Jesus Christ and serve as a conduit of Christ’s love for others in an effort to point others to Jesus through our actions and words.
• Build relationships and secure major gift support for Shepherds College through personal visits and meaningful contacts with donors and prospective donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Develop and manage a donor portfolio within an assigned multi-state territory through the implementation of strategies for donor acquisition, stewardship, acknowledgment, and retention.
• Ability and passion to create opportunities for people to advance God’s Kingdom through financial stewardship and generosity toward Shepherds College.
• Articulate the mission, vision, ministry, needs, and accomplishments of the College through effective verbal and written communications.
• Draft and present written and verbal proposals, presentations, and other communications to effectively align donors’ passions and interests with the programs and operations of the College.
• Track communications and interactions with major gift donors and prospects through the College’s donor management system, Raiser’s Edge-NXT.
• The ability to take initiative and work with a sense of purpose and urgency.
• Work with College and Foundation staff in creating and promoting special events and funding priorities by focusing on the cultivation of individual and corporate partnerships.
• Develop and leverage referral networks for new major donor acquisition.
• Keep abreast of the ministry, programs, and financial needs of Shepherds College by collaborating with the Foundation team, College staff, students, and volunteers.
• Willingness to learn and apply new techniques, processes, and strategies.
• High moral integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong organizational, social, and people skills, including rapport-building, strategic planning, listening, prospecting, networking, and persuasion.
• Flexibility to work from home while also engaging in 50% overnight travel.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:

• A Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Minimum of five years of development experience, possessing roles with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Demonstrated success in personally securing five-and/or six-figure major gifts.
• Well-versed in planned giving vehicles, including bequests, trusts, annuities, and giving through retirement plans.
• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with CRM and prospect research tools such as Raiser’s Edge -NXT, PGCalc, and/or iWave.
• Proficiency in standard office software tools and applications.