Major Gifts Officer

Position Summary: The Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of approximately 150 prospects, including the qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of gifts of $10,000 and above. This person is responsible for meeting key metrics including dollars raised and number of meaningful personal contacts while building and advancing strong relationships with the University for current and prospective donors.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

•  Identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit gifts of $10,000 or higher by matching donors’ philanthropic interests with needs of the University.
• Facilitate a required minimum of 200 NGU-oriented, substantial, face-to-face visits (an average of 5 visits a week) for 40 of the 52 weeks in the fiscal year.
• Achieve annual fundraising goal:  15 new gifts at $10,000 or greater, for a total of $150,000 in new gifts for the fiscal year.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150 donors/prospective donors; identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward these important alumni and friends of the University.
• Set and carry out an appropriate and effective strategy for each prospect.
• Support University capital campaign priorities and work with overall campaign plan.
• Work collaboratively with volunteers, other members of the NGU Advancement and University Engagement team, and other University representatives to cultivate and solicit donors for the University’s priorities.
• Assess the needs and interests of major donors in order to develop and maintain relationships between them and the University.
• Document contacts with donors and prospective donors through NGU’s Advancement framework.

Physical Requirements

• Visual Abilities: read reports, create presentations and use a computer system.
• Hearing:   hear well enough to communicate with co-workers, vendors, and students.
• Dexterity: grasping, feeling, writing, typing, and using the telephone, copier, and computer systems.
• Mobility: open files and operate office machines; move between departments and attend meetings across campus.
• Talking: frequently convey detailed or important instructions and ideas accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Lifting, pulling, pushing: exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Cognitive/Emotional: ability to critically think and concentrate. Must be able to respond quickly to changes in conditions 75 to 100% of the time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Supports NGU’s mission, core values, and commitment to a Christian lifestyle and character in keeping with biblical models.
• Must have a minimum of two years’ experience in fundraising, preferably in higher education, and in cultivating and soliciting prospects capable of five- and six-figure gifts.
• A bachelor's degree in related field is required. A degree from NGU is preferred.
• Active in a biblically faithful evangelical church, preferably one affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
• Awareness of and appreciation for the work of the Southern Baptist Convention and Baptist state conventions.
• Affirm an understanding of the Baptist Faith & Message 2000.
• Affirm understanding of the University’s Statement on Human Flourishing.
• Agree to abide by the employee handbooks, including community standards agreements.
• Highly energetic professional with a track record of building donor relationships and closing gifts of $10,000 and above.
• Self-motivated and self-starting.
• Possesses excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.