Jobs and Careers
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Philanthropy Officer
Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 15 Oct 2025
💰 $60,000/yr($55,000/yr – $60,000/yr)
About the role
Position Title:
Philanthropy Officer
Location:
Big Rapids (Main Campus)
Department:
• The Philanthropy Officer is responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting individual mid-level major gift prospects that are capable of making gift commitments of $10,000 or more to support Ferris State University’s funding priorities.
• Travel is required, including some evenings and/or weekends. Position Type: Staff Required Education: • Bachelor’s degree Required Work Experience: • At least 2 - 4 years of professional, relevant experience or a combination of education and experience. Required Licenses and Certifications: Physical Demands:
• Experience with CRM software.
• Proven experience working with five-figure gifts or higher.
• Strong interpersonal, team, and leadership skills, tact and flexibility in working with diverse populations.
• Ability to plan and develop marketing strategies.
• Ability to multi-task competing priorities, interruptions, and inquires with a high level of professionalism and tolerance for ambiguity.
• Knowledge of Ferris State University. Essential Duties/Responsibilities: • Advance individual relationships that result in philanthropic contributions
• Demonstrates an understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, especially in working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
• Manage a defined portfolio of mid-level major gift donors and prospects with the capacity to make multi-year commitments of $10,000 or more multiple significant contacts will be made with each of these individuals.
• Make approximately 125-150 documented face-to-face (or virtual equivalent) visits annually.
• Maintains complete and timely records of contacts with prospects and donors by utilizing University Advancement’s CRM.
• Maintains the confidentiality of donor data, records, and gifts.
• Gather data, assess prospects, and develop strategies designed to understand the current and lifetime giving potential of individual prospects.
• Ensure consistent and appropriate contact while demonstrating effective stewardship.
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the university’s funding priorities and effectively articulate needs to individual donors.
• Generate written proposals, informational materials, gift agreements, and other materials to secure major gifts.
• Assist in short-term and long-term strategic planning for overall major gifts program.
• Serve as an active team member in the development and implementation of University Advancement goals.
• Collaborate with colleagues within University Advancement and Marketing, and across the campus community.
• Understand the University’s broader fundraising objectives.
• Participate in special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Reports to the Associate Vice President for Advancement.
• Responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of designated information and performing duties in compliance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Operates university motor or personal vehicles safely while carrying out job responsibilities.
• Any other duties assigned within the position classification area. Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: Skills and Abilities: • Excellent, organizational, networking, and communications skills, both written and oral, as well as a high l
70000 - Univer Advance and Mktg VP Office
Advertised Salary: $55,000-$60,000. Salary commensurate with education, experiences, and other requirements. Benefits:Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.
Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans
FLSA: Exempt Temporary/Continuing: Continuing Part-Time/Full-Time: Full-Time Union Group: N/A Term of Position: 12 Month At Will/Just Cause: Just Cause Summary of Position: • Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement, and working with other staff and volunteers.• The Philanthropy Officer is responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting individual mid-level major gift prospects that are capable of making gift commitments of $10,000 or more to support Ferris State University’s funding priorities.
• Travel is required, including some evenings and/or weekends. Position Type: Staff Required Education: • Bachelor’s degree Required Work Experience: • At least 2 - 4 years of professional, relevant experience or a combination of education and experience. Required Licenses and Certifications: Physical Demands:
- Office Environment
- Sitting
- Twisting
- Driving
- Pulling/Pushing
- Repetitive movement
- Standing
• Experience with CRM software.
• Proven experience working with five-figure gifts or higher.
• Strong interpersonal, team, and leadership skills, tact and flexibility in working with diverse populations.
• Ability to plan and develop marketing strategies.
• Ability to multi-task competing priorities, interruptions, and inquires with a high level of professionalism and tolerance for ambiguity.
• Knowledge of Ferris State University. Essential Duties/Responsibilities: • Advance individual relationships that result in philanthropic contributions
• Demonstrates an understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, especially in working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
• Manage a defined portfolio of mid-level major gift donors and prospects with the capacity to make multi-year commitments of $10,000 or more multiple significant contacts will be made with each of these individuals.
• Make approximately 125-150 documented face-to-face (or virtual equivalent) visits annually.
• Maintains complete and timely records of contacts with prospects and donors by utilizing University Advancement’s CRM.
• Maintains the confidentiality of donor data, records, and gifts.
• Gather data, assess prospects, and develop strategies designed to understand the current and lifetime giving potential of individual prospects.
• Ensure consistent and appropriate contact while demonstrating effective stewardship.
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the university’s funding priorities and effectively articulate needs to individual donors.
• Generate written proposals, informational materials, gift agreements, and other materials to secure major gifts.
• Assist in short-term and long-term strategic planning for overall major gifts program.
• Serve as an active team member in the development and implementation of University Advancement goals.
• Collaborate with colleagues within University Advancement and Marketing, and across the campus community.
• Understand the University’s broader fundraising objectives.
• Participate in special projects and other duties as assigned.
• Reports to the Associate Vice President for Advancement.
• Responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of designated information and performing duties in compliance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Operates university motor or personal vehicles safely while carrying out job responsibilities.
• Any other duties assigned within the position classification area. Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: Skills and Abilities: • Excellent, organizational, networking, and communications skills, both written and oral, as well as a high l
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