Major Gifts Officer

Valparaiso University is seeking a dynamic and experienced Major Gifts Officer to join our dedicated University Advancement team. The Major Gifts Officer will play a critical role in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors to support the university’s strategic priorities. This position offers a unique opportunity for an ambitious and strategic fundraising professional to make a meaningful impact on the institution’s mission and future.

Major Responsibilities:

• Donor Cultivation: Build and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, including alumni, parents, friends, and foundations
• Develop and implement personalized cultivation plans to deepen relationships and engage donors in the university’s mission and initiatives
• Solicitation: Identify, qualify, and solicit major gift prospects for philanthropic support
• Work collaboratively with the Advancement team to create compelling proposals and presentations that align with donors; interests and the university’s priorities
• Stewardship: Ensure that major donors receive regular and meaningful updates on the impact of their gifts
• Create customized stewardship plans to express gratitude and foster long-term donor engagement
• Portfolio Management and Donor Visits: Effectively manage prospect portfolio through personal visits, correspondence, electronic and telephonic communication
• Extensive travel is required
• Collaboration: Collaborate with colleagues in University Advancement, academic departments, and other university units to identify funding priorities, align fundraising efforts, and leverage opportunities for philanthropic support
• Data Management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of donor interactions and communications in the university’s donor database, Advance 
• Reporting: Provide regular reports on major gift activities, progress toward fundraising goals, and prospect pipelines to the Assistant Vice President of Development and university leadership

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of 3-5 years of successful major gifts fundraising experience in higher education or related nonprofit sector
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage and communicate effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to develop and execute successful fundraising strategies
• Experience with donor databases and fundraising software, with a preference for Advance
• A passion for higher education and a commitment to the mission and values of Valparaiso University

Successful applicants will demonstrate a commitment to cultural diversity and the ability to work with individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds.

All offers of employment with Valparaiso University are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks may include criminal history, motor vehicle reports, prior employment verification, and personal/professional references. If applicable to the position, background checks will also include credit history. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates for employment.

To be considered for this position you must upload:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• List of 3 professional references
• Answer all the application questions

Please address cover letter to:

Christy Graf, Interim Assistant Vice President for Development

Valparaiso University

Valparaiso, Indiana 46383