Major Gifts Officer

We are committed to enhancing and cultivating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment through actions that foster a sense of belonging and safety for all members of the NMC community. 

Summary & Qualifications:

Summary

The Major Gifts Officer is an essential member of the Division of Advancement and on the NMC Foundation Team. He/she is responsible for establishing, cultivating and sustaining relationships with donors and prospective donors in an effort to secure funding and support for Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) through its Foundation. The Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of at least 100 prospects and work in close partnership with college and foundation leadership, academic units and programs to develop and implement strategies to secure funding in alignment with NMC’s strategic plan. 

The Major Gift Officer participates as an active member of the Advancement team, serves on the NMC Foundation Staff Team, and reports directly to the Director of Development and Alumni Relations.

Qualifications

Required:

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of fundraising best practices and ethics (Required) 

• At least 2 years of experience in working with donors and securing gifts and/or grants fundraising, marketing, communications, sales, or a related field (Required) 

• Bachelor's Degree (Required) 

Preferred:

• Three years of demonstrated experience in comprehensive and progressively more successful fundraising (Preferred) 

• A basic understanding of various types of planned gift instruments with the ability to communicate the advantages of each to donors (Preferred) 

• Ability to prioritize and take on new tasks in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment (Preferred) 

• Careful attention to detail (Preferred) 

• Excellent communication, organization and analytical skills (Preferred) 

• Exceptional knowledge of personal computers, word processing and spreadsheets (Preferred) 

• Experience working with volunteers (Preferred) 

• Higher education fundraising experience (Preferred) 

• Working knowledge of Raisers Edge donor software (Preferred) 

Essential Responsibilities

• (Critical) Promotes the benefits of giving to NMC and encourages lifelong relationships between the College and its donors, including foundations, corporations, and individuals.

• (Critical) Manages a portfolio of at least 100 major and planned gift donors and prospects by developing and implementing overall strategies for engaging, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding those individuals. 

• (Critical) Gathers data, assesses prospects, and develops strategies designed to realize current and lifetime giving potential of individual prospects.

• (Critical) Collaboratively develops and implements donor recognition and stewardship plans.

• (Critical) Stays aware of college strategic initiatives and potential impact of fundraising. Engages college leadership in the fundraising process.

• (Critical) Manages and coordinates volunteer and professional relationships in support of major/planned gift fundraising activities.

• (Critical) Develops and maintains appropriate and effective reporting of activity and monitoring of resources or expenditures associated with program and portfolio.

• (Critical) Develops and writes content with strategic philanthropic messaging for proposals, grants, and Foundation publications as necessary.

• (Critical) Takes an active role as appropriate in strategizing for and executing Foundation events.

Place of work