Major Gift Officers

Carthage seeks persistent, results-driven, creative, and collaborative major gift officers at the director and assistant director level. Major gift officers are responsible for developing long-term philanthropic relationships with alumni, parents, and community members with the goals of maintaining established and opening new connections based on a common vision and willingness to provide financial support for Carthage College and its students. They develop tailored strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual prospects, leading to significant major and planned gifts in support of the College’s highest fundraising priorities. Major gift officers work closely with colleagues across the College, including the president, provost, deans, and faculty as well as admissions, financial aid, and career advisors to develop and implement key fundraising strategies and activities.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

• Strategically manage a portfolio of assigned donors and prospects.
• Meet key performance metrics set during the annual goal setting process, including visits, asks, qualifications, and dollars raised.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit prospective donors who have the capacity to make annual financial contributions of $5,000 or more.
• Secure support for a wide range of needs, including unrestricted support, academic programs, scholarships, and capital projects.
• Manage programmatic responsibility (strategy, workflow, assignment of work, coordination with colleagues) for one’s own work and for at least one strategic priority of the IA team.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: N/A

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required
• Experience: Related professional experience in external relationship management such as sales, fundraising, recruitment, account management required (3-5 for assistant director/5-10 for director)
• Understanding of higher education and familiarity with Carthage College preferred.
• Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills, embodying the higher standards of discretion and ability to establish trust. Ability to identify and articulate insights regarding prospect motivations and concerns. Proven project management and analytical skills, particularly planning, managing deadlines, and evaluating progress are required. Ability to identify and rally needed resources to execute responsibilities and establish collaborative relationships with campus colleagues. Knowledge of constituent databases, Microsoft Office, and other computer software.
• Travel: The position requires travel to meet with donors. Must be able to plan and execute travel plans and spend 3-5 nights away from home per month.

Other: The scope of the job requires occasional attendance at evening and/or weekend activities, meetings, events, seminars and workshops, etc.

Resume and cover letter required. Apply Online

Institutional Information

Founded in 1847, Carthage College combines an environment of reflection and self-discovery with a culture of high expectation, so that our students uncover and ignite their true potential. As a four-year private liberal arts college with roots in the Lutheran tradition, we place a strong emphasis on both moral and intellectual values. Our prime location in Kenosha, Wisconsin, midway between Chicago and Milwaukee, allows students the opportunity to learn in a professional context. Our beautiful campus, an 80-acre arboretum on the shore of Lake Michigan is home to 150 scholars, 2,600 full-time students, and 400 part-time students. Our rich academic experience equips students with foundational knowledge and skills, preparing graduates to be lifelong learners and to lead meaningful, productive lives.

Carthage College is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse community. We welcome applications from a broad spectrum of people, including members of ethnic minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or status as an individual with a disability.