The Major Gifts Officer is primarily responsible for fundraising for university priorities from current and prospective major gift donors. The Major Gifts Officer will actively manage an assigned portfolio of major donor prospects using a discovery, cultivation, invitation, and retention model. The Major Gifts Officer will be expected to focus on in-person interactions, involving the clear articulation of APU's mission, vision, and funding priorities, and approach fundraising through a donor-centric lens.
Required Education- Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
Required Experience- Minimum of five years of direct fundraising experience.
- Experience managing a donor portfolio.
Primary Duties/Essential Functions- Manage an assigned portfolio of 100-125 current and prospective major donor prospects, using a discovery, cultivation, invitation, and retention model.
- Build meaningful relationships with assigned prospects/donors, conducting a minimum of 10-14 face-to-face donor visits per month. Expected that 75% of work time should be spent preparing, communicating, traveling, meeting with donors/prospects, and related follow-up work.
- Prepare and implement appropriate major donor strategies for the cultivation and invitation of both annual and major gifts ($10,000+).
- Collaborate with planned giving specialists in the Advancement office to leverage legacy planning tools for the identification and securing of deferred gift commitments.
- Assist in the prospect research data collection and engagement process as part of the major donor invitation strategy.
- Attend Advancement and University events (may include evenings and weekends).
- Provide accurate information of all prospect and donor activity in Slate, including contact reports, recording opportunities, follow-up communication, gift commitments, gift proposals,, and other documentation.
- Serve as an APU ambassador with a high level of integrity, authenticity, and confidentiality. Maintain a positive image when dealing with constituents and the university community; demonstrate a lifestyle consistent with the values and ethos of APU.
- Regular, punctual attendance as required by the supervisor based on department needs.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Portfolio Management
- Manage a portfolio of 100-125 highly engaged prospects who have the capacity to make a major gift of $10,000+ for the $125 million comprehensive campaign.
- Align donor passions with the strategic priorities of the $125 million campaign.
- Partner with university leadership, deans, and faculty to develop compelling funding proposals.
- Pray daily, asking God for his leadership in your work.
Annual Goals
- Fundraising Target: Year 1 - Secure $300K - $500K. Year 2 - Secure $500K - $1 million. Year 3 - secure $1 to $1.5 million annually.
- Solicitations: Deliver 20 to 30 formal proposals of $10,000+.
- Portfolio Velocity: Move 30% of discovery prospects into active cultivation or invitation phases.
Monthly Goals
- Strategic Visits: Conduct 10-14 face-to-face donor meetings.
- Proposals Submitted: Submit 2 to 4 major gift proposals.
- Qualification: Complete 4 to 6 discovery meetings with new prospects to maintain portfolio health.
Daily Goals
- Donor Outreach: Complete 10 to 12 personalized touchpoints via phone, video, email, or handwritten notes (3 - discovery, 3 - cultivation, 2 invitation action, 4 - stewardship).
- Scheduling Activity: Complete 1-2 booking conversations (securing upcoming face-to-face visits).
- Activity Logging: Enter all meeting notes, strategy updates, and contact reports into the CRM within 24 hours.
- Strategic Planning: Spend 1 hour reviewing portfolio data and mapping out travel routes or meeting agendas.
Skills- Strong self-starter with a positive attitude and intrinsically motivated.
- Proven ability to manage a portfolio and make major gift-level asks ($10,000+), involving travel, flexible work schedule involving morning, evening, and weekend work. This position will be expected to spend 75% of their time outside of the office with prospects and donors.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a winsome and relational manner.
- Active and attentive listening abilities.
- Proven ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a wide range of professionals, in a metric and goal-driven environment.
- Ability to understand, embrace, and communicate APU's unique mission and character.
- Other necessary characteristics: honesty, responsiveness, follow-through, servant attitude, confidentiality, vision, initiative, drive, and adaptability.
Mental Demands- Ability to work under pressure, exuding a mature demeanor while multitasking in a deadline-oriented
- environment with accuracy and consistency.
- Ability to exercise good judgment and discretionary skills in determining when to act independently and when to consult management prior to taking action.
Physical Demands- Significant travel by car and plane.
- Requires repetitive motions and sitting at a computer keyboard.
- Hearing and speaking on the telephone.
- Intermittent sitting and standing.
- Able to lift, bend, grasp, reach, lift up to 20 lbs. occasionally.
Visual Demands- Computer monitor and reading.
Environment- Pleasant office, comfortable temperatures.
- Multiple conversations and transactions occurring simultaneously.
Technologies- Proficient in Google Apps., Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel.
- Ability to learn and work proficiently in Advancement CRM.
Compensation- Grade 18: $98,456 to $113,225 is the annual salary for this role and reflects what Azusa Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on the qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, APU offers a competitive benefits package .
