The Major Gifts Team is vital to the success of Wesleyan's $600M comprehensive campaign, the largest in school history, which is in the second year of its public phase. While raising financial support for key University initiatives, the campaign also aims to broaden Wesleyan's donor base and build a pipeline of donors for the future. Working with an alumni body of more than 30,000, as well as current and past parents, the Advancement team inspires the Wesleyan community and cultivates support for university initiatives through outreach activities, including development and fundraising, alumni and parent relations, and both on- and off-campus events. Reunion & Commencement Weekend is our largest annual event.
Reporting to the Director of Major Gifts, this position is responsible for major gift fundraising, including utilizing best practices and standards to solicit and close philanthropic commitments, increasing individual donor giving, and facilitating the continued development of the new donor pipeline.
Responsibilities include:
- Actively managing approximately 150-200 assigned prospective donors.
- Developing strategies to solicit and secure one-time gifts and multi-year commitments, with the primary focus on gifts and commitments at or above $100k.
- Cultivating relationships with assigned prospects and moving prospects through the solicitation cycle from discovery/qualification to close.
- Soliciting multi-year reunion and campaign commitments while achieving annual gift revenue goals.
- Leveraging the campaign and key University milestones and events like Homecoming Family Weekend, Reunion and Commencement to cultivate prospective donors.
- Developing and managing major gift strategies and proposals in coordination with others including; Reunion Giving, Principal Gifts, Gift Planning, Donor Relations and Annual Giving.
- Partnering with Advancement, University leadership, and key volunteers in fundraising strategies as appropriate, including arranging visits and drafting correspondence and preparatory materials.
- Working closely with Principal Gifts on select prospects to help maintain and develop connections to the President.
- Employing prospect management best practices to guide actions and maximize fundraising effectiveness.
- Traveling to assigned regions frequently to meet with alumni, parents or friends and represent the University at gatherings and events.
- Partnering with the Engagement team in developing and executing strategies for assigned regions.
- Other duties as assigned.
This is an on-campus position with potential for hybrid in the future.
Hybrid work is only considered for residents of MA, VT, NH, ME, CT, RI, or NY. (Relocation assistance to CT is available for those who qualify).
Minimum qualifications for Development Officer level:
- Bachelor's Degree and at least five (5) years of progressively responsible fundraising, sales, admission or other similar experience in a related field or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
- Demonstrated ability to engage individuals and build relationships.
- Ability to articulate institutional needs and draw connections to donors' intended impacts, while exercising discretion and maintaining confidentiality.
- Proven ability to engage and interact effectively with diverse constituents, build effective relationships and serve as an ambassador.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively and independently.
- Effective communication skills.
- Intermediate Microsoft Office skills and working knowledge of video conferencing platforms.
- Strong planning and organizational skills along with the ability to multi-task, plan and organize meetings.
- Ability to travel regionally and nationally for approximately 40-50 days annually (approximately one week every month) and work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends and holidays as needed.
- Valid driver's license or the ability to obtain one.
- Demonstrated commitment to work within a diverse environment and interact openly with individuals of different backgrounds.
Additional minimum qualifications for consideration at the Senior Development Officer level:
- Bachelor's Degree and at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible fundraising experience or similar experience in a related field or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Proven experience as an effective fundraiser with effective closing skills and a persuasive ability to encourage philanthropy.
- Working knowledge of fundraising gift vehicles, gift planning and fundraising cycles.
- Proven experience soliciting, negotiating, and closing gifts at and above $100k.
- Comprehensive campaign experience.
- Record of successful collaboration with volunteers and internal and external leadership and senior administrative officers.
- Experience with donor databases, CRM or other similar systems.
- A pattern of working with internal and external leadership on specific prospect cases.
- Experience with frequent travel and a track record of organizing visits and other activities around travel.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with fundraising in education.
- Experience with not-for-profit organizations.
Position is open until filled. For full consideration please apply by June 16, 2025 when first review of applications will begin.
Compensation: $90,000-$108,000
Work Location: On Campus
All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate's completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.
Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator.
Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan University's Clery Act Report are available on request and online at .
Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers. For more information visit
Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans, flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs for those who qualify.
Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: .
We welcome your interest in Wesleyan's diverse, energetic community of employees who, by their creativity, innovative thinking, and generosity of spirit, help make Wesleyan a great place to work.
In this open-minded and inclusive environment, our faculty and staff foster a liberal arts experience characterized by boldness, rigor, and practical idealism.
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