This position will be responsible for managing and cultivating relationships to increase support for Grand Valley State University with existing alumni, parents, and friends, as well as identifying new and innovative pipelines for these constituencies. This position will lead the development of new giving opportunities and giving vehicles that meet the needs of our students and university and will collaborate with members of the Philanthropy team and College Advancement team helping to effectively build a case for support that can be presented to prospective donors.
 
Primary Duties

• Develop an annual plan to identify, qualify, and cultivate prospects; solicit and close leadership, major, and planned gift funding requests to meet short and long-term goals of the university.

• Act as primary relationship manager for prospects with capacity to give $15,000 or more/year by developing and implementing strategies including the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gifts.

• Support fundraising efforts and effectively communicate with diverse internal and external constituencies, including university leadership, faculty, donors, and volunteers.

• Lead project management for complex philanthropic gifts.

• Execute major gift materials, including briefing memos, proposals, and stewardship materials.

• Collaborate with Donor Relations to develop and implement strategies to ensure appropriate stewardship of prospects and donors, including custom strategies for top donors.

• Track and report relationship management activity using constituent relationship management system including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospective and current individual major donors.

• Report weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual activity to leadership as part of responsibility to achieve major gift revenue goals.

• Use the advancement CRM to document all donor interactions in a timely fashion, including contact reports for prospect and donor engagements and key conversations, ensuring data consistency and accuracy with prospect and donor records.

• Maintain a portfolio of donors capable of five and six-figure gifts.

• Represent the University and the GVU Foundation at University and college events, as well as community, volunteer, and professional organizations.

• Perform other duties as required/assigned by leadership.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree or knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in an appropriate field (e.g. communications, public relations, marketing, and/or business).

• Minimum five to seven (5-7) years of fundraising or related experience.

• An ability to align the priorities of the university, identify their passions for investment, while also clearly communicating the university’s mission and priorities are vital.

• Proven track record of leading/supporting gift requests with a deep understanding of the principles that drive fundraising success including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Strong interpersonal and human relations skills; effectively interact with all levels of leadership within the university and members of the community.

• Meets challenges with curiosity and a desire to learn.

• Ability to communicate in a logical, influential, and persuasive manner to create confidence and trust in donors.

• Ability to lead and manage projects from inception to conclusion.

• Computer proficiency with a working knowledge of CRM databases.

• Ability to travel as needed and work some evenings and weekends.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Master’s degree.

• Successful higher education fundraising experience in raising major gifts.

• Prior experience working with senior-level executives and professionals.

• Strategic mindset: ability to be forward-thinking and to create long-term relationships for maximum gifts, rather than focusing on single transactions.

• Ability to adapt within formal, confidential, and various business and social settings.

• Proven successful experience working in a complex environment on multiple and diverse projects.

Salary: $88,000-$96,000 commensurate with experience

Campus: Grand Rapids Pew Campus

How to Apply: Apply online at GVSU Careers. Attach a cover letter and resume to the online application. If you need assistance, call Human Resources at 616-331-2215.

Application Deadline: Application review begins April 30, 2024. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.

Grand Valley State University is guided by values for inclusiveness and community which are integral to our mission to educate students to shape their lives, their professions, and their societies, and to enrich the community through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and public service. The University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution. It encourages diversity and provides equal opportunity in education, employment, all of its programs, and the use of its facilities. Members of the University community, including candidates for employment or admissions, and visitors or guests have the right to be free from acts of harassment and discrimination, including sexual misconduct, which are prohibited if they discriminate or harass on the basis of age, color, disability, familial status, height, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex/gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, veteran or active duty military status or weight. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.
See www.gvsu.edu/affirmative/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).