Gift Officer
Benedictine University is an inclusive academic community, inspired by the Catholic intellectual tradition and Benedictine values. We seek employees who will contribute to the advancement of our mission by helping students shape lives of meaning and purpose as engaged citizens who care for the Earth, welcome people of diverse faiths and cultures, and promote the common good.
Job Title: Gift Officer
Department: Advancement
Reports to: Vice President of University Advancement
Status: Full-Time, Benefit Eligible
Location: Lisle
Rate: $65,000 - 75,000
Position Summary: Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO), the Gift Officer provides strategic leadership and execution of fundraising initiatives, with primary emphasis on major gifts while contributing to the success of annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, and campaign priorities. The Director manages a portfolio of leadership-level prospects and donors, develops comprehensive cultivation and solicitation strategies, and collaborates across the University to advance a culture of philanthropy. This role requires a dynamic relationship-builder who is both strategic and execution-oriented, capable of engaging donors, volunteers, and institutional leaders in meaningful support of Benedictine University’s mission and priorities.
Essential Job Responsibilities:
1. Portfolio Management and Major Gift Development
- Manage an active portfolio of approximately 125–150 qualified donors and prospects.
Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors capable of gifts ranging from $1,000 to $25,000, while assisting with major gift opportunities.
- Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for assigned prospects.
- Conduct discovery visits to assess donor interests, philanthropic capacity, and engagement opportunities.
- Prepare written proposals, gift agreements, and stewardship plans.
- Collaborate with senior advancement staff to develop strategies for major and principal gift prospects.
- Move prospects through the donor pipeline using established prospect management practices.
2. Athletic Giving and Donor Engagement
- Serve as the primary development liaison for assigned athletic programs in partnership with the Director of Athletics, coaches, and athletic staff.
- Cultivate, solicit, and steward former student-athletes, athletic alumni, parents, fans, and friends of Benedictine Athletics.
- Collaborate with coaches to identify prospective donors and strengthen donor engagement opportunities.
- Support athletic fundraising campaigns, sport-specific giving initiatives, and special events.
- Represent the University at athletic competitions, alumni gatherings, donor events, and community functions to strengthen relationships and expand philanthropic support.
Assist in planning and executing athletic donor recognition and stewardship activities.
3. Donor Engagement and Relationship Building
- Complete a minimum of 150–175 meaningful donor visits annually (approximately 12–15 per month).
- Maintain consistent communication through personal visits, phone calls, virtual meetings, emails, and handwritten correspondence.
- Build and strengthen relationships with alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, community partners, and friends of the University.
- Coordinate campus visits and personalized engagement opportunities for prospective donors.
4. Fundraising Strategy, Collaboration, and Advancement Operations
- Work collaboratively with the Director of Development, Annual Giving, Alumni Relations, Strategic Partnerships, Athletics, and Advancement Services to execute integrated fundraising strategies.
- Assist with annual giving initiatives, comprehensive campaign efforts, and cross-campus fundraising priorities.
- Partner with University leadership, faculty, and athletic staff to identify funding priorities and develop compelling cases for support.
- Maintain complete and timely documentation of donor interactions within the University's CRM (Raiser's Edge).
- Utilize prospect research, donor analytics, and data management tools to identify new giving opportunities and monitor portfolio performance.
- Prepare regular activity reports and fundraising progress updates while ensuring data integrity and adherence to prospect management standards.
5. Professional Development and University Service
- Maintain current knowledge of fundraising best practices through professional organizations such as CASE, AFP, and NACDA.
- Participate in University committees, Advancement initiatives, and professional development opportunities.
- Uphold the highest standards of ethics, confidentiality, and donor stewardship.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Other Functions:
1. Adherence to all Benedictine University and University Advancement policies and procedures. Work independently and creatively within established guidelines, while at the same time functioning as a member of a team.
2. Attend departmental and University related meetings and events.
3. Strong leadership, administrative, planning and presentation skills, including oral and written communications
4. Work in coordination with University offices and departments to coordinate and facilitate program needs, serve on University committees as needed.
5. Maintain high level of organization and ability to manage multiple tasks.
6. Ability to attain goals through knowledge of profession and professional development, as well as incorporate best practices into initiatives.
7. Ability to create a culture of collaboration with all campus constituents.
8. Employs sound project management practices, methodologies, and principles to accomplish work.
9. Proven ability to organize information; assess, utilize and navigate online platforms; and conduct detailed data analysis and develop reports based on data
10. Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive situations and matters with diplomacy and superior judgement.
11. Ability to complete high-level analysis of data.
12. Demonstrated analytical, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
Required Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's Degree Required; advanced degree preferred
Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive experience in fundraising, with demonstrated success in major gift solicitation
Specific Skills: Proven ability to cultivate, solicit and close five-and six-figure gifts. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse constituencies. Experience working with senior leadership and volunteers in a fundraising context. Familiarity with planned giving concepts and integrated advancement strategies.
Specific Knowledge, Licenses, Certifications: Yes, Proficiency with CRM systems (Raiser’s Edge or similar) and data-driven fundraising practices. Valid Driver's License required.
Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds. Use of computer screen, phone and customer service. May require bending, or sitting for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
The following of campus specific guidelines for pandemic protocols are required.
Travel (If applicable): Yes
Supervisory Responsibility (if applicable): Yes
Working Conditions: Standard Office Environment
Training: Must complete all trainings required by Benedictine University.
Employee Benefits Package:
We are pleased to offer the following benefits to support your health, well-being, and professional growth. Please note that benefits are subject to change and eligibility requirements may apply:
- Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage to support your health needs.
- Disability Insurance: Protection for both short-term and long-term disability.
- Life Insurance: Financial security for your loved ones in case of the unexpected.
- Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and mental health days.
- Retirement Plans: Save for your future with our retirement savings options.
- Mental Health Support: Access to counseling and resources for mental well-being.
- Tuition Reimbursement: Financial support for your education and professional development.
- Financial Wellness Advisors: Personalized advice to help manage and plan your finances.
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): Confidential support for personal or work-related challenges.
Benedictine University does not discriminate in its admissions or educational policies, programs or activities; scholarship and loan programs; athletic and other University administered programs or employment practices on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, military or veteran status, marital status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The laws applicable to Benedictine University include constitutional and statutory protections of the University's rights as a religiously sponsored institution. This policy of equal employment opportunity applies to all employment and personnel practices including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, promotion, training and compensation.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. The following of campus specific guidelines for pandemic protocols are required.
Benedictine University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
