Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Position Summary:
A member of a dynamic and close-knit development team, the Development Officer cultivates relationships with donors and prospects with capacity to make $50,000+ to the seminary's $65M Abundant Spirit campaign. Primary responsibilities include creating and implementing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for assigned prospects; planning and executing campaign cultivation and prospect identification events in assigned territories; managing volunteers; participating in seminary events such as class reunions and commencement; and, participating in development team prospect management and staff meetings.
Required Education and Experience Bachelor's degree 5+ years experience successfully cultivating and soliciting major gifts for higher education or non-profit organizations Knowledge of CRM and prospect management systems Preferred Education and Experience
Theological education and/or experience working in a seminary or similar setting Familiarity with planned giving Knowledge of Jenzabar database products Essential functions and responsibilities:
Serve as a development officer for the seminary, traveling extensively, including overnight, to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors. Manage a personal portfolio of 125 major gift prospects Make minimum 120 face-to-face visits with major donor prospects in the first year; 170 visits in subsequent years Achieve yearly solicitation and gift commitment goals (goals to be determined in consultation with the Vice-President for Development and through the department's annual planning process). Provide stewardship for major donors in assigned portfolio. Coordinate donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship events throughout the year. Work collaboratively with the vice president for development, other members of the development staff, and the seminary community to bring fund raising success to the seminary. Complete donor visit reports in a timely manner Complete travel expense reports in a timely manner Execute other duties as assigned by the Vice-President Success factors/job competencies:
Passion and belief in Garrett-Evangelical's mission High degree of personal integrity and commitment to ethical development practices Self-starter who is motivated by setting and achieving defined goals. Excellent organizational and communication skills. A sense of humor Comfort with ambiguity Ability to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle: 1) initiate contacts with potential major donors, 2) develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them, 3) move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure, 4) make solicitations when appropriate; and 5) maintain stewardship contacts with donors. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and equivalent software, especially Word and Excel Previous experience with CRM/databases Ability to communicate effectively internally and externally by email and texting Comfort with communicating through social media channels Comfort with strategic and ethical use of AI Willingness to travel extensively and work some evenings and weekends.
A member of a dynamic and close-knit development team, the Development Officer cultivates relationships with donors and prospects with capacity to make $50,000+ to the seminary's $65M Abundant Spirit campaign. Primary responsibilities include creating and implementing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for assigned prospects; planning and executing campaign cultivation and prospect identification events in assigned territories; managing volunteers; participating in seminary events such as class reunions and commencement; and, participating in development team prospect management and staff meetings.
Required Education and Experience Bachelor's degree 5+ years experience successfully cultivating and soliciting major gifts for higher education or non-profit organizations Knowledge of CRM and prospect management systems Preferred Education and Experience
Theological education and/or experience working in a seminary or similar setting Familiarity with planned giving Knowledge of Jenzabar database products Essential functions and responsibilities:
Serve as a development officer for the seminary, traveling extensively, including overnight, to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors. Manage a personal portfolio of 125 major gift prospects Make minimum 120 face-to-face visits with major donor prospects in the first year; 170 visits in subsequent years Achieve yearly solicitation and gift commitment goals (goals to be determined in consultation with the Vice-President for Development and through the department's annual planning process). Provide stewardship for major donors in assigned portfolio. Coordinate donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship events throughout the year. Work collaboratively with the vice president for development, other members of the development staff, and the seminary community to bring fund raising success to the seminary. Complete donor visit reports in a timely manner Complete travel expense reports in a timely manner Execute other duties as assigned by the Vice-President Success factors/job competencies:
Passion and belief in Garrett-Evangelical's mission High degree of personal integrity and commitment to ethical development practices Self-starter who is motivated by setting and achieving defined goals. Excellent organizational and communication skills. A sense of humor Comfort with ambiguity Ability to participate in all aspects of the gift cycle: 1) initiate contacts with potential major donors, 2) develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them, 3) move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure, 4) make solicitations when appropriate; and 5) maintain stewardship contacts with donors. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and equivalent software, especially Word and Excel Previous experience with CRM/databases Ability to communicate effectively internally and externally by email and texting Comfort with communicating through social media channels Comfort with strategic and ethical use of AI Willingness to travel extensively and work some evenings and weekends.