Aurora University
Salary :
$90,000.00 - $100,000.00 Annually Location :
Aurora, IL Job Type:
Full-Time Staff Job Number:
202500110 College/School:
Office of Philanthropy and Engagement Opening Date:
06/26/2025 Max Number of Applicants:
50
Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.
AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples' lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.
We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found Position Purpose:
The Major Gift Officer advances Aurora University's mission by building meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, and friends to secure major gifts of $25,000 and up. Managing a dynamic portfolio of current and prospective donors, the officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic partnerships in support for student success, academic programs, and university priorities. The Major Gift Officer reports to the Director of Prospect Management and collaborates closely with colleagues across the Advancement team.
The ideal candidate is a strategic relationship-builder who thrives in a goal-oriented environment and is energized by the opportunity to help shape the future of a student-centered, Hispanic-Serving Institution with deep regional roots and growing relevance.
Evening and weekend commitments, along with travel approximately 25% of the time, are required to cultivate key relationships and represent the university at signature events.
Core Competencies:
Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University. Upholds the Mission Statement: At Aurora University, our singular goal is to empower students to achieve lasting personal and professional success. We do this by being an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and purposeful lives. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business. Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned, including voluntary participation in university committees, activities and events.
Essential Job Functions:
Manage a dynamic portfolio of prospects, with a primary focus on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts of $25,000 and up. Conduct regular, meaningful donor interactions through in-person visits, phone/video meetings, and strategic touchpoints that advance relationships and support fundraising goals. Develop tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies for each prospect, including the creation of briefing materials, proposals, and customized engagement plans. Collaborate with Advancement colleagues, academic leaders, and campus partners to align donor interests with university priorities and ensure effective stewardship. Maintain accurate and timely records of donor interactions, strategies, and proposals in the Advancement CRM system. Represent the university at donor events and campus activities. Occasional evening, weekend, and travel commitments are required. Essential Job Requirements:
Education & Experience:
Bachelor's degree required and at least three-years of demonstrated successful fundraising experience with individual donors, preferably in an academic environment, or closely aligned professional experience.
Skills:
Must understand and articulate the mission of Aurora University and the case for its support. Proven track record for successful personal solicitations or in sales is desired. Understanding of planned giving is desired. Experience with Raiser's Edge or other CRM preferred. The anticipated pay rate for this position is $90,000-$100,000 per year.
This compensation is subject to change at the sole discretion of the university, based on institutional needs.
The pay range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted amount the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The final pay rate will not be below the lowest pay rate listed herein.
Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission. Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Aurora University offers competitive, flexible benefits to eligible employees. Health Insurance Choice of HMO or PPO offered through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. Dental and Vision Insurance Choice of two dental plans and vision insurance offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield. Life Insurance and AD&D 1.5 times annual salary, dependent on age. Additional life insurance also may be purchased for self, spouse, and children. Long Term Disability 60% of salary, taxable and nontaxable options. TIAA Retirement Account The University offers a 403b retirement plan, administered by TIAA. Matching contributions offered first day of employment to eligible employees, at the discretion of the University and Board of Directors. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) FSAs are available for medical costs and dependent care costs. Paid Time Off Vacation, personal, and sick leave are provided to eligible employees. Holidays The university observes nine major holidays where the university is closed. Tuition Assistance Tuition assistance for AU undergraduate courses is available to eligible employees and eligible family members beginning the term following one (1) year of regular, full-time employment. Tuition assistance for graduate programs paid at 60% for employee following Senior Leadership approval. Tuition Exchange Consortiums AU is a member of the Tuition Exchange (TE) and the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP) enabling full-time employees and eligible family members to be eligible for tuition assistance at more than 600 universities nationwide. Eligibility for the CIC-TEP and TE programs is one (1) year of regular, full-time employment as of 8/31.
To see more benefits details and breakdowns please see our benefits guide 01
Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?
High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED) Associate degree Bachelor's degree Master's degree Professional degree Doctorate degree Doctor of Philosophy
02
How many years of professional fundraising experience do you have?
No experience Less than 1 year of experience 1 year but less than 2 years of experience 2 years but less than 3 years experience 3 or more years of experience
03
Please describe your prior experience with cultivating philanthropic partnerships. 04
Are you willing and able to travel up to 25% of the time to support fundraising efforts?
Yes No
05
Do you understand that this position is not remote and will require you to be onsite or work in a hybrid capacity within the Chicagoland area?
Yes No
Required Question
$90,000.00 - $100,000.00 Annually Location :
Aurora, IL Job Type:
Full-Time Staff Job Number:
202500110 College/School:
Office of Philanthropy and Engagement Opening Date:
06/26/2025 Max Number of Applicants:
50
Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.
AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples' lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.
We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found Position Purpose:
The Major Gift Officer advances Aurora University's mission by building meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, and friends to secure major gifts of $25,000 and up. Managing a dynamic portfolio of current and prospective donors, the officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic partnerships in support for student success, academic programs, and university priorities. The Major Gift Officer reports to the Director of Prospect Management and collaborates closely with colleagues across the Advancement team.
The ideal candidate is a strategic relationship-builder who thrives in a goal-oriented environment and is energized by the opportunity to help shape the future of a student-centered, Hispanic-Serving Institution with deep regional roots and growing relevance.
Evening and weekend commitments, along with travel approximately 25% of the time, are required to cultivate key relationships and represent the university at signature events.
Core Competencies:
Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University. Upholds the Mission Statement: At Aurora University, our singular goal is to empower students to achieve lasting personal and professional success. We do this by being an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and purposeful lives. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business. Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned, including voluntary participation in university committees, activities and events.
Essential Job Functions:
Manage a dynamic portfolio of prospects, with a primary focus on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts of $25,000 and up. Conduct regular, meaningful donor interactions through in-person visits, phone/video meetings, and strategic touchpoints that advance relationships and support fundraising goals. Develop tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies for each prospect, including the creation of briefing materials, proposals, and customized engagement plans. Collaborate with Advancement colleagues, academic leaders, and campus partners to align donor interests with university priorities and ensure effective stewardship. Maintain accurate and timely records of donor interactions, strategies, and proposals in the Advancement CRM system. Represent the university at donor events and campus activities. Occasional evening, weekend, and travel commitments are required. Essential Job Requirements:
Education & Experience:
Bachelor's degree required and at least three-years of demonstrated successful fundraising experience with individual donors, preferably in an academic environment, or closely aligned professional experience.
Skills:
Must understand and articulate the mission of Aurora University and the case for its support. Proven track record for successful personal solicitations or in sales is desired. Understanding of planned giving is desired. Experience with Raiser's Edge or other CRM preferred. The anticipated pay rate for this position is $90,000-$100,000 per year.
This compensation is subject to change at the sole discretion of the university, based on institutional needs.
The pay range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted amount the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The final pay rate will not be below the lowest pay rate listed herein.
Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission. Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Aurora University offers competitive, flexible benefits to eligible employees. Health Insurance Choice of HMO or PPO offered through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. Dental and Vision Insurance Choice of two dental plans and vision insurance offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield. Life Insurance and AD&D 1.5 times annual salary, dependent on age. Additional life insurance also may be purchased for self, spouse, and children. Long Term Disability 60% of salary, taxable and nontaxable options. TIAA Retirement Account The University offers a 403b retirement plan, administered by TIAA. Matching contributions offered first day of employment to eligible employees, at the discretion of the University and Board of Directors. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) FSAs are available for medical costs and dependent care costs. Paid Time Off Vacation, personal, and sick leave are provided to eligible employees. Holidays The university observes nine major holidays where the university is closed. Tuition Assistance Tuition assistance for AU undergraduate courses is available to eligible employees and eligible family members beginning the term following one (1) year of regular, full-time employment. Tuition assistance for graduate programs paid at 60% for employee following Senior Leadership approval. Tuition Exchange Consortiums AU is a member of the Tuition Exchange (TE) and the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP) enabling full-time employees and eligible family members to be eligible for tuition assistance at more than 600 universities nationwide. Eligibility for the CIC-TEP and TE programs is one (1) year of regular, full-time employment as of 8/31.
To see more benefits details and breakdowns please see our benefits guide 01
Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?
High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED) Associate degree Bachelor's degree Master's degree Professional degree Doctorate degree Doctor of Philosophy
02
How many years of professional fundraising experience do you have?
No experience Less than 1 year of experience 1 year but less than 2 years of experience 2 years but less than 3 years experience 3 or more years of experience
03
Please describe your prior experience with cultivating philanthropic partnerships. 04
Are you willing and able to travel up to 25% of the time to support fundraising efforts?
Yes No
05
Do you understand that this position is not remote and will require you to be onsite or work in a hybrid capacity within the Chicagoland area?
Yes No
Required Question