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Human Resources

Leadership Gift Officer

Reporting to the Director of Annual Giving, the Leadership Gift Officer assists in the design and implementation of the leadership giving program at Illinois Wesleyan University. This role provides consistent strategic contact with assigned prospects and donors to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward them for leadership level gifts ($1,000 or more) to the Wesleyan Fund, and builds a pipeline of future major gift donors.  This is a full time; hybrid/remote within Illinois state will be considered.  Generous benefits include health, retirement, considerable time off and access to multiple tuition scholarship programs for employees and dependents.

 

Responsibilities:

  • Identify, cultivate and solicit a portfolio of alumni annual donors; manage relationships with donors through primarily in-person visits with some virtual correspondence; contribute to pipeline development by identifying new major gift prospects and upgraded gifts; collaborate with the Director of Annual Giving in developing strategic appeals to leadership donor segment
  • Maintain appropriate records and follow-up analyses of all personal visit and solicitation efforts; maintain records, statistics, and analyses of program performance; develop stewardship plans to maintain ongoing relationships with donors; meet leadership giving goals
  • Participate in departmental events and activities to support overall Advancement goals; research best practices for leadership donor engagement and acquisition; present creative and cost-effective ideas to grown annual giving revenue; actively participate in department and alumni relations activities as requested or required (i.e. Homecoming, Family Weekend and All-In for Wesleyan) 

Requirements: 

  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • Minimum of two years relevant experience; preference for higher education, annual giving, or non-profit fundraising
  • Knowledge of donor database systems (Slate, Salesforce, Advance, Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud, etc.)
  • Travel up to 20% of the time/approx. 4 days a month; in-state Illinois and some national
  • Occasional evening and weekend hours
  • Valid driver’s license

 

Application Information:

Please submit a cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references. Please download the application at www.iwu.edu/human-resources/Positions.html.

 

Review of applicant materials will begin immediately; position is open until filled.  Submit to:

hr@iwu.edu

Illinois Wesleyan University
Human Resources, Holmes 209
1312 N. Park Street
Bloomington, IL  61701 

Phone: (309) 556-3536
Fax:  (309) 556-1710 

 

The final candidate will pass a pre-employment background investigation.  Employee must reside in Illinois.

 

$55-$60k, based on experience

 

An overview of IWU benefits can be found here. Illinois Wesleyan University does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term.

Illinois Wesleyan University is committed to recruiting, supporting, and fostering a diverse, inclusive, and civil community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students. We seek candidates who have a demonstrated commitment to supporting and further building our community in these dimensions. Illinois Wesleyan University is an EEO Employer.  Illinois Wesleyan University’s sexual misconduct policy may be accessed at www.iwu.edu/human-resources/SexualMisconductPolicy.html.  Illinois Wesleyan University is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusive excellence; details at www.iwu.edu/diversity.