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

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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…