Major Gift Officer

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is a dynamic and mission-driven position that is a vital piece to the Advancement and Development team.  The MGO will play a pivotal role in cultivating and securing significant philanthropic support to advance the college’s mission and strategic priorities.  This position involves building and nurturing relationships with alumni, parents, and friends capable of making major gifts, particularly those at the $25,000 level and above.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations
  • Valid driver’s license
Classification

Full-time [1.0 FTE]; benefits-eligible; in-person

Department

Advancement and Development

Education and/or Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree is required; advanced degree preferred
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in major gift fundraising or a related field, preferably within higher education or nonprofit organizations.
  • Proven track record of securing five and six figure gifts from individual donors, foundations, and corporations.
Essential Functions
  • Develop and implement personalized strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and deferred gift prospects.
  • Manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors, ensuring regular, meaningful interactions to deepen relationships and secure gifts.
  • Work closely with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and other team members to develop and implement fundraising strategies.
  • Collaborate with college leadership to align donor interests with institutional priorities.
  • Assist in the planning and execution of capital campaigns and other fundraising initiatives as needed by the advancement department.
  • Develop and manage fundraising objectives, schedules, and timelines in coordination with the Advancement Team.
  • Ensure timely and personalized acknowledgment of gifts, including recognition in giving societies such as the President’s Circle and Heritage Roll of Honor.
  • Provide donors with updates on the impact of their contributions, fostering a culture of gratitude and continued engagement.
  • Conduct research to identify new major gift prospects and assess their giving potential.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of donor interactions and gift histories in the college’s CRM system. (Jenzabar Advancement)
  • Strong analytical skills, analyzing past fundraising efforts and community trends to inform future strategies.
  • Serve as a member of the Advancement and Alumni team.
  • Support the mission, vision, and values of Bethel College.
  • Satisfy the duties of a Mandated Reporter relating to Title IX and the Bethel College Equal Opportunity, Harassment, & Non-Discrimination Policy and Procedures (as directed following the completion of basic employee training).
Faculty or Staff
Staff
Physical Demands
  • Minimal lifting (up to 40 lbs.) and reaching
  • Operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as telephone, calculator, copy machine, and printer for extended periods of time
  • Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one classroom or building location to another
  • Ascending and descending stairs
  • Ability to perform tasks both sitting and standing for extended periods of time
  • Ability to function well in a standard office setting
  • Medium/indoor work environment
Skills Required
  • Commitment to the mission and values of Bethel College
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.  Strong written and verbal communication.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
  • Proficiency in fundraising databases and CRM software platforms is a plus.
  • Ability to work independently and as a part of the collaborative team.
Supervisory Responsibility
  • May supervise Employment Experience student employees
Work Environment and Conditions

All the essential job functions are subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform other job-related instructions as requested by the supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation. This position description is not all-inclusive and may change at the option of the (supervisor or department head). Any major change will result in the position being reviewed for reclassification. 

Application Information

Please complete a Bethel College application and upload a cover letter, resume, and three references with contact information.

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Bethel College does not discriminate in its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities on basis of race, religion, color, sex/gender, pregnancy, political affiliation, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability (including perceived disability), age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status (including disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran, and Armed Forces Service Medal veteran), predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law. The College also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internally or externally. Reports of misconduct, questions regarding Title IX, and concerns about noncompliance should be directed to the Director of Human Resources & Compliance (Title IX Coordinator). For a complete copy of the policy or for more information, please contact the Director of Human Resources & Compliance (Title IX Coordinator) at titleixcoordinator@bethelks.edu or (316) 284-5248 or the Assistant Secretary of Education within the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Both the applicable Bethel College Policy and further information is available online.