Director of Leadership Giving

Gift officers develop relationships with current and prospective donors to share the vision and mission of Carthage College for the purpose of soliciting financial support. Candidates should be familiar with the donor cycle of qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Gift officers also work closely with colleagues across the College to develop and implement key fundraising strategies. As Carthage concludes our $100 million Light that Travels campaign, key funding priorities include student scholarships, program innovation funds, and several capital projects.

Responsibilities:

• Strategically manage a portfolio of assigned donors and prospects capable of making gifts of $1,000 - $5,000 annually.
• Manage program goals for leadership giving, including individual solicitation goals for top prospects within the portfolio.
• Create and execute a moves management plan (identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship) for top prospects within the portfolio.
• Meet key performance metrics set during the annual goal setting process, including dollars raised, donor contacts, and number of solicitations.
• Secure unrestricted support for the Carthage Fund and student scholarships.
• Utilize campus events (including reunions, Homecoming, President’s Leadership Dinner, and others) to engage constituents as appropriate.
• Actively participate with colleagues in the Advancement Office and across campus to foster a culture of generosity.
• The scope of the job requires attendance at college activities, meetings, and events that may occur in the evening or on weekends.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required
• Experience: Two to five years of related professional experience in external relationship management such as sales, fundraising, recruitment, or account management.
• Understanding of higher education and familiarity with Carthage College preferred.
• Skills: Maintain excellent interpersonal skills. Trustworthy with sensitive information. Ability to identify and articulate insights regarding prospect motivations and concerns. Proven project management and analytical skills, particularly planning, managing deadlines, and evaluating progress. Able to identify and rally needed resources to execute responsibilities. Establish collaborative relationships with campus colleagues. Knowledge of constituent databases, Microsoft Office, and other computer software.
• This position requires minimal travel.

About Carthage

Located on the shore of Lake Michigan in the thriving Chicago-Milwaukee corridor, Carthage College blends the best liberal arts traditions with desirable degree programs, transformative learning opportunities, and personal attention from dedicated faculty and staff. Our beautiful campus, an 80-acre arboretum with stunning lake views, is home to 2,600 undergraduate students and 200 graduate students. Founded in 1847, Carthage is consistently named a Best Midwestern College by The Princeton Review and a Most Innovative School by U.S. News & World Report. All Carthage employees play a vital part in the success of our students, as we work together to create an environment where all can achieve their true potential. Grow with Carthage.

Carthage College is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse community. We welcome applications from a broad spectrum of people, including members of ethnic minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status or status as an individual with a disability.