Senior Philanthropy Officer

The mission of California Lutheran University is to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice. Founded in 1959 in beautiful Ventura County, the university has an enrollment of about 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students who come from across the nation and around the world from a diversity of backgrounds, cultures and faiths. As a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution, Cal Lutheran is looking for candidates with a dedication to and success in working in diverse communities. The university is committed to an inclusive learning and work environment that values individual differences and respects each person’s dignity.

Role Description

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts typically at the $25,000 level and above; develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for assigned prospects, working with administration, faculty, and volunteers as appropriate; meet with prospects and volunteers, traveling as necessary
• Support campaign goals through strategic management of a defined portfolio of major gift prospects and donors and advance relationships through all stages of the donor lifecycle (qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship).
• Manage an active portfolio of approximately 75 prospects and donors and maintain a strategic plan for each assigned prospect.
• Track and report progress (including contact reports, proposal status, etc.) using the University’s CRM system and established performance metrics.
• Direct research requests and provide information on University alumni, parents, and friends to qualify interest and giving potential.
• Maintain knowledge of current tax laws, investments, and planned giving opportunities; apply this knowledge in collaboration with advancement colleagues and refer to subject matter experts as appropriate.
• Assist administrators and faculty in the recognition and prioritization of institutional and departmental funding needs; keep abreast of institutional and departmental priorities, University programs, personalities, and events.
• Cultivate and present proposals to corporate and foundation prospects in coordination with advancement leadership and as appropriate to the role.
• Write or assist in drafting proposals and other materials as necessary. Develop compelling gift proposals aligned with donor interests and institutional priorities.
• Lead donor recognition and/or publicity arrangements for important gifts, programs, accomplishments, or events.
• Enlist and train campaign volunteers; suggest changes to strengthen membership of existing volunteer boards or organizations.
• Develop, evaluate, and refine plans and timetables for regional, departmental, or thematic assignments; assist with planning and/or directing cultivation events or programs.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues across University Advancement, including planned giving, advancement services, and alumni engagement, to support integrated fundraising strategies.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination equivalent to: A bachelor’s degree and five (5) years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, with demonstrated success in major gifts or related areas