Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

People Strategy, Equity, and Culture

Major Gifts Officer

  • Title: Major Gift Officer
  • Class: Academic Professional
  • Exempt Status: Exempt
  • Level: 5

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Director, the Major Gift Officer is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gift donors (currently $25,000 and above). This can include the constituents of individuals, faculty/staff/retirees, alumni, organizations, private foundations and businesses/corporations, as assigned by the PCC Foundation. Major Gift Officers are pivotal development positions on the Foundation team, working collaboratively with all Foundation staff in initiating and growing philanthropy for scholarship funds, key fundraising events, and priority fundraising initiatives. The Major Gift Officer matches college funding priorities and projects with donor interests, builds industry and community partnerships, and provides strategic guidance and support to faculty/staff on fundraising projects as assigned and appropriate to the specific job duties.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Manages a portfolio of prospective and current donors with measurable outcomes for activities. This includes meeting metrics for qualifying, cultivating and soliciting significant contributions in support of the College’s and Foundation’s mission and vision.
  2. Sets up, facilitates and devises strategies for face–to-face meetings with donors.  Identifies donor philanthropic interests, shares giving opportunities, and closes gifts. Works closely with the Development and Operations Team to advance donor relationships, drive new/renewed giving, coordinate gift arrangements and documentation, and oversees stewardship of assigned donors.
  3. Advises and provides advance preparation for college leadership (e.g. College President, Associate VP of College Advancement, and Campus Presidents), volunteers (Foundation Board or committee members), Development Director and other college staff. This includes defining meeting objectives, writing talking points, creating donor proposals, writing donor correspondence, and organizing collateral materials as needed.
  4. As assigned, may serve as the lead staff for sponsor solicitations and event planning, including, but not limited to, PCC Golf Invitational and its volunteer committee, the annual PCC Foundation Gala, Foundation Board committee meetings and events, etc.
  5. As assigned, may oversee and implement foundation grant activity including preparing proposals, reports, and correspondence to support targeted college programs or initiatives. Manages relationships with assigned foundation donors.
  6. Works with the Development Director as appropriate in response to inquiries and requests for fundraising support from college programs.
  7. Maintains accurate and timely records/contact reports of all interactions with donors utilizing fundraising database and other tracking sheets as needed. Analyzes donor data and giving trends as needed to grow contributions.
  8. Develops ideas and implements stewardship steps to creatively recognize donors in ways that reflect the PCC Foundation brand and mission.
  9. Inspires and maintains positive relationships and communications with Foundation and Advancement colleagues to strengthen donor relationships and philanthropic giving to PCC.
  10. Functions as a resource and supporting team member on Foundation and Advancement events.
  11. Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work is generally performed in an office environment. Recurring early/late hours (weekend/early morning/evening meetings).  Travel between campuses requires the ability to drive and use of a personal vehicle.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in business, non-profit management, marketing, social sciences or related field. Relevant experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. In addition, five years of professional level fundraising experience in a higher education institution or non-profit setting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:
  • Effective major gift fundraising techniques and practices;
  • Volunteer management techniques;
  • Association of Fundraising Professionals code of ethical conduct.
Skills in:
  • Computer proficiency in using standard software programs, fundraising databases and utilizing database reports;
  • Leveraging successful fundraising and major donor cultivation events;
  • Prioritizing and managing multiple donor meetings and relationships at varying stages.
Ability to:
  • Work with an ethnically and culturally diverse population;
  • Prioritize and manage multiple projects, resolve problems and make decisions;
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills;
  • Strong interpersonal skills for building lasting donor relationships;
  • Positive attitude and collaborative style that fosters workplace excellence and collegial staff support;
  • Deepen donors’ connection to the institution via philanthropy and other engagement with the College.

Reviewed: 12/2018

  • Revised: 1/25/2013; 10/17/2014
  • Replaces: Major Gifts Officer – Corporate and Foundation Relations