Major Gift Officer - Kalamazoo College at Another Source in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Job Description:

Another Source’s client, Kalamazoo College, is recruiting a Major Gifts Officer to join their team onsite in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (Internally, this position is titled Assistant Director of Development.) 

Here’s a little about Kalamazoo College and the position they are recruiting for:   

The division of College Advancement is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff and cultivating a culture of inclusion and connectedness. We aim to create a welcoming workplace that celebrates the diversity of our staff, alumni and donors. Kalamazoo College is a community of students, faculty, staff and alumni who are committed to making an exceptional place to learn, live, and work. Kalamazoo College is committed to a sense of belonging and strives to support inclusivity. Individuals who share similar commitments are invited to apply for employment.  

Kalamazoo College is a highly selective nationally regarded liberal arts college, offering an integrated undergraduate experience that weaves a traditional liberal arts curriculum into educational experiences in both domestic and international settings with the majority of our graduates participating in study abroad. Kalamazoo College is committed to the liberal arts and sciences, experiential education, freedom of individual conscience and celebration of diversity and inclusion. It is one of the nation’s 100 oldest colleges and universities and a thought leader and innovator in higher education. 

Learn more about Kalamazoo here: https://www.kzoo.edu/about/  

What you will be doing:  

The Major Gifts Officer is a vital part of Kalamazoo College’s Advancement team, focusing on securing annual, major, and planned gifts from alumni, parents, and friends with significant giving potential. This role involves managing a geographically diverse portfolio, developing strategic donor engagement plans, and collaborating across the College to support fundraising goals.  

This position offers a unique opportunity to learn and grow into a successful major gift officer without needing extensive prior experience in major gifts. With a strong emphasis on professional development, you'll gain valuable skills in relationship building and donor cultivation, essential for success in fundraising.  

How you will spend your time: 

Portfolio Management & Donor Engagement: 

Cultivate and manage a geographically diverse portfolio of major and planned gift donors.  

Meet with donors to solicit gifts and achieve annual fundraising targets. 

Strategic Planning & Execution: 

Design and implement tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to align with institutional priorities and maximize donor contributions. 

Collaboration & Coordination: 

Work closely with Advancement colleagues, faculty, coaches, and administrators to ensure cohesive donor relations.  

Assist in creating fund agreements and memorandums of understanding in collaboration with donors and staff. 

Documentation & Reporting: 

Maintain accurate and detailed donor records, including contact reports, itineraries, and expense reports.  

Collaborate with Prospect Management and Research to keep donor profiles comprehensive and up to date. 

Event Support & Participation: 

Play an active role in key events such as Homecoming, Commencement, and other donor-related activities, providing planning and on-site support as needed. 

Continuous Learning & Development: 

Stay current with trends in development by participating in professional development activities, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the fundraising team. 

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree required.   

• Demonstrated success in fundraising with a minimum of three years of experience, preferably in higher education.   

• Willingness and ability to travel 50% of the time and to work evening and weekend hours in addition to the regular weekday schedule as needed.   

• Ability to forge strong working relationships with others and a capacity for engaging confidence and trust among colleagues and donors.   

What’s in it for you: 

Kalamazoo College offers a comprehensive benefits package for fulltime staff. Learn more about the benefits here: https://hr.kzoo.edu/benefits/  

Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination:  

An equal opportunity employer, Kalamazoo College is committed to equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal protection under the law.  The College administers its programs without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, national origin, height, weight, marital status, physical disability as protected by law, or sexual orientation.  The College’s definition of sexual orientation proscribes discrimination based on a person’s sexuality, or gender identity, actual or presumed.  

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.