The Development Officer for Special Initiatives primary function for Delaware State University’s Division of Institutional Advancement is to support the work of building a pipeline of donors for the university. He/she has responsibility for implementing the comprehensive work required to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward potential donors among the University’s constituencies, including alumni, faculty, staff, retirees, parents, students, friends of the University and some corporations and foundations. The position plays a vital role in supporting the Division of Institutional Advancement’s work toward strategic fundraising goals for the Schwartz Theater, Athletics, and the Academic Colleges. The position reports to the AVP for Institutional Advancement.
Essential Functions & Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The following are the functions essential to performing this job:
Identifies prospective individual donors and solicitation strategies.
Oversees the development and implementation of prospect moves management for personal prospect list of potential donors.
Assists with management of various fundraising activities and events.
Utilizes Raiser’s Edge to track actions on each prospect in a timely, accurate and complete fashion; maintains appropriate records, reports and analyses as required.
Maintains a regular schedule to visit and engage identified prospects.
Develops solicitation strategies for each assigned prospect, ensuring regular and systematic contact.
Assists in creating communiqués in multiple mediums to promote donations to the University as well as to keep assigned prospects informed about DSU’s successes.
Assists in the strategic fundraising efforts of the University; works closely with major gift officers, annual fund officers and senior development leadership to develop and maintain a pipeline of giving prospects.
Assists the unit in creating, organizing and implementing fundraising campaigns.
Remains current with fundraising tools and techniques. Recommends new approaches and tools for prospect and donor development.
Assist in identification of, writing and developing grants.
Meet and exceeds strategic fundraising goals.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Skills and Abilities: The individual in this job must possess these skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that they can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.
Understanding of fundraising.
Proficiency in recognizing wealth indicators (locating relevant information from text, electronic, and human resources) and translating wealth indicators into prospect ratings.
Knowledge of donor types and gift vehicles used in basic fundraising.
Must maintain a professional appearance.
Must have valid driver’s license and be willing to travel.
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to function with a high degree of independent initiative.
Strong organizational skills and ability to meet goals.
Proven experience as a successful team member.
Ability to work evenings and weekends.
Qualification Standards
Bachelor’s degree required and two years relevant experience.
Experience working with research database systems or fundraising software.
Experience in analyzing data and preparing appropriate reports.
Proven ability to work well under pressure, pay attention to details, meet frequent deadlines, and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
Proven ability with maintaining confidentiality and the ethical gathering of information.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as strong interpersonal and customer service skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft applications and computer literacy.
ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS :
Experience in working with The Raiser’s Edge and Wealth Point prospect management system as well as analytic software.
Previous experience in prospect research, prospect management, and/or data analysis.
Prior experience in college or university fundraising.
EEO Statement
Delaware State University is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic global community. The University is dedicated to enhancing diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment and employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. The University is committed to achieving a diverse faculty and staff and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply.
Equal opportunity employer/program” and “auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities”.
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