Laboratory Schools : Philanthropy Officer, Major Gifts

Philanthropy Officer For Major Gifts

The Alumni Relations and Development department at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools (Lab) is recruiting talented and energetic advancement professionals in preparation for the schools' next campaign. During the University's Inquiry and Impact campaign and through its Lab+ initiative, the Schools secured more than $97 million in charitable contributions. The Philanthropy Officer for Major Gifts (MGO) will play an important revenue-generating role for annual giving and for priorities in the next comprehensive capital and endowment campaign. Reporting to the Director of Development / Campaign Manager (DOD), the MGO will be a part of a fundraising team's efforts to seek Leadership Family five-figure annual gifts and major gifts of $100,000 or more for capital, endowment, operational (Fund for Fund) or special projects. The MGO will collaborate with the Director of Development and the Associate Director of Schools for ARD to establish ambitious but achievable annual fundraising, proposal / solicitation and visit goals.

Responsibilities include :

• Identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and maintaining a portfolio of current Lab parents who have the capacity to contribute $10,000, $25,000, and more to the Fund for Lab or other budget-relieving priorities.
• Identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and maintaining a portfolio of parents, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, and others who have the capacity to contribute $100,000 or more to Lab.
• Creating a robust schedule of qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits, in-person and virtual, with donors and donor prospects. A key component of this role is the qualification, via discovery visits, with individuals to expand Lab's major gift pool, particularly among Chicagoland alumni.
• Developing and implementing compelling engagement strategies to inspire high net worth individuals to maximize their philanthropic engagement with Lab.
• Raising donor sights, articulating aspirational goals and ideas, presenting philanthropic opportunities in a compelling manner and closing gifts.
• Promoting gift planning techniques via major gift visits and other outreach.
• Building knowledge and communicating effectively, both in writing and in meetings, about a range of Lab programs, priorities, and initiatives.
• Serving on Lab's Major Gifts team.
• Assisting the Associate Director of Schools for ARD, the DOD and other University ARD gift officers with strategy and solicitation partnerships when necessary.
• Participating in Lab ARD events and assisting with the recruitment of participants in and sponsors of those events. Examples include Dewey Dance, Connections, new Family receptions, alumni events, etc.
• Seeking out professional development opportunities to bring best practices in major gifts to Lab and will enhance job performance. Includes attending webinars, seminars, and building networks within the University and with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Assisting with ARD office functions, as assigned.
• Identifying, analyzing, and qualifying donor interest to maximize giving. Helps with overall planning efforts for the University's most important prospects. Works independently to develop communication strategies for projects, including publications and public presentations.
• Working with Senior Leadership, Officers and Deans to design strategic objectives and action steps that will lead to the successful realization of these projects.
• Performing other related work as needed.

Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in a related field and 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline. Preferred qualifications include a bachelor's degree, a minimum of five years or more of fundraising experience and / or relevant sales / marketing experience, and major gift experience at independent schools, higher education or not-for-profit organizations. Proficient with fundraising databases and reporting tools such as Blackbaud products or Salesforce is also preferred.

Working conditions include a standard office environment, travel to campus for Lab Schools business, and work evenings and weekends on occasion. Application documents required include a resume / CV and cover letter. The job family is Alumni Relations & Development, and the role impact is individual contributor. The scheduled weekly hours are 40, and the job is exempt with a pay range of $85,000.00 - $100,000.00. Benefits are eligible, and the University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees. The University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.