At the PSU Foundation, we believe in the power of higher education to transform lives. We are a mission-driven organization focused on advancing Portland State University through relationships, community connections and philanthropy. As part of our team, you’ll join a group of passionate, committed and engaged individuals working to empower students, faculty and the communities we serve. Join us.

The Opportunity

We are recruiting for a frontline fundraiser who will advance strong philanthropic relationships and fundraising outcomes. We will be hiring at either an Assistant or Associate Director of Development, depending on experience. This role will work collaboratively with other foundation employees, university faculty and administration to plan and implement solicitation strategies.

This position will be responsible for securing support for University priorities, and will work with the development team that collaborate with and advance support for the following unit pods: College of the Arts (COTA), College of Education (COE), College of Urban and Public Affairs (CUPA), Honors College (HON) and Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA)

Duties & Responsibilities

• Increase gift revenue while broadening the funnel for major and principal gifts.
• Develop and maintain strong identification, qualification, engagement, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship approaches for key constituencies (alumni, prospective donors, current donors).
• Prioritize high value opportunities to engage donors in making transformational differences in the lives of students, faculty, programs and learning spaces.
• Participate in annual and strategic development planning that continuously improves fundraising and engagement.
• Coordinate or manage projects related to development opportunities and programs.
• Attend and assist with development-related events.
• Positively represent the PSU Foundation and the University in public and professional ways.
• Other duties as assigned.

Measures of Success

• Meet or exceed frontline fundraising metrics, including (but not limited to) face-to-face visits, submitted/funded proposals, individual and unit fundraising goals.
• Effective portfolio management through all phases of the donor cultivation cycle.
  • Assistant Director of Development: Special emphasis on cultivating and soliciting gifts and grants of $5K or more.
  • Associate Director of Development: Special emphasis on cultivating and soliciting gifts and grants of $25K or more.
• Effective relationship management both internally with PSU/F partners/units and externally with donors/prospects.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced degree, or CFRE preferred for Director level development positions.
• Relevant fundraising experience:
  • Assistant Director of Development: Minimum of two to three years of relevant fundraising experience, including proven success in securing four-figure gifts and grants, or relative experience in other fields
  • Associate Director of Development: Minimum three to five years of relevant fundraising experience, including proven success in securing five-figure gifts and grants.
• Experience in higher education preferred, particularly fundraising for a large, public institution or comparably complex organization with multiple stakeholders.
• Familiarity with and a strong commitment to data using CRM and/or donor databases required. Additional training will be provided.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Requirements

Communication and Collaboration

• Ability to create and collaborate within an equitable and inclusive team environment, and to communicate effectively within the context of diverse behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, coaching and conflict resolution skills that lead with a commitment to diverse people and ideas.
• Excellent communication, including demonstrated ability to articulate the importance of education and the power of philanthropy in writing, one-on-one, and in group settings.

Fundraising Skills

• Demonstrated ability to remain current in the field, identify trends, challenges, opportunities, solutions and strategies
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships, both internal and external to the organization and at every level, including a commitment to forming connections with constituents that are collaborative and multi-faceted. (Rope not thread)
• Ability to make strong decisions that are informed, ethical, strategic and have a positive impact.
• Experience in, and/or interest in growing specific skills in major gift fundraising such as familiarity with planned giving, corporate relationship management, private foundation support, etc.

Project Management and Technology:

• Self-motivated and organized, requiring little guidance to tackle projects, tasks and priorities, including the ability to manage multiple and sometimes competing deadlines and priorities simultaneously.
• Discretion related to confidential information and a commitment to the appropriate use of data in service to PSU/PSUF.
• Demonstrated proficiency with technology, including experience using Microsoft Office, Google Applications, Adobe Sign and other paperless management tools. Experience with expense and financial management systems is a plus.
• Demonstrate reliable, regular and predictable work attendance.
• Self-motivated and require little guidance to tackle projects, tasks and priorities.
• Ability to create and collaborate within an equitable and inclusive team environment, and to communicate effectively within the context of diverse behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.

Other Essential Information

• Department: Development
• Work Days/Hours: Full Time, 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday
• Work Type: We currently have a hybrid work model at the PSU Foundation. All Development positions will be required to work at least 16-24 hours/week on Portland State University campus and the remainder of the work week may be worked remotely in Oregon or Washington.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual Compensation (dependent on experience):
  • Assistant Director of Development: $55,000 – 61,500
  • Associate Director of Development: $61,500 – 70,000
• Full Time Employee Benefits: We are proud to say that we have one of the leading benefit packages for Nonprofit organizations in Oregon. Highlights of our benefits package includes:
  • 100% employer paid medical coverage on our “base-plan” for employee coverage. Two additional buy-up plans are offered.
  • 34 days of paid time off every year available after a 90-day initial employment period
  • 11 company paid holidays
  • Up to 12% employer contributions to an eligible employee’s 401(k) plan
  • Employer paid Long Term Disability and Life Insurance coverage
  • Eligibility to Portland State University affiliated employee benefits
  • For a full list of our awesome full-time employee benefits, please visit: https://www.psuf.org/careers

PSU Foundation is an EEO employer. To learn more about the foundation, our strategic direction and our financial impacts, please visit: https://www.psuf.org/about-psu-foundation