Major and Planned Giving Officer

Fountain Valley School, a selective and diverse boarding school, educates 250 students in grades 9–12 on a beautiful 1,100-acre campus in Colorado Springs, CO. Founded in 1930, the School provides a rigorous, global curriculum in academics, arts, athletics, and the outdoors.

The Opportunity:

The Major and Planned Giving Officer assists in planning and implementing activities to meet the long-term goal of building Fountain Valley School’s endowment through planned gifts, as well as raising current support for operations, and the Summit 2030 Campaign, and other special initiatives. The Major and Planned Giving Officer meets with donors and prospects to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward planned and major gifts, working as part of a collaborative team across the Fountain Valley School Advancement Office. This position reports to the Director of Advancement and supports all activities related to FVS’s major gifts program and Campaign. This position is expected to spend as much time as possible visiting, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors and prospects.

Position Responsibilities include:

• Manage a portfolio of 125 major and planned giving prospects and donors, including:
• Planned giving prospects and donors to secure and formalize their planned gifts and to deepen their relationships with FVS, as well as build FVS’s endowment
• Potential and current major gift and restricted gift donors to support current operations, the Summit 2030 Campaign, endowment, and special giving opportunities
• Case Serena level and higher ($1,930 ) annual gift donors
• Conduct face to face visits with Elizabeth Sage Hare Society members/prospects and major planned gift prospects – approximately 50% planned giving, 50% major donor
• Develop written proposals, illustrations, gift agreements, renewal letters, and other donor communications
• Develop strategies and execute marketing plans to promote planned gifts among FVS constituents through mail, surveys, web, e-mail, and print media
• Participate in major and planned gift donor events for FVS, including planning, execution, and speaking roles, as required
• Work with the Director of Advancement to coordinate activities among development and school staff to ensure that fundraising efforts are cooperative
• Serve as an active member of FVS Advancement team, including participating in planning meetings, retreats, task forces, and as liaison to FVS content areas
• Document donor contacts in donor management / CRM system following established protocols
• Provide regular reports on prospect management and fundraising results
• Regularly travel to serve donors across Colorado and nationally
• Other duties as assigned

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Experience discussing legacy giving or estate planning with donors (or clients)
• Experience cultivating and closing charitable gifts of five figures or higher, or working with clients in estate or financial planning
• Experience developing and implementing multi-media marketing
• Must have a valid Colorado Driver's License

Required Skills, Qualities, and Abilities:

• The ability to move individuals through a process of developing deeper appreciation for the mission of an organization and increasing their giving
• Excellent phone skills; adept in developing trust and rapport over the telephone
• Persuasive communication with excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated successful project management ability
• Ability to understand the importance of and maintain confidentiality
• Exceptional attention to detail and follow-through
• Ability and eagerness to work collaboratively and effectively with colleagues in multiple departments/divisions
• Strong service ethic
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or comparable software
• Self-motivation and cooperativeness
• Ability to handle multiple projects, prioritize, and employ time management skills
• Ability to participate in donor events, including occasional evenings and weekends, and travel to donor meetings throughout Colorado and occasionally out of state
• Ability to driver FVS vehicles and follow safety guidelines
• Ability to develop strategic long-term donor relationships while achieving bottom-line results
• Strong interest in enriching minds, nourishing spirits, enhancing lives, expanding the perspectives of audiences, and assisting in strengthening our community

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Five or more years of experience in prospect management, donor cultivation, and solicitation
• Strong cultural competence and experience with diverse communities
• Experience with fundraising databases and CRM software
• Experience with Crescendo or PG Calc planned gift illustrations and software
• Experience working closely with high net-worth individuals, families, and professional advisors
• • Knowledge of estate planning techniques and principles

Working Conditions:

• Environment: indoor office working with some outdoor events with some travel
• Physical demands: able to sit and stand for at least 8 hours per day; must be able to lift 20 lbs.
• Proficiency in LMS Blackbaud OnCampus and Google Educational Suite Apps preferred.

Salary: $75,000 - $85,000

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Short and Long term Disability, EAP, Life Insurance

Application Deadline: February 19, 2025