Q - Major Gifts 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.

Position Summary:

The Major Gifts Officer assists in planning and implementing activities to meet the long-term goal of building Fountain Valley School’s endowment through raising current support for operations, and the Summit 2030 Campaign, and other special initiatives. The Major Gifts Officer meets with donors and prospects to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward 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. As much time as possible is expected to be spent visiting with, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors and prospects.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Manage a portfolio of 125 major gift prospects and donors to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward supporters, including:
• 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
• Develop written proposals, illustrations, gift agreements, renewal letters, and other donor communications
• Participate in major 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
• Regular and reliable attendance
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge and Skills:

• 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), Google suite or comparable software
• Experience with fundraising data bases and CRM software, preferred
• Experience with Crescendo and PG Calc planned gift illustrations and software, preferred
• Knowledge of estate planning techniques and principles.
• 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 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

Education, License and Experience Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Five or more years of experience in prospect management, donor cultivation and solicitation
• Strong Cultural competence and experience with diverse communities
• Experience discussing legacy giving or estate planning with donors (or clients)
• Experience cultivating and closing charitable gifts of five figures or higher
• Experience developing and implementing multi-media marketing
• Possess or ability to obtain a Colorado Driver’s license within 30 days
• Experience working in a boarding/day school environment preferred.

Working Conditions:

• Environment: Working indoor office with some outdoor events and some travel.
• Physical demands: Must be able to sit, stand, and walk 8 hours per day; must be ablt to lift 20 lbs;
• Proficiency in LMS Blackbaud OnCampus and Google Educational Suite Apps preferred.
• Working Relationships: Students, parents, alumni, outside vendors, potential donors and all other employees

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Short and Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, Retirement with 8% match, EAP, Access to gym, trails and pool.

Salary: $90,000 to $100,000

Application Deadline: March 13, 2025