Philanthropy Officer/Senior Philanthropy Officer (2 openings)

Philanthropy Officer/Senior Philanthropy Officer (2 openings) at Elmhurst University — Elmhurst, IL, US

  • Company: Elmhurst University
  • Location: Elmhurst, IL, US
  • Employment type: Full-time
  • Salary: $75,000–$90,000 a year
  • Posted: 2026-10-01

About this role

POSITION TITLE(S): Philanthropy Officer/Senior Philanthropy Officer (2 openings) Title commensurate with experience and demonstrated fundraising success.

Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Philanthropy Officer/Senior Philanthropy Officer is a direct fundraiser responsible for advancing meaningful relationships with donors, developing tailored engagement and solicitation strategies, and securing philanthropic commitments for scholarships, academic programs, capital projects, and other University priorities. The position manages a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of making major gifts of $10,000 or more and develops individualized strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward philanthropic support. The position collaborates with advancement colleagues, University leadership, and campus partners to strengthen the donor pipeline and advance the University’s mission. The Senior Philanthropy Officer is distinguished by demonstrated success managing a major or planned gift portfolio and greater independence in developing and executing complex donor strategies.

Position Status: Exempt

Reporting Relationship(s): Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Salary Range: Philanthropy Officer: $75,000-$80,000. Senior Philanthropy Officer: $85,000-$90,000. These are the expected salary ranges for these positions. Appointment level and actual salary offered will depend on a candidate's experience and education, and departmental budget.

Responsibilities

  • Manages a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects with the capacity to make gifts of $10,000 or more, ensuring consistent cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and pipeline development activities.
  • Conducts in-person visits, virtual meetings, phone calls, and written communications to build and sustain meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, parents, and friends of the University.
  • Builds and maintains a robust major gift pipeline through prospect identification, qualification, referrals, data-informed prospecting, and engagement activities.
  • Advances prospects through the fundraising cycle and achieves annual fundraising, donor contact, and portfolio activity goals established by the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
  • Prepares donor briefings, gift proposals, solicitation strategies, meeting materials, and other communications that support cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship efforts in collaboration with advancement leadership and campus partners.
  • Collaborates with colleagues across the Office of Institutional Advancement and key University leaders, faculty, athletics, and student affairs to coordinate prospect strategies, fundraising initiatives, and donor engagement opportunities.
  • Maintains consistent and proactive communication with donors and prospects, including timely follow-up on inquiries, meetings, gift acknowledgments, and stewardship activities.
  • Maintains accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation of prospect activity, strategies, and outcomes in the University's CRM system, Raiser’s Edge NXT.
  • Initiates and facilitates conversations regarding planned giving opportunities with portfolio and non-portfolio donors, as appropriate.
  • Participates in advancement events, donor engagement activities, and University programs, including evenings and weekends as needed.
  • Supports campaign initiatives and other strategic fundraising priorities as assigned.
  • Represents Elmhurst University professionally with alumni, donors, community partners, and other external stakeholders and maintains current knowledge of institutional priorities, goals, and initiatives.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Supports mission, vision and values of Elmhurst University.
  • Demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement.
  • Performs other duties and completes special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Philanthropy Officer

  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible fundraising or related experience, with demonstrated experience building donor relationships. Major gift fundraising experience preferred.
  • Ability to manage a portfolio of relationships, move donors or prospects toward increased engagement and philanthropic support, and consistently execute follow up and next steps.

Senior Philanthropy Officer

  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Minimum of 5 years of proven major gift fundraising experience, preferably in higher education.
  • Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing major or planned gifts.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently manage a major gift portfolio and develop sophisticated donor strategies.
  • Experience working effectively with senior leaders and other partners in donor cultivation and solicitation.

Both Levels

  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse donor constituencies.
  • Knowledge of donor stewardship strategies and moves management systems.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, fundraising CRMs (such as Raiser’s Edge NXT), and prospect management tools.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
  • Willingness to travel and engage in evening and weekend donor activities as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Belief in and the ability to represent the Elmhurst University mission and core values.
  • Experience in higher education or large nonprofit fundraising or comprehensive campaign environments.
  • Experience collaborating with academic leaders, volunteers, and institutional leadership in fundraising efforts.
  • Understanding of donor pipeline development strategies.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements
The essential functions of this position are primarily performed in an indoor setting with limited exposure to outdoor weather conditions. Work is often sedentary in nature and requires remaining in a stationary position for extended periods. Required abilities include speaking and hearing for in-person and virtual communication, using close and distance vision when reading documents or viewing screens, and performing tasks with repetitive fine motor skills. Work may require occasional lifting, bending, carrying, or otherwise moving objects weighing up to 15 pounds. Qualified applicants who can perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodations will be considered.

An overview of Elmhurst University benefits is available here.

Please submit cover letter, resume, and three references with contact information with online application. The references should include name, phone number and email.

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