Major Gifts Officer
USM Foundation
Job Description
The USM Foundation is in the public phase and final year of a $46M comprehensive campaign and seeks a
dynamic, experienced major gifts officer to be a dedicated frontline fundraiser managing a portfolio of 100-150
donors and prospects. The ideal candidate will be an experienced major gifts fundraiser with a track record of
soliciting and closing 5- to 7-figure gifts. The major gifts officer will be a creative relationship-builder who will
make an immediate impact in the campaign while simultaneously helping to build a pipeline of future major
donors.
The mission of the USM Foundation is to serve as a catalyst for transformation at the University of Southern
Maine. Now in our third decade of service, the Foundation is pursuing new and innovative ways to strengthen
scholarship programs, raise capital and achieve ambitious goals, as we help to fuel transformation at the
University of Southern Maine. The Foundation employs an experienced and resourceful team dedicated to
supporting the success of the University. The Foundation is an independent, nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization
governed by a Board of Directors, which has full responsibility for the Foundation’s strategic direction and
advancement efforts. In service to our mission, our culture and our values are at the center of what we do.
Our work cadence is sustained by our focus on play and rest. In our interactions with one another and our
constituencies, we are respectful, and we are light. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. We find that an
approach of “going lighter,” being playful and finding humor yields better outcomes and we have more fun in
the process.
The Foundation provides a very robust benefits package, and we expect people to utilize them. Benefits include
four weeks paid vacation, twelve paid holidays, paid parental leave, 401(K) retirement plan and profit sharing.
Health benefits include extremely generous medical, dental, vision and life insurance plans. We highly
encourage and support ongoing professional development.
Job Title: Major Gifts Officer
Reports To: Director of Major and Planned Gifts
Salary Range: $85,000 - $90,000/year depending on experience
Summary: The Major Gifts Officer is an externally facing position responsible for developing and implementing
strategies to ensure the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals, corporations, and
foundations that provide significant philanthropic support to the Foundation ($25,000 and above). Reporting to
the Director of Major and Planned Gifts, the Major Gifts Officer works closely with the Executive Director of
Development and collaborates with other Foundation and University leadership and colleagues. Duties and
Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Cultivate and solicit major and planned gifts – 70%
dynamic, experienced major gifts officer to be a dedicated frontline fundraiser managing a portfolio of 100-150
donors and prospects. The ideal candidate will be an experienced major gifts fundraiser with a track record of
soliciting and closing 5- to 7-figure gifts. The major gifts officer will be a creative relationship-builder who will
make an immediate impact in the campaign while simultaneously helping to build a pipeline of future major
donors.
The mission of the USM Foundation is to serve as a catalyst for transformation at the University of Southern
Maine. Now in our third decade of service, the Foundation is pursuing new and innovative ways to strengthen
scholarship programs, raise capital and achieve ambitious goals, as we help to fuel transformation at the
University of Southern Maine. The Foundation employs an experienced and resourceful team dedicated to
supporting the success of the University. The Foundation is an independent, nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization
governed by a Board of Directors, which has full responsibility for the Foundation’s strategic direction and
advancement efforts. In service to our mission, our culture and our values are at the center of what we do.
Our work cadence is sustained by our focus on play and rest. In our interactions with one another and our
constituencies, we are respectful, and we are light. We don’t take ourselves too seriously. We find that an
approach of “going lighter,” being playful and finding humor yields better outcomes and we have more fun in
the process.
The Foundation provides a very robust benefits package, and we expect people to utilize them. Benefits include
four weeks paid vacation, twelve paid holidays, paid parental leave, 401(K) retirement plan and profit sharing.
Health benefits include extremely generous medical, dental, vision and life insurance plans. We highly
encourage and support ongoing professional development.
Job Title: Major Gifts Officer
Reports To: Director of Major and Planned Gifts
Salary Range: $85,000 - $90,000/year depending on experience
Summary: The Major Gifts Officer is an externally facing position responsible for developing and implementing
strategies to ensure the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals, corporations, and
foundations that provide significant philanthropic support to the Foundation ($25,000 and above). Reporting to
the Director of Major and Planned Gifts, the Major Gifts Officer works closely with the Executive Director of
Development and collaborates with other Foundation and University leadership and colleagues. Duties and
Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Cultivate and solicit major and planned gifts – 70%
- Manage a portfolio of leadership annual, major, and planned gift prospects (100 – 150 total, including individuals, corporations, and foundations) and apply a moves management approach to the portfolio, with a custom cultivation strategy for each donor. Conduct 10-12 visits per month, including a minimum of two solicitation visits per month, with the aim of raising at least $1 million each year from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
- Develop and implement solicitation strategies for USM’s most generous donors identified and agreed upon by the Director of Major and Planned Gifts and the Executive Director of Development. Evaluate various gift opportunities and giving vehicles and recommend and develop strategies to present to prospects.
- Participate in and support comprehensive campaign volunteer leadership committees.
Liaison for fundraising for the College of Management and Human Service – 10%
- Collaborate and coordinate with internal contacts – Deans, faculty, and others on College needs and priorities, to formulate strategies to promote prospect engagement with the College
- Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors to raise funds in support of the College and its Schools.
Contact reports, proposal writing, internal meetings – 20%
- Participate in prospect management meetings with Foundation leadership and portfolio managers as
- well and/or campaign leadership.
- Actively participate in prospect strategy meetings and help develop long- and short-term plans for top
prospects. - Capture and enter all meaningful donor interactions and proposals into the Advance database on a
weekly basis. - Partner with engagement team on proposals, reports, and events as necessary and appropriate to
develop meaningful cultivation, recognition and stewardship materials and experiences. - Take initiative to grow knowledge of planned giving.
Measures of Success
- Raise minimum of $1M/year
- Conduct minimum of 10 meaningful (that advance the relationship) visits per month
- Conduct two solicitation visits per month
- Progressively increase major donor revenue
Education/Experience:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. At least three years of Advancement experience, including
significant experience in major gift cultivation and solicitation. A valid U.S. driver’s license and the energy and
ability to travel on a regular basis are required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Other Abilities:
- Demonstrated ability in personally and consistently closing 5-figure or larger philanthropic gifts from donors.
- Demonstrated fundraising success in one-to-one solicitations and relationship building.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a team and work independently.
- Utilizes best practices and a donor-centric approach in managing a donor portfolio.
- Self-motivated strategic thinker, and a team player, able to represent the University at the highest levels to alumni, parents, and friends with tact, enthusiasm, and poise.
- Requires a person with strong interpersonal skills, discretion, and excellent judgment in dealing with high-net-worth individuals.
- Experience in working with a non-profit board of directors preferred.
- General familiarity with financial planning, tax, and charitable gift laws, and planned giving vehicles and methods.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Gmail, Google Docs, Google spreadsheets, Google calendar, database software, and contact management systems.
- Ability to work effectively with donors, alumni and staff and to staff events which may occur evenings/weekends
University of Southern Maine Foundation employees must provide proof of Covid-19 vaccinations.
Employment decisions will be made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy or
pregnancy-related medical conditions), sexual orientation (including gender identity or expression), national
origin or ancestry, genetics, age, physical or mental disability, or veteran status.
The successful candidate must be fully vaccinated upon commencing employment, subject to legally-required exemptions, and follow office safety protocols. The office is currently operating in hybrid mode.
To apply please submit a cover letter, resume and references to usm.foundationjobs@maine.edu. Review of
applications will begin immediately and will continue until a successful candidate is hired.