Assistant Director of Development for Major Gifts

Edtech.com's Summary

Eastern Oregon University is hiring an Assistant Director of Development for Major Gifts. This role involves managing a donor portfolio to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts, leading fundraising campaigns and events, and building strong relationships with donors, alumni, and community leaders to support the University's philanthropic goals.

Highlights

Manage a portfolio of 125–175 major gift prospects through all donor engagement stages.
Lead fundraising campaigns, special events, stewardship initiatives, and donor engagement activities.
Build and maintain relationships with donors, alumni, trustees, faculty, and community leaders.
Represent Eastern Oregon University and the EOU Foundation to inspire philanthropic investment.
Conduct prospect research and maintain data integrity using Raiser’s Edge.
Prepare donor proposals and ensure compliance with gift policies and regulations.
Required qualifications include a bachelor's degree and 2–5 years of fundraising or related experience with excellent communication skills.
Preferred qualifications include a master’s degree and higher education experience in development and public relations.
Salary range is $57,795 to $77,467 dependent on qualifications.
Comprehensive benefits package including paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, health insurance, life insurance, relocation assistance, and tuition discounts.

Assistant Director of Development for Major Gifts Full Description

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Assistant Director of Development for Major Gifts

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Applicant must provide:

Letter of application (which should include why this position is attractive to the applicant, how it meets the applicant’s professional goals, and what attracts the applicant to EOU);
Complete curriculum vitae (resume);

Candidates are encouraged to review the values and principles of Eastern Oregon University https://www.eou.edu/institutional-effectiveness/values-and-principles/.

Only complete files of qualified applicants will be reviewed.

Eastern Oregon University – Oregon’s Rural University! – is a respected public, higher education institution of academic excellence. Outstanding faculty and staff thrive and together fulfill their career ambitions to serve students from all walks of life.

The Eastern Oregon University main campus is on a beautiful, quaint campus nestled in a remarkably scenic, high elevation valley populated by wonderful, community-minded citizens that have balanced work-life flexibility. Take a virtual tour of Eastern Oregon University https://www.eou.edu/visitor/.

EOU offers a very attractive package of State of Oregon public employee benefits including:

Paid holidays (10 days/year)
Paid sick time-off (12 days/year)
Paid vacation (22 days/year)
Individual and Family Healthcare Insurance (95%+ employer-paid medical, dental, vision)
Oregon Paid Leave benefits (up to 12 paid weeks)
Federal FMLA and State of Oregon Family Leave (OFLA) benefits (up to 12 weeks paid/unpaid)
Employer-paid life insurance
Relocation assistance
Discounted tuition benefits for employees and eligible dependents
For more details, see Prospective Employees https://www.eou.edu/hr/prospective-employees

Eastern Oregon University is an EEO Employer and welcomes applications from women, members of historically underrepresented minority groups, US Veterans, and persons with disabilities. EOU is committed to providing equal opportunity in its recruitment, admissions, educational programs, activities, and employment without illegal discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any status as protected by state or federal law.

Posting Details

Position Information

Position Title	Assistant Director of Development for Major Gifts
Full or Part Time	Full Time
FTE	1.0
Position Type	Regular
Posting Number	20110657C&A

Position Summary Information

Job Description Summary	The Major Gifts Officer (MGO), reporting to the Director of Development, is responsible for driving philanthropic support for Eastern Oregon University through the EOU Foundation. This role focuses on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors and corporate partners to advance University and Foundation priorities. The MGO manages a portfolio of current and prospective donors, playing a strategic leadership role in fundraising campaigns, special events, stewardship initiatives, and donor engagement activities. Through active outreach and relationship-building with donors, alumni, friends of the University, trustees, and community leaders, the MGO helps strengthen the culture of philanthropy across the institution. Depending on organizational needs, the MGO may be assigned to support specific University programs or initiatives. In all efforts, the Major Gifts Officer serves as a key ambassador – communicating shared values and demonstrating the impact, mission, and vision of Eastern Oregon University to inspire meaningful investment.
Responsibilities	Key Responsibilities Fundraising & Portfolio Management: Manage a portfolio of 125–175 major gift prospects, leading all stages of donor engagement, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, while implementing annual fundraising strategies measured by dollars raised, qualified visits, and solicitations made. Relationship Building & Donor Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, alumni, community leaders, and University stakeholders. Represent the University and Foundation with professionalism by effectively communicating mission, impact, and shared values, and strategically engage senior leadership, trustees, deans, faculty, and volunteers to support major gift initiatives. Campaigns, Programs & Collaboration: Contribute to fundraising campaigns, stewardship initiatives, and signature events while coordinating fundraising efforts for assigned program or geographic areas. Collaborate with development staff to ensure high-quality donor experiences and cohesive, well-aligned fundraising activities across departments. Prospect Research & Data Integrity: Identify and qualify new prospects through research, networking, and data-driven methods, ensuring continuous growth of the donor pipeline. Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all donor interactions, proposals, and portfolio activities in Raiser’s Edge. Gift Coordination & Compliance:Prepare and support donor proposals and related materials, ensuring coordinated solicitation efforts across University units. Maintain knowledge of gift policies, tax regulations, and planned giving options, and exercise authority to evaluate and initially accept gifts in accordance with Foundation policies.
Minimum Qualifications	Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Business, Marketing, Sales, Economics, History, English, Interdisciplinary Studies, Liberal Arts, or a related field. Successful experience in philanthropic development, including a proven track record of successful solicitations from individuals and private and public foundations. Two (2)–Five (5) years of related professional experience in fundraising, development, or community or public relations. Excellent communication skills in both verbal and writing. Experience working with diverse groups of people. Ability to manage, organize, and coordinate multiple tasks and events. Must satisfactorily complete EOU criminal and credential background check. Having a criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Eastern Oregon University will not sponsor applicants for employment visas.
Preferred Qualifications	Master’s degree in Communications, Business, Marketing, Sales, Economics, History, English, Interdisciplinary Studies, Liberal Arts, or a related field. Higher education experience in development and public relations.
Special Instructions to Applicants	Applicant must provide: Letter of application (which should include why this position is attractive to the applicant, how it meets the applicant’s professional goals, and what attracts the applicant to EOU); Complete curriculum vitae (resume); Candidates are encouraged to review the values and principles of Eastern Oregon University https://www.eou.edu/institutional-effectiveness/values-and-principles/. Only complete files of qualified applicants will be reviewed. Eastern Oregon University – Oregon’s Rural University! – is a respected public, higher education institution of academic excellence. Outstanding faculty and staff thrive and together fulfill their career ambitions to serve students from all walks of life. The Eastern Oregon University main campus is on a beautiful, quaint campus nestled in a remarkably scenic, high elevation valley populated by wonderful, community-minded citizens that have balanced work-life flexibility. Take a virtual tour of Eastern Oregon University https://www.eou.edu/visitor/. EOU offers a very attractive package of State of Oregon public employee benefits including: Paid holidays (10 days/year) Paid sick time-off (12 days/year) Paid vacation (22 days/year) Individual and Family Healthcare Insurance (95%+ employer-paid medical, dental, vision) Oregon Paid Leave benefits (up to 12 paid weeks) Federal FMLA and State of Oregon Family Leave (OFLA) benefits (up to 12 weeks paid/unpaid) Employer-paid life insurance Relocation assistance Discounted tuition benefits for employees and eligible dependents For more details, see Prospective Employees https://www.eou.edu/hr/prospective-employees Eastern Oregon University is an EEO Employer and welcomes applications from women, members of historically underrepresented minority groups, US Veterans, and persons with disabilities. EOU is committed to providing equal opportunity in its recruitment, admissions, educational programs, activities, and employment without illegal discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any status as protected by state or federal law.
Salary	$57,795-$77,467 DOQ

Posting Detail Information

Open Date	03/23/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled	Yes
First Day of Application Review	04/06/2026
Quick Link to Posting	https://eou.peopleadmin.com/postings/3377

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
- EOU Website Posting
- Chronicle of Higher Education
- State Employment Service
- DiverseJobs.net
- Referral by EOU Employee
- HigherEdJobs.com
- Newspaper
- Other
If you answered "Newspaper" or "Other" above, please give specifics here:
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you currently have a bachelors degree?
- Yes
- No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Veteran Preference Document

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Original Job Description

EOU Home

HR Home
HR Contacts
About Union County

Assistant Director of Development for Major Gifts

Bookmark this Posting Print Preview | Apply for this Job

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Applicant must provide:

Letter of application (which should include why this position is attractive to the applicant, how it meets the applicant’s professional goals, and what attracts the applicant to EOU);
Complete curriculum vitae (resume);

Candidates are encouraged to review the values and principles of Eastern Oregon University https://www.eou.edu/institutional-effectiveness/values-and-principles/.

Paid holidays (10 days/year)
Paid sick time-off (12 days/year)
Paid vacation (22 days/year)
Individual and Family Healthcare Insurance (95%+ employer-paid medical, dental, vision)
Oregon Paid Leave benefits (up to 12 paid weeks)
Federal FMLA and State of Oregon Family Leave (OFLA) benefits (up to 12 weeks paid/unpaid)
Employer-paid life insurance
Relocation assistance
Discounted tuition benefits for employees and eligible dependents
For more details, see Prospective Employees https://www.eou.edu/hr/prospective-employees

Posting Details

Position Information

Position Title	Assistant Director of Development for Major Gifts
Full or Part Time	Full Time
FTE	1.0
Position Type	Regular
Posting Number	20110657C&A

Position Summary Information

Job Description Summary	The Major Gifts Officer (MGO), reporting to the Director of Development, is responsible for driving philanthropic support for Eastern Oregon University through the EOU Foundation. This role focuses on identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors and corporate partners to advance University and Foundation priorities. The MGO manages a portfolio of current and prospective donors, playing a strategic leadership role in fundraising campaigns, special events, stewardship initiatives, and donor engagement activities. Through active outreach and relationship-building with donors, alumni, friends of the University, trustees, and community leaders, the MGO helps strengthen the culture of philanthropy across the institution. Depending on organizational needs, the MGO may be assigned to support specific University programs or initiatives. In all efforts, the Major Gifts Officer serves as a key ambassador – communicating shared values and demonstrating the impact, mission, and vision of Eastern Oregon University to inspire meaningful investment.
Responsibilities	Key Responsibilities Fundraising & Portfolio Management: Manage a portfolio of 125–175 major gift prospects, leading all stages of donor engagement, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, while implementing annual fundraising strategies measured by dollars raised, qualified visits, and solicitations made. Relationship Building & Donor Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, alumni, community leaders, and University stakeholders. Represent the University and Foundation with professionalism by effectively communicating mission, impact, and shared values, and strategically engage senior leadership, trustees, deans, faculty, and volunteers to support major gift initiatives. Campaigns, Programs & Collaboration: Contribute to fundraising campaigns, stewardship initiatives, and signature events while coordinating fundraising efforts for assigned program or geographic areas. Collaborate with development staff to ensure high-quality donor experiences and cohesive, well-aligned fundraising activities across departments. Prospect Research & Data Integrity: Identify and qualify new prospects through research, networking, and data-driven methods, ensuring continuous growth of the donor pipeline. Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all donor interactions, proposals, and portfolio activities in Raiser’s Edge. Gift Coordination & Compliance:Prepare and support donor proposals and related materials, ensuring coordinated solicitation efforts across University units. Maintain knowledge of gift policies, tax regulations, and planned giving options, and exercise authority to evaluate and initially accept gifts in accordance with Foundation policies.
Minimum Qualifications	Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Business, Marketing, Sales, Economics, History, English, Interdisciplinary Studies, Liberal Arts, or a related field. Successful experience in philanthropic development, including a proven track record of successful solicitations from individuals and private and public foundations. Two (2)–Five (5) years of related professional experience in fundraising, development, or community or public relations. Excellent communication skills in both verbal and writing. Experience working with diverse groups of people. Ability to manage, organize, and coordinate multiple tasks and events. Must satisfactorily complete EOU criminal and credential background check. Having a criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Eastern Oregon University will not sponsor applicants for employment visas.
Preferred Qualifications	Master’s degree in Communications, Business, Marketing, Sales, Economics, History, English, Interdisciplinary Studies, Liberal Arts, or a related field. Higher education experience in development and public relations.
Special Instructions to Applicants	Applicant must provide: Letter of application (which should include why this position is attractive to the applicant, how it meets the applicant’s professional goals, and what attracts the applicant to EOU); Complete curriculum vitae (resume); Candidates are encouraged to review the values and principles of Eastern Oregon University https://www.eou.edu/institutional-effectiveness/values-and-principles/. Only complete files of qualified applicants will be reviewed. Eastern Oregon University – Oregon’s Rural University! – is a respected public, higher education institution of academic excellence. Outstanding faculty and staff thrive and together fulfill their career ambitions to serve students from all walks of life. The Eastern Oregon University main campus is on a beautiful, quaint campus nestled in a remarkably scenic, high elevation valley populated by wonderful, community-minded citizens that have balanced work-life flexibility. Take a virtual tour of Eastern Oregon University https://www.eou.edu/visitor/. EOU offers a very attractive package of State of Oregon public employee benefits including: Paid holidays (10 days/year) Paid sick time-off (12 days/year) Paid vacation (22 days/year) Individual and Family Healthcare Insurance (95%+ employer-paid medical, dental, vision) Oregon Paid Leave benefits (up to 12 paid weeks) Federal FMLA and State of Oregon Family Leave (OFLA) benefits (up to 12 weeks paid/unpaid) Employer-paid life insurance Relocation assistance Discounted tuition benefits for employees and eligible dependents For more details, see Prospective Employees https://www.eou.edu/hr/prospective-employees Eastern Oregon University is an EEO Employer and welcomes applications from women, members of historically underrepresented minority groups, US Veterans, and persons with disabilities. EOU is committed to providing equal opportunity in its recruitment, admissions, educational programs, activities, and employment without illegal discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any status as protected by state or federal law.
Salary	$57,795-$77,467 DOQ

Posting Detail Information

Open Date	03/23/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled	Yes
First Day of Application Review	04/06/2026
Quick Link to Posting	https://eou.peopleadmin.com/postings/3377

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
- EOU Website Posting
- Chronicle of Higher Education
- State Employment Service
- DiverseJobs.net
- Referral by EOU Employee
- HigherEdJobs.com
- Newspaper
- Other
If you answered "Newspaper" or "Other" above, please give specifics here:
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you currently have a bachelors degree?
- Yes
- No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Veteran Preference Document

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.

Any data not saved will be lost.

Click 'OK' to keep your session active.

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Assistant Director of Development for Major Gifts

Edtech.com's Summary

Assistant Director of Development for Major Gifts Full Description

Public Relations Associate

Communications Manager I

Associate Director of Communications

Corporate PR and Communications Manager

Director, Public Relations, Media Communications