Eastern Oregon University
Assistant Director of Development for Major Gifts
🇺🇸
La Grande, OR
🕑
Full-Time
💰
$58K - $77K
💻
Development & Advancement
🗓️
April 24th, 2026
Raiser’s Edge
Edtech.com's Summary
Eastern Oregon University is hiring an Assistant Director of Development for Major Gifts. This role drives philanthropic support by managing a portfolio of major gift prospects, leading donor engagement, and supporting fundraising campaigns and stewardship initiatives to advance university priorities.
Highlights
- Manage 125-175 major gift prospects, overseeing identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Build and maintain relationships with donors, alumni, community leaders, and university stakeholders.
- Contribute to fundraising campaigns, special events, and stewardship initiatives aligned with university goals.
- Use Raiser’s Edge to maintain accurate donor records and track portfolio activities.
- Prepare donor proposals and ensure compliance with gift policies and tax regulations.
- Required qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields, 2-5 years of fundraising or related experience, excellent communication skills, and ability to manage multiple tasks.
- Preferred qualifications: Master’s degree and higher education development experience.
- Salary range: $57,795-$77,467 dependent on qualifications.
- Serve as a key ambassador to communicate Eastern Oregon University's mission and values to inspire donor investment.
- Work in collaboration with university development staff, trustees, faculty, and volunteers to strengthen philanthropic culture.
Assistant Director of Development for Major Gifts Full Description
Assistant Director of Development for Major Gifts
Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening. To apply for the position, please click the Apply for this Job link/button.
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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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 | 04/17/2026
Quick Link to Posting | https://eou.peopleadmin.com/postings/3377
Close Date |
Open Until Filled | Yes
First Day of Application Review | 04/17/2026
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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