University of Kentucky
College Philanthropy Officer Senior
🇺🇸
Lexington, KY
🕑
Full-Time
💰
$63K - $104K
💻
Development & Advancement
🗓️
February 5th, 2026
Edtech.com's Summary
The University of Kentucky is hiring a College Philanthropy Officer Senior. This role involves managing a major gift portfolio, fostering relationships with donors, and collaborating with university stakeholders to develop and implement strategic fundraising plans that support the college's mission and priorities.
Highlights
- Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, typically involving gifts of $25,000 or more.
- Develop and execute strategic fundraising plans to meet annual and long-term goals.
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donor relationships, including conducting impactful visits and preparing customized proposals.
- Collaborate closely with faculty, department chairs, and leadership to align philanthropic efforts with institutional needs.
- Represent the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment as an ambassador for agriculture.
- Required skills include proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and strong oral and written communication abilities.
- Minimum qualifications include a bachelor's degree and at least 7 years of philanthropic or major gift fundraising experience, preferably in higher education or related nonprofit sectors.
- Position offers a salary range of $62,941 to $103,834 per year.
- Work schedule is primarily Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with occasional evenings and weekends as needed.
- Position does not have supervisory responsibilities and may require travel within the city and region for donor meetings.
College Philanthropy Officer Senior Full Description
College Philanthropy Officer Senior
Posting Details
Job Title | College Philanthropy Officer Senior
Requisition Number | RE53154
Working Title | College Philanthropy Officer
Department Name | 81016:Office of Philanthropy and Alumni
Work Location | Lexington, KY
Grade Level | 48
Salary Range | $62,941-103,834/year
Type of Position | Staff
Position Time Status | Full-Time
Required Education | BA
Click here for more information about equivalencies: | https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience | 7 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification | None
Physical Requirements | Extended periods of sitting and standing; repetitive motion tasks; standing and/or walking with up to 10 lbs. This position may require traveling around the city and region for donor meetings.
Shift | Primarily Monday through Friday; 8:00am – 5:00pm with occasional evenings and weekends per departmental needs.
Job Summary | The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is seeking a College Philanthropy Officer who will play a pivotal role in advancing the land-grant mission. Under the direction of the Senior Director, the Philanthropy Officer will manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, cultivating long-term relationships that lead to significant philanthropic support.
Working in close collaboration with faculty leaders, department chairs, and colleagues across UK, the Officer will: Develop and execute strategic fundraising plans to achieve annual and long-term goals. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects (typically $25,000+). Conduct high-impact donor visits and prepare customized proposals. Partner with faculty, leadership, and administrative colleagues to align philanthropic priorities with institutional needs. Represent the college as an ambassador for agriculture.
We’re seeking a mission-driven relationship builder who brings: A proven record of success in major gift fundraising, preferably in higher education, agriculture, or complex nonprofit environments. Exceptional communication and storytelling skills with the ability to inspire donors around life-changing programs and research. Strategic thinking, intellectual curiosity, and professional integrity. A collaborative approach that thrives within a values-based culture.
The culture within the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (PAE) is built on our shared core values CoMMIT– Collaboration, Communication, Mission Driven, Mutual Respect, Innovation and Transparency.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities | Microsoft Office Suite. The candidate must have strong oral and written communication skills, attention to detail, and professional expertise to communicate effectively within the university environment, with stakeholders, and with Kentucky citizens.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? | No
Preferred Education/Experience | Bachelor’s Degree and at least 7 years of philanthropic experience preferred.
Deadline to Apply | 03/06/2026
Our University Community | We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Requisition Number | RE53154
Working Title | College Philanthropy Officer
Department Name | 81016:Office of Philanthropy and Alumni
Work Location | Lexington, KY
Grade Level | 48
Salary Range | $62,941-103,834/year
Type of Position | Staff
Position Time Status | Full-Time
Required Education | BA
Click here for more information about equivalencies: | https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience | 7 yrs
Required License/Registration/Certification | None
Physical Requirements | Extended periods of sitting and standing; repetitive motion tasks; standing and/or walking with up to 10 lbs. This position may require traveling around the city and region for donor meetings.
Shift | Primarily Monday through Friday; 8:00am – 5:00pm with occasional evenings and weekends per departmental needs.
Job Summary | The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is seeking a College Philanthropy Officer who will play a pivotal role in advancing the land-grant mission. Under the direction of the Senior Director, the Philanthropy Officer will manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, cultivating long-term relationships that lead to significant philanthropic support.
Working in close collaboration with faculty leaders, department chairs, and colleagues across UK, the Officer will: Develop and execute strategic fundraising plans to achieve annual and long-term goals. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects (typically $25,000+). Conduct high-impact donor visits and prepare customized proposals. Partner with faculty, leadership, and administrative colleagues to align philanthropic priorities with institutional needs. Represent the college as an ambassador for agriculture.
We’re seeking a mission-driven relationship builder who brings: A proven record of success in major gift fundraising, preferably in higher education, agriculture, or complex nonprofit environments. Exceptional communication and storytelling skills with the ability to inspire donors around life-changing programs and research. Strategic thinking, intellectual curiosity, and professional integrity. A collaborative approach that thrives within a values-based culture.
The culture within the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (PAE) is built on our shared core values CoMMIT– Collaboration, Communication, Mission Driven, Mutual Respect, Innovation and Transparency.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities | Microsoft Office Suite. The candidate must have strong oral and written communication skills, attention to detail, and professional expertise to communicate effectively within the university environment, with stakeholders, and with Kentucky citizens.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? | No
Preferred Education/Experience | Bachelor’s Degree and at least 7 years of philanthropic experience preferred.
Deadline to Apply | 03/06/2026
Our University Community | We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Describe a previous position you have held that had fundraising goals and how did you meet those goals?
(Open Ended Question) - * How many years of experience do you have working with the cultivation and solicitation of donors in a major academic institution?
- None
- More than 0, up through 1 year
- More than 1 year, up through 3 years
- More than 3 years, up through 5 years
- More than 5 years, up through 10 years
- More than 10 years
- * Describe your experience managing fundraising initiatives at an institution of higher learning.
(Open Ended Question) - * What is the amount of the largest gift or donation that you have successfully solicited?
- Less than $10,000
- More than $10,000, up through $50,000
- More than $50,000, up through $100,000
- More than $100,000, up through $500,000
- More than $500,000, up through $1 million
- More than $1 million
- * Please describe how you successfully identified, cultivated and solicited the two largest gifts you have raised.
(Open Ended Question)
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Optional Documents
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