Edtech.com's Summary

Kansas City University is hiring a Director of Philanthropy to manage and grow a portfolio of major and planned gift donors while aligning fundraising efforts with the university's strategic goals. The role involves building long-term relationships with donors through regular meetings and events, collaborating with university stakeholders, and promoting a culture of philanthropy.

Highlights

Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 major and planned gift donors and prospects with customized engagement plans
Conduct face-to-face and virtual meetings, aiming for 90 substantive visits and 20 major gift proposals annually
Coordinate and attend donor events and activities to strengthen engagement
Maintain donor records and activities using Raiser’s Edge NXT fundraising database
Collaborate with academic leaders, faculty, and staff to identify fundraising priorities and develop support cases
Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree preferred; proven fundraising and donor relations experience preferred in higher education or healthcare
Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and independent decision-making skills
Proficiency in CRM platforms and excellent computer skills
Commitment to philanthropic principles, ethics, and promoting a culture of giving
Willingness to travel locally and nationally to engage donors

Director of Philanthropy Full Description

Director of Philanthropy

Kansas City Campus

Full time

Job Type:Staff

Job Description:The Director of Philanthropy at Kansas City University (KCU) manages a portfolio of major and planned gift donors, developing long-term relationships built on a firm understanding of donors’ interests which match the strategic goals of the university. This position reports to the Senior Director of Philanthropy and plays a critical role in advancing the university's fundraising efforts. The Director of Philanthropy travels locally and nationally to engage with donors and represent KCU in various philanthropic initiatives. The successful candidate will be expected to adhere to and promote a culture of philanthropy.

Within your application materials, please include the following documents:

*Cover Letter
*Resume

If you have challenges attaching multiple documents, please email them to Angela Howard in HR: [email protected]

Essential Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 major and planned gift donors and prospects; develop customized donor engagement plans with clear strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Conduct regular face-to-face and virtual meetings, calls, and correspondence with donors to build relationships, understand their philanthropic interests, and secure philanthropic support for KCU. Metrics include completing 90 substantive visits per year and submitting 20 major gift proposals
Foster strong relationships with donors, serving as a trusted advisor and resource on philanthropic giving opportunities at KCU
Coordinate and attend events and other activities to engage donors and prospects
Ensure timely and personalized stewardship efforts to enhance donor satisfaction and retention
Collaborate with colleagues across KCU, including academic leaders, faculty, and staff, to identify fundraising priorities and develop compelling cases for support
Demonstrate a deep understanding of philanthropic principles and ethics, ensuring the highest level of integrity in all interactions with donors, volunteers, and stakeholders
Embrace and promote a culture of philanthropy; encourage and support a philanthropic mindset among colleagues and donors, fostering a culture of gratitude, giving, and impact
Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records and activities in the university's fundraising database (Raiser’s Edge NXT)
Stay informed about current trends, best practices, and emerging strategies in philanthropy, bringing innovative ideas to enhance KCU's fundraising efforts
Support other Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement activities and initiatives as needed, including but not limited to Alumni Weekend, Commencement, White Coat ceremonies, campaign events, and other occasional university-wide or PAE Team initiatives

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in a related field preferred
Proven experience in fundraising, donor relations, or related fields, preferably in higher education or healthcare sectors
Demonstrated success in managing a portfolio of major donors and securing significant gifts
Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to interact effectively with a diverse range of individuals, including high-net-worth individuals, community leaders, and volunteers
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling fundraising materials and deliver persuasive presentations
Highly organized with excellent attention to detail
Capable of setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and achieving goals while managing multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to solve problems, make independent decisions, and exercise good judgment. Able to find needed information, overcome obstacles, and complete work effectively and professionally
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
Able to work effectively and diplomatically with all constituents: alumni, senior administration and staff, deans and faculty, students, visitors, and donors
Excellent computer skills and proficiency working within a CRM platform
Deep understanding of philanthropic culture, principles, and ethics
Clearly and consistently demonstrates KCU’s mission, vision, and values in words and actions
Willingness to travel locally and nationally as required

Physical Requirements

Physical dexterity sufficient to use hands, arms, and shoulders repetitively to operate a keyboard and other office equipment, use a telephone, access file cabinets and other items stored at various levels, including overhead
Ability to speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably with sufficient volume to ensure an accurate exchange of information in normal conversational distance, over the telephone, and in a group setting
Ability to continuously operate a personal computer for extended periods of time (4 or more hours)
Mental acuity sufficient to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions

Equal Opportunity Employer

KCU is committed to promoting an equal employment opportunity workplace. Equal opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information (GINA), physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, ancestry, military and/or veteran status, and/or any other status protected by applicable Federal, state or local law.

Annual Security Report

KCU is committed to providing a safe campus for students, faculty, and staff. Our annual campus security report lists campus crimes and statistics for the campus and public areas around campus for the last three years, in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

Thank you for your interest in a career at KCU!

Original Job Description

Director of Philanthropy

Kansas City Campus

Full time

Job Type:Staff

Essential Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 major and planned gift donors and prospects; develop customized donor engagement plans with clear strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Conduct regular face-to-face and virtual meetings, calls, and correspondence with donors to build relationships, understand their philanthropic interests, and secure philanthropic support for KCU. Metrics include completing 90 substantive visits per year and submitting 20 major gift proposals
Foster strong relationships with donors, serving as a trusted advisor and resource on philanthropic giving opportunities at KCU
Coordinate and attend events and other activities to engage donors and prospects
Ensure timely and personalized stewardship efforts to enhance donor satisfaction and retention
Collaborate with colleagues across KCU, including academic leaders, faculty, and staff, to identify fundraising priorities and develop compelling cases for support
Demonstrate a deep understanding of philanthropic principles and ethics, ensuring the highest level of integrity in all interactions with donors, volunteers, and stakeholders
Embrace and promote a culture of philanthropy; encourage and support a philanthropic mindset among colleagues and donors, fostering a culture of gratitude, giving, and impact
Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records and activities in the university's fundraising database (Raiser’s Edge NXT)
Stay informed about current trends, best practices, and emerging strategies in philanthropy, bringing innovative ideas to enhance KCU's fundraising efforts
Support other Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement activities and initiatives as needed, including but not limited to Alumni Weekend, Commencement, White Coat ceremonies, campaign events, and other occasional university-wide or PAE Team initiatives

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree in a related field preferred
Proven experience in fundraising, donor relations, or related fields, preferably in higher education or healthcare sectors
Demonstrated success in managing a portfolio of major donors and securing significant gifts
Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to interact effectively with a diverse range of individuals, including high-net-worth individuals, community leaders, and volunteers
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling fundraising materials and deliver persuasive presentations
Highly organized with excellent attention to detail
Capable of setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and achieving goals while managing multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to solve problems, make independent decisions, and exercise good judgment. Able to find needed information, overcome obstacles, and complete work effectively and professionally
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team-oriented environment
Able to work effectively and diplomatically with all constituents: alumni, senior administration and staff, deans and faculty, students, visitors, and donors
Excellent computer skills and proficiency working within a CRM platform
Deep understanding of philanthropic culture, principles, and ethics
Clearly and consistently demonstrates KCU’s mission, vision, and values in words and actions
Willingness to travel locally and nationally as required

Physical Requirements

Physical dexterity sufficient to use hands, arms, and shoulders repetitively to operate a keyboard and other office equipment, use a telephone, access file cabinets and other items stored at various levels, including overhead
Ability to speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably with sufficient volume to ensure an accurate exchange of information in normal conversational distance, over the telephone, and in a group setting
Ability to continuously operate a personal computer for extended periods of time (4 or more hours)
Mental acuity sufficient to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions

Equal Opportunity Employer

Annual Security Report

Thank you for your interest in a career at KCU!

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