Marshall University
Director of Philanthropy
🇺🇸
Huntington, WV
🕑
Full-Time
💰
TBD
💻
Development & Advancement
🗓️
February 17th, 2026
Edtech.com's Summary
Marshall University is hiring a Director of Philanthropy. The role involves establishing and strengthening relationships with major donors capable of gifts of $25,000 or more, managing a donor portfolio, and raising a minimum of $500,000 annually. The Director will collaborate with university and foundation colleagues to support an upcoming major fundraising campaign.
Highlights
- Manage and cultivate a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, aiming to raise at least $500,000 annually.
- Develop and execute strategic donor engagement plans in cooperation with the Chief Development Officer, staff, faculty, and volunteers.
- Identify, qualify, and solicit major gift prospects using research, referrals, events, and relationship-building techniques.
- Utilize prospect research, data analytics, and a moves management system to prioritize outreach and document donor interactions.
- Ensure compliance with the Foundation's policies for gift acceptance, recording, and acknowledgment.
- Participate fully in the development team’s meetings and professional development activities.
- Bachelor’s degree required; preferred master’s in business administration, public sector management, marketing, or related field.
- Minimum 3 years of progressive philanthropic development or related experience, with proven success in securing major gifts.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, with ability to travel locally and nationally and work evenings/weekends as needed.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and donor database systems preferred.
Director of Philanthropy Full Description
Director of Philanthropy
Position Details
Get to Know Us!
Marshall University is a public comprehensive university with a rich history as one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in West Virginia. Founded in 1837 and named after Chief Justice John Marshall, definer of the Constitution, Marshall University advances the public good through innovative, accredited educational programs. We are located in downtown Huntington, West Virginia, with additional locations in South Charleston, Point Pleasant, Teays Valley and Beckley. Marshall University’s mission, inspired by our Vision and Creed, includes a commitment to:
- Offer a wide range of high quality, affordable, and accessible undergraduate, graduate, and professional education that prepares students to think, learn, work, and live in an evolving global society.
- Create opportunities and experiences to foster understanding and appreciation of the rich diversity of thought and culture.
- Maintain a dynamic intellectual, artistic, and cultural life by promoting and supporting research and creative activities by undergraduates, graduates, and faculty.
- Contribute to the quality of life of the community, region, and beyond through applied research, economic development, health care, and cultural enrichment.
- Cultivate the development of an inclusive, just, and equitable community.
Come Meet Marshall and discover what it means to be part of the Marshall University family!
Come join our Herd!
We are committed to attracting and retaining quality faculty and staff. In doing so, Marshall University offers outstanding benefit packages to eligible employees only. (E-Class in the job posting). Marshall University Research Corporation (MURC) employees have different benefit options than those listed below.
- Work week is 37.5 hrs.
- A great highlight in December is that Marshall University employees receive almost two weeks off for Winter Break!
- Holidays – Employees receive 13 Paid Holidays
- Annual and Sick Leave – Classified Staff, Non-Classified Staff and 12-month Faculty earn up to 24 days of annual leave per year (max 360 hours) and up to 18 days of sick leave per year. ) Employee Leave
- Health Insurance – Marshall University offers health insurance through West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA). There are seven (7) health benefit plans.
- Educational/Tuition Benefits – Marshall University provides tuition benefits to regular employees (after probationary period) and their dependent children.
- Retirement Plans – Marshall University offers retirement through Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA). Full-time benefits eligible employees must participate in the mandated retirement plan (401(a)).
- Life Insurance – Basic term life insurance ($10,000) at no cost and may purchase optional life insurance coverage with pre-tax earnings.
- Wellness Programs – PEIA provides various care management programs and the Pathways to Wellness program.
We are . . . Marshall!
Position Information
Position Title | Director of Philanthropy
Banner Position Number | 02132026
E-Class | TN - MU Non-employee Position (NOT Benefits Eligible)
Department | Sr VP Development - MU6000
Job Description | Please note: This is a Marshall University Foundation, Inc benefits eligible position and not a Marshall University state position.
The Director of Philanthropy is a key member of the Development Team and responsible for establishing, building and deepening meaningful relationships with Marshall University Foundation prospects and donors. Directors of Philanthropy cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors with the capacity to make major gifts at the $25,000 level and greater.This is a position for an entrepreneurial and relationship-driven fundraiser to expand and deepen the philanthropic contributions of a portfolio of prospects and donors. In 2026, the Marshall University Foundation will launch a major fundraising campaign, and the Director of Philanthropy will work collaboratively with Foundation and University colleagues to fulfill the campaign goals.
Strategic Prospect and Donor Engagement Work closely with the CDO and Foundation and Development staff, university deans, faculty and key volunteers to pursue a coordinated and strategic program of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors. Identify, qualify, and advance major gift prospects through proactive prospecting, referrals, research, events, and relationship-building. Make direct solicitations and close gifts; maintain a high level of donor and prospect engagement, including regular in-person and virtual meetings Manage a major gift donor portfolio of current, dormant, and prospective donors with the capacity to make gifts of $25,000 or greater. By building relationships through cultivation and stewardship raise a minimum of $500,000 annually.
Portfolio ManagementLeverage prospect research, data, and analytics to prioritize outreach, refine strategy, and strengthen the donor pipeline. Document contacts and strategies using the moves management system. Adhere to the Foundation’s policies and procedures for accepting, recording and acknowledging gifts and pledges.
Other DutiesPursue professional growth activities in collaboration with the Chief Development Officer. Participate as a full member of the development team attending prospect management meetings, professional development activities and other staff meetings, as appropriate. Monitor and process expenses on a timely basis and within approved budgets. Perform other duties as assigned.
Salary Range | Salary is commensurate upon education, experience and internal equity
Salary Type | Salary
Time Type | Full-Time
Work Location | OTHR - Other Off-Campus Location
Banner Position Number | 02132026
E-Class | TN - MU Non-employee Position (NOT Benefits Eligible)
Department | Sr VP Development - MU6000
Job Description | Please note: This is a Marshall University Foundation, Inc benefits eligible position and not a Marshall University state position.
The Director of Philanthropy is a key member of the Development Team and responsible for establishing, building and deepening meaningful relationships with Marshall University Foundation prospects and donors. Directors of Philanthropy cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors with the capacity to make major gifts at the $25,000 level and greater.This is a position for an entrepreneurial and relationship-driven fundraiser to expand and deepen the philanthropic contributions of a portfolio of prospects and donors. In 2026, the Marshall University Foundation will launch a major fundraising campaign, and the Director of Philanthropy will work collaboratively with Foundation and University colleagues to fulfill the campaign goals.
Strategic Prospect and Donor Engagement Work closely with the CDO and Foundation and Development staff, university deans, faculty and key volunteers to pursue a coordinated and strategic program of cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors. Identify, qualify, and advance major gift prospects through proactive prospecting, referrals, research, events, and relationship-building. Make direct solicitations and close gifts; maintain a high level of donor and prospect engagement, including regular in-person and virtual meetings Manage a major gift donor portfolio of current, dormant, and prospective donors with the capacity to make gifts of $25,000 or greater. By building relationships through cultivation and stewardship raise a minimum of $500,000 annually.
Portfolio ManagementLeverage prospect research, data, and analytics to prioritize outreach, refine strategy, and strengthen the donor pipeline. Document contacts and strategies using the moves management system. Adhere to the Foundation’s policies and procedures for accepting, recording and acknowledging gifts and pledges.
Other DutiesPursue professional growth activities in collaboration with the Chief Development Officer. Participate as a full member of the development team attending prospect management meetings, professional development activities and other staff meetings, as appropriate. Monitor and process expenses on a timely basis and within approved budgets. Perform other duties as assigned.
Salary Range | Salary is commensurate upon education, experience and internal equity
Salary Type | Salary
Time Type | Full-Time
Work Location | OTHR - Other Off-Campus Location
Qualifications
Must be able to perform all essential job duties as outlined in the job description.
Must be able to perform all essential job duties as outlined in the job description.
Required Qualifications
Education | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience | Minimum of 3 years of progressive and successful philanthropic development, relationship-based institutional sales, marketing, and/or related experience. Proven experience developing and managing relationships with high-level prospects. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – written, verbal, and presentation. Strong organizational skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities. Ability to travel locally and nationally to fulfill Key Responsibilities. Ability to work evenings and weekends to fulfill Key Responsibilities.
Experience | Minimum of 3 years of progressive and successful philanthropic development, relationship-based institutional sales, marketing, and/or related experience. Proven experience developing and managing relationships with high-level prospects. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills – written, verbal, and presentation. Strong organizational skills, with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities. Ability to travel locally and nationally to fulfill Key Responsibilities. Ability to work evenings and weekends to fulfill Key Responsibilities.
Preferred Qualifications
Education | Master’s degree in business administration, public sector management, marketing, or related discipline.
Experience | Philanthropic development experience within a higher education, foundation, or non-profit institution. Proven success in securing major gifts and increasing donor support and engagement. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and donor databases.
Experience | Philanthropic development experience within a higher education, foundation, or non-profit institution. Proven success in securing major gifts and increasing donor support and engagement. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and donor databases.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number | MU1222E
Open Date | 02/16/2026
Close Date |
Open Until Filled | Yes
Special Instructions Summary |
Open Date | 02/16/2026
Close Date |
Open Until Filled | Yes
Special Instructions Summary |
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Do you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university?
- Yes
- No
- * Do you have a minimum of three years of progressive and successful philanthropic development, relationship-based institutional sales, marketing, and/or related experience?
- Yes
- No
- * Are you able to travel locally and nationally, and work evenings and weekends to fulfill the job responsibilities?
- Yes
- No
- Do you have philanthropic development experience with a higher education, foundation, or non-profit institution?
- Yes
- No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- CV or Resume
- Cover Letter
Optional Documents
Marshall University
One John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755
One John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755
Copyright © 2020 Marshall University | An Equal Opportunity University | Accreditation | Consumer Information and Disclosures
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