Other | Presbyterian Church in America
12330 Conway Road
Saint Louis, MO 63141
https://www.covenantseminary.edu/
Full-Time
Posted: Mar 25, 2024
Application Deadline: Aug 31, 2024
Description
Under the guidance of the Vice President of Advancement, the Major Gift Officer (MGO) will work to establish and pursue goals, objectives, and strategies for major gift fundraising in fulfillment of the department’s institutional responsibilities. The MGO will do this by developing and cultivating trusted relationships with individual donors, churches, foundations, and other organizations, engaging them as partners in the mission and vision of the Seminary. These relationships will be cultivated through personal and intentional communication, visitation, and general care to develop support for the Seminary and its interests. A qualified candidate will have demonstrated successful development experience in higher education or a ministry context, will possess a significant understanding of the St. Louis community and the PCA, be perceived as, reliable, relatable, and trustworthy, genuinely enjoy building relationships, and be able to appropriately mirror the Seminary’s values and communicating its goals. The position is based in St. Louis with travel responsibilities throughout the U.S.
Donor Relations Responsibilities
- Identify and cultivate major gift prospects; manage a portfolio of individuals, churches, foundations, and organizations; develop and implement solicitation strategies for each.
- Manage and grow a portfolio of 150–200 major gift donors, prospects, churches, foundations, and leads with a focus on those individuals or churches with the potential of giving $5K or more. This will include regular correspondence, visitation, and solicitation. Overnight travel will be necessary for donors outside the St. Louis region.
- Work with broader advancement team, staff, trustees, and other donors to identify and cultivate new prospects within assigned region/portfolio.
- Develop and implement a cultivation and solicitation strategy for all donors. Record and track all activity using the Seminary’s ERP platform.
- Prepare written proposals, informational materials, endowment agreements, gift illustrations, and other materials needed to solicit planned/estate and major gifts from individuals, and foundations; for each major gift donor managed, develop appropriate stewardship activities within the context of the overall stewardship plan.
- Make approximately 100–150 strategic cultivation, solicitation, or stewardship contacts each year to steward, thank, and encourage donors in continued and increased support. (Face-to-face visits are preferred unless the donor indicates otherwise.)
- Engage portfolio donors with current initiatives, presenting appropriate support opportunities which may include major gifts, special projects, and/or planned gifts.
- Organize special events and regional donor activities to engage current and prospective donors. This may include using the President or other key staff/faculty.
- As appropriate, identify, recruit, train, and develop leadership roles for volunteers who assist with fundraising activities.
Desired:
Master’s degree preferred; an MBA or degree in theology is also desirable in supporting communication and understanding our donor base within the broader denomination.
Fundraising experience in a ministry or higher education setting.
Statement of Faith: As Covenant Seminary is the seminary of the Presbyterian Church in America, applicants must provide a written statement of Christian faith in keeping with the mission of the Seminary.
Salary: Undisclosed
Requirements
- Personal commitment to Jesus Christ and support of the Christian character and mission of Covenant Theological Seminary; a clear understanding of and ability to articulate the distinctiveness of a Reformed seminary education.
- A bachelor’s degree.
- Five years of development experience, including closing major gifts, capital campaign work in a higher education setting, or applicable sales/marketing experience; excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to work well independently and as part of a team, taking initiative, setting priorities, and handling multiple projects efficiently and effectively, exercising good judgment, making decisions in ambiguous situations, and processing information and analysis in a fast-paced, dynamic, deadline-driven, professional environment.
- Ability to serve as an externally-focused ambassador for the Seminary, establishing, cultivating, and stewarding strong relationships with donors and friends for building and maintaining positive lifelong partnerships and trust, while also aligning donor passions and goals with those of the institution.
- Motivated to seek innovative ways to achieve results, recognizing and seizing opportunities to develop fundraising strategies and plans that integrate into the organization’s mission, priorities, and goals.
- Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, with the ability to resolve conflicts and differences with prompt attention and communication, seeing every difference as an opportunity for growth and change.
- Creative and organizational gifts with strong attention to detail.
- Ability to maintain confidence and guard confidential information; act in a selfless manner; model the Gospel distinctives and commitments of Covenant Seminary.
How to Apply
THE ORGANIZATION:
Covenant Theological Seminary is the seminary of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Located in Creve Coeur, Missouri, with an enrollment of over 600 students, Covenant’s purpose is to prepare pastors, counselors, and church leaders through graduate-level training programs. Our mission statement is: Covenant Seminary exists to glorify the Triune God by walking in God’s grace, ministering God’s Word, and equipping God’s people, all for God’s mission. With nearly 5,000 alumni serving in every state in the U.S. and over 100 countries, Covenant is one of the largest Reformed and most robust seminaries in the United States.
Covenant Seminary has an annual operating budget of approximately $8.5 million, 80 paid staff, and is located on a 35-acre campus. It has an endowment of over $40 million and receives annual gifts of approximately $3 million. The school successfully completed a $15 million capital campaign in 2008 and a $43 million campaign in 2021.
Primary Contact: James Dickson
Email: humanresources@covenantseminary.edu
Phone: 314.434.4044
Apply Online: View