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Gift Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Gift Officer

Lisle, IL · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

Gift Officer Benedictine University is an inclusive academic community, inspired by the Catholic intellectual tradition and Benedictine values. We seek employees who will contribute to the ...

Specifically, the Leadership Gift Officer will manage a portfolio of donors and potential donors to increase their philanthropic support to the University through quality engagement and customer ...

Job Title: Gift Officer Department: Advancement Reports to: Vice President of University Advancement Status: Full-Time, Benefit Eligible Location: Lisle Rate: 65,000 - 75,000 Position Summary:

Principal Gift Officer Sun Devil Athletics, in partnership with the ASU Foundation (ASUF), advances Arizona State University's mission by building transformational partnerships with alumni, fans, and ...

Major Gift Officer

Buffalo, NY · On-site

$70K - $97K/yr

Major Gift Officer Location: Conventus Location of Job : US:NY:Buffalo Work Type : Full-Time Shift 1 The Foundations of Kaleida Health, which includes The Children's Hospital of Buffalo Foundation ...

Digital Gift Officer

Lexington, VA · On-site +1

$63K - $82K/yr

The Digital Gift Officer will employ a disciplined moves-management approach to build meaningful relationships at scale, increase participation and support for the W&L Fund, and develop a robust ...

The Gift Officer is responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of major gift prospects to secure major gifts and sustain long-term philanthropic relationships. Reporting to the SVP Chief ...

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Gift Officer information

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$34.5K

$61K

$111K

How much do gift officer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for gift officer in the United States is $61,004.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,500.00 and $69,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What skills do you need to be a gift officer?

A gift officer needs strong communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with donors. They should have excellent organizational abilities, knowledge of fundraising strategies, and proficiency with donor management software. Fundraising experience and the ability to work independently are also important for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a gift officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Gift Officer, you need a background in fundraising or nonprofit management, strong relationship-building abilities, and often a bachelor's degree in a related field. Familiarity with donor management systems like Raiser's Edge or Salesforce, as well as knowledge of prospect research tools, is typically required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, persuasive communication, and strategic thinking help you engage donors and build lasting partnerships. These skills are vital for securing philanthropic support and advancing the organization's mission.

How does a gift officer typically collaborate with other departments within a nonprofit organization?

Gift Officers regularly work with colleagues in marketing, communications, and program management to develop compelling fundraising campaigns and donor engagement strategies. They coordinate with finance teams to ensure accurate recording and acknowledgment of gifts, and may partner with leadership to identify funding priorities and stewardship opportunities. This cross-departmental collaboration helps Gift Officers tailor their outreach and deepen donor relationships, ultimately supporting the organization’s mission more effectively.

What is the difference between Gift Officer vs Development Associate?

AspectGift OfficerDevelopment Associate
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, experience in fundraisingBachelor's degree, entry-level fundraising experience
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, educational institutionsNonprofits, charities, educational institutions
Employer & Industry UsageFundraising, donor relationsFundraising support, donor database management

The Gift Officer primarily focuses on cultivating and soliciting major gifts from donors, requiring experience and relationship-building skills. The Development Associate supports fundraising efforts through administrative tasks and donor database management. While both roles are essential in nonprofit fundraising, Gift Officers typically have more direct donor engagement responsibilities.

What is a gift officer?

A Gift Officer is a fundraising professional who cultivates and manages relationships with donors, encouraging them to contribute to an organization’s mission. They typically work for non-profits, educational institutions, or hospitals, focusing on securing major gifts and developing long-term giving strategies. Gift Officers communicate with donors, organize fundraising campaigns, and ensure that contributions align with the organization's goals. Their role is crucial in maintaining donor engagement and supporting the financial health of their organization.

How to become a gift officer?

To become a gift officer, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in fields like nonprofit management, communications, or related areas. Gaining experience in fundraising, development, or sales, along with strong interpersonal and communication skills, is essential; some roles may also require knowledge of donor databases and fundraising software.
More about Gift Officer jobs
What cities are hiring for Gift Officer jobs? Cities with the most Gift Officer job openings:
What states have the most Gift Officer jobs? States with the most job openings for Gift Officer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Gift Officer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 62% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 37% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,004 per year, or $29.3 per hour.

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Position Summary: 

Reporting to the Director of Regional Gift Programs, the Regional Gift Officer's primary responsibility is to engage and qualify prospective donors to support the pipeline development and fundraising goals of the OSU Foundation on behalf of Oregon State University.

Through philanthropic conversations and solicitations that lead with the Student Success Initiative, the Regional Gift Officer assesses donor interest and capacity, secures gifts, and refers qualified prospects to Donor Experience Officers (DXO), mid-level and major gift officers for cultivation and long-term relationship building.

The Regional Gift Officer will be expected to devote 85% of work time to qualification activities and 15% of work time to administrative responsibilities. 


Measures of Success:

  • The Regional Gift Officer will engage and build relationships with individuals who have the potential to financially support the University
  • The Regional Gift Officer will qualify 250 potential donors per year, utilizing existing technology and processes
  • Assuming a 10% positive qualification rate, the Regional Gift Officer will refer 25 new potential donors per year to Donor Experience Officers (DXO), mid-level and major gift officer portfolios
  • Annually make 40-50 solicitations of $1,000 to $49,999
  • Secure 15-25 gifts of $1,000 to $49,999
  • The Regional Gift Officer will help build the volunteer pipeline in partnership with Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement teams

Major Duties:  

  • Manage a portfolio of 500-1,000 potential donors based primarily on the West Coast.
  • Qualify potential donors primarily through in‐person visits but also through a variety of modern sales enablement approaches and methods including email, video conferencing, phone, social media, and texting.
  • Promote OSU Foundation philanthropic opportunities, such as university and college giving priorities, cause‐based initiatives, crowdfunding projects, Dam Proud Day, alumni association lifetime memberships.
  • Identify potential leadership annual giving ($1,000 ‐ $49,999) or major gift ($50K+, including potential planned gift donors) and, depending on capacity, work with the Pipeline Development team who will assign to Donor Experience Officer or Major Gift team.
  • Connect potential donors with engagement opportunities that deepen their involvement with the university, for example, regional events, student mentoring and career development support, or college‐based alumni activities.
  • Collaborate with college/university external relations colleagues to broaden and deepen the engagement of alumni, parents and friends across the institution. 
  • Travel from Corvallis frequently with a focus on Washington, Oregon and California. 
  • Perform related administrative duties, including contact reports, coordinating engagement activities, and setting up prospective donor visits. 
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills:

  • Proven track record of success to mid-level to major gift cultivation and solicitation
  • Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to articulate a strong and compelling case for support  
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to create strong professional relationships with colleagues at the Foundation and university  
  • Ability to listen to donor and determine what best engagement plan
  • Strategic, hardworking, and able to work with a high degree of flexibility in a highly-collaborative, fast-paced, goal-oriented environment  
  • Ability to apply creative and entrepreneurial thinking, while applying sound judgment and conducting oneself with integrity  

Education/Experience:

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of two years of experience in development, communications, sales, or another related field, ideally in higher education. Experience equivalencies will be considered.  Candidates must possess a valid driver’s license and must be able to travel by varying modes of transportation.   


Important Organizational Notes: 

The candidate must possess a valid driver’s license and be prepared to work a flexible schedule that may include evenings and weekends to support foundation events and donor-related activities. Adherence to a professional code of conduct is essential at all times, ensuring the highest standards of integrity, respect, and ethical behavior in all interactions and responsibilities.  Adherence to the Core Values is vital to success.

Classification: Exempt

Oregon State University Foundation Core Values

  • Collaborative: We convene our partners to achieve solutions.
  • Productive: We get the right things done.
  • Respectful: We treat one another with dignity and civility.
  • Bold: We aspire to transform.
  • Inclusive: We nurture a culture of belonging.
  • Creative: We color outside the lines.

What We Offer:
 
Compensation: Annual salary starting at $60,000 
 
Comprehensive Benefits: a comprehensive total compensation package, which includes:
  • A monthly employer contribution towards benefits
  • A monthly employer match for a health savings account
  • An impressive 17% employer contribution to retirement plan (based on qualified earnings)
  • A generous Paid Time Off (PTO) program
  • Two exceptional employee discount programs
Professional Growth: At OSU Foundation, we believe in investing in our employees' development. We provide ongoing training and opportunities for advancement. 
                           
Innovative Work Environment: Join a team of talented professionals in a stimulating and collaborative work atmosphere
 
Work Location
 
The work location for this position is the OSU Foundation’s Corvallis, Oregon office. 
The Foundation offers a program called Core Work Days, a hybrid approach combining remote and in office work days. Unless traveling for work, Foundation employees are in office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and work remotely, if preferred, on Monday and Friday.