Oregon State University Foundation

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.

• 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