Minor Gifts Officer in Fairfield, Iowa at Maharishi International University

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the CEO, the Minor Gifts Officer supports the fundraising goals and plans of MIU's Institutional Development Office by building and stewarding relationships with a broad base of donors whose giving falls below the major-gift level. The position carries out annual-giving and mid-level giving strategies, identifies and qualifies new prospects, and moves donors steadily along the giving pipeline, including toward major-gift and planned-giving consideration.

Working with the University President, Development Office leadership, and colleagues across the university, the Minor Gifts Officer helps connect donor interests with MIU's priorities and opportunities. The role also supports fundraising events and campaigns, prepares donor communications and materials, and maintains accurate records to support a strong and sustained culture of philanthropy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Communications, Education, Nonprofit Management, or a related field.
• One to three years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, annual giving, or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build relationships with donors and prospective contributors.
• Ability to manage a large number of donor relationships, projects, and deadlines effectively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to prepare clear reports.
• Experience using donor-management software or another CRM system.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in fundraising or donor relations within higher education or the nonprofit sector.
• Demonstrated success growing annual-fund or mid-level giving, or managing a large donor portfolio.
• Familiarity with fundraising CRMs, such as Bloomerang or similar platforms.
• Experience with direct-response fundraising, including email, phone, and digital appeals.
• Familiarity with MIU's culture, Consciousness Based Education concepts, strategy, programs, and funding opportunities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

MINOR GIFTS STRATEGY AND CAMPAIGNS

• Plan and carry out minor-gift and annual-giving strategies aligned with annual goals and Institutional Development Office plans, in coordination with the CEO and Development Office leadership.
• Support annual, major-gift, planned-giving, endowment, and capital campaigns by identifying donors ready to move to higher giving levels.
• Work with Development Office colleagues, as well as colleagues from other departments, to develop compelling cases for support that connect donor interests with MIU's mission, programs, and priorities.

DONOR RELATIONSHIPS AND PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

• Identify, research, and qualify prospective donors, including alumni, parents, friends of the university, and other individual contributors.
• Manage a portfolio of minor-gift donors and prospects, track activity through the gift cycle, and maintain accurate engagement records in the fundraising database.
• Build and maintain relationships through personalized outreach, including email, phone, mail, and virtual and in-person meetings, along with cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Prepare appeals, proposals, acknowledgments, and other donor communications that support giving and stewardship, and ensure prompt, personal thanks to every donor.
• Develop and carry out stewardship plans that encourage repeat and increased giving, including recurring and monthly giving.
• Identify donors with major-gift or planned-giving potential and refer them to the appropriate Development Office colleague with a clear summary of their history and interests.

EVENTS AND INSTITUTIONAL COLLABORATION

• Help organize and support donor events, webinars, giving-day campaigns, and other outreach activities.
• Support Development Office events and activities by tracking plans, following up on assigned tasks, and helping address implementation needs.
• Serve as a liaison with relevant stakeholders and collaborate with colleagues, including Marketing and Alumni Relations, to align fundraising outreach with MIU's priorities and messaging.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare reports on portfolio activity, giving trends, and results, and maintain accurate fundraising records and documentation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS

• Strong relationship-building, communication, and donor-engagement skills.

• Ability to research prospects, identify giving interests, and manage a high-volume donor portfolio.
• Effective organization, prioritization, and follow-through across many donors, projects, and deadlines.
• Proficiency with donor-management software, CRM systems, Microsoft Office, and report preparation.
• Ability to write clear appeals, donor communications, and cases for support.
• Collaborative approach to working with Development Office colleagues and University stakeholders