Blackburn College, a private liberal arts college with a student-managed work program located in Carlinville, Illinois, is seeking a Development Officer (Major Gifts). This role will report directly to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and will travel in their assigned territory up to 50% of the time. Additional essential job functions include:

• Perform necessary prospect research to support the cultivation and growth of the assigned donor and donor prospect base.
• Cultivate and solicit donors and donor prospects for gifts in support of capital, special projects and The Blackburn Fund.
• Identify prospects for major and/or planned gift opportunities.
• Utilize Advancement software solution (Raiser’s Edge NXT) to develop and track plans for $5,000+ prospects as well as significant annual fund prospects and donors with predominant focus on those prospects with capacity of $10,000–$25,000+gifts.
• Manage a portfolio of up to 150 individual donors and donor prospect files including the creation and distribution of pre-call reports and call reports.
• Work with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement to establish annual performance goals (including personal visits and proposals presented) and develop the strategies and tactical plans to achieve them.
• Provide stewardship and foster relationships among various constituencies to increase financial support along with volunteer participation.
• Maintain up-to-date database management for all donors and prospective donors being discovered, cultivated, solicited, and stewarded by Development Officer.
• With primary focus on solicitation and stewardship of donors, the Development Officer will work with department leadership to build and expand current participation and financial support of the donor base. 
• Through direct mail, email and personal solicitations, the Development Officer will focus on renewing and upgrading of current donors, as well as encouraging long-term relationships between the College and the donor.
• May include service as a staff liaison with regional capital campaign committee.

A Bachelor’s degree is required, master’s degree preferred, and at least one-year experience in not-for-profit fundraising including direct donor solicitation, or equivalent. A hybrid/remote option is available for this position, but the individual hired for this position must reside within 250 miles of Blackburn College. 

Blackburn College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks to build an inclusive community that can engage the interests of a diverse population. We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and sustaining a culture that reflects the diversity of our country, and as such we particularly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups such as women, people of color, LGBTQ+, veterans, and those with disabilities.

Send resume, cover letter, an explanation of the importance of diversity and how it informs your work with students, and the names/addresses/phone numbers of three current professional references to Human Resources, Blackburn College, 700 College Ave., Ludlum 215, Carlinville, IL 62626. No phone calls or walk-ins. Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

Blackburn College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks to build an inclusive community that can engage the interests of a diverse population. We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and sustaining a culture that reflects the diversity of our country, and as such, we particularly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups such as women, people of color, LGBTQ+, veterans, and those with disabilities.