Leadership Gift Officer

Center for the Advancement of Public Action, Bennington College

. Develop and implement individualized qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for assigned constituents .

Posted 10/17/2026full-timeRemote • Vermont • United StatesSenior💰 $82,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in frontline fundraising, relationship management, and donor engagement strategies, with a strong focus on achieving measurable fundraising goals and building sustained relationships with diverse constituents.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Frontline Fundraising ExperienceRelationship ManagementPortfolio Management SkillsCRM or Donor-Management Database ExperienceExcellent Communication Skills

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Fundraising StrategiesData AnalysisProspect ResearchMoves-Management SystemsDonor SolicitationGoal AchievementEvent PlanningProposal PreparationDonor EngagementMulti-Year Commitment Securing

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsOrganizational SkillsListening SkillsInitiativeJudgment and Discretion

Tools & Technologies

CRM SoftwareDonor-Management DatabasesPortfolio Management Tools

Industry Keywords

Higher Education AdvancementNonprofit FundraisingPhilanthropyConstituent EngagementAlumni Relations

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and implement individualized qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for assigned constituents
Personally solicit leadership annual gifts, focusing on renewing and increasing gifts in the $10,000–$100,000 range and securing multi-year commitments
Conduct approximately 8–12 meaningful in-person or virtual donor and prospect visits each month
Build a consistent pipeline of prospective donors through qualification, discovery, engagement, and solicitation
Identify individuals with major and planned gift potential and partner with senior development colleagues on next-step strategies and transitions
Meet or exceed annual goals for fundraising revenue, donor visits, qualifications, solicitations, renewals, upgrades, and other KPIs
Use prospect research, data analysis, and portfolio management tools to evaluate and prioritize relationships
Maintain accurate records of donor interactions, strategies, proposals, contact reports, demographic updates, and moves-management activity in the constituent database
Build sustained relationships with alumni, parents, friends, trustees, and other constituents
Represent Bennington College within the Western United States
Connect donor interests with opportunities to support the College
Communicate Bennington College’s mission, academic programs, student experience, institutional priorities, and philanthropic opportunities
Prepare personalized donor correspondence, proposals, gift documentation, briefing materials, and other communications
Steward donors in partnership with Donor Relations and Institutional Advancement colleagues
Identify donor engagement opportunities through College events, regional gatherings, campus programs, and volunteer opportunities
Collaborate across Institutional Advancement, Major Gifts, Annual Giving, Alumni and Constituent Engagement, Donor Relations, Special Events, Advancement Services, and Institutional and Academic Grants
Partner with College leadership, trustees, faculty, staff, and volunteers to advance constituent relationships and philanthropic opportunities
Identify emerging donor interests, philanthropic trends, and engagement opportunities
Share donor insights with colleagues to ensure coordinated relationship management
Contribute to a collaborative, flexible, and goal-oriented Advancement team culture
Support planning and execution of cultivation, stewardship, and engagement opportunities in the Western United States
Attend and staff select College and Advancement events
Represent Bennington College professionally at regional events and gatherings

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience
Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in frontline fundraising, sales, account management, relationship management, business development, or a related field
Experience in higher education advancement or nonprofit fundraising is preferred
Valid/current driver’s license and ability to travel independently
Ability to establish and sustain meaningful relationships with a wide range of individuals
Comfort and effectiveness initiating conversations about philanthropy and making direct person-to-person solicitations
Strong organizational and portfolio-management skills
Ability to manage multiple relationships, priorities, and deadlines independently
Ability to set priorities, take initiative, follow through consistently, and work toward measurable goals
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
Strong listening skills and ability to translate constituent interests into meaningful engagement and philanthropic opportunities
Experience using CRM or donor-management databases
Familiarity with fundraising and moves-management systems is preferred
Comfort using data, research, and technology to inform portfolio strategy and fundraising activity
Ability to work independently in a remote environment and collaboratively as part of a distributed team
Professional interaction with donors and colleagues
Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential information
Ability to work respectfully and effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives
Willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout the Western United States and periodically to Bennington, Vermont, and other locations as needed
Successful completion of a background check

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Life insurance
Long-term disability insurance
Retirement benefits
Tuition benefits, including Tuition Exchange scholarships
On-site fitness center
Generous time off benefits
Fully remote work arrangement