Philanthropic Engagement Officer, Major Gifts

Description

Our Advancement team is vital to the mission of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), cultivating relationships and philanthropic partnerships that sustain theological education and help LSTC respond faithfully and creatively to the needs of church and world. Through this work, the Philanthropic Engagement Officer will invite donors into deeper relationship with LSTC's mission and help secure the resources necessary for the institution and its students to thrive for generations to come.

LSTC's commitments to justice, inclusion, and care for the whole createion shape not only what we teach, but how we understand community, stewardship, partnership, and philanthropy.

LSTC is seeking a relational, strategic, and results-oriented Philanthropic Engagement Officer to strengthen and expand the institution's major-gifts program.

Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, the Philanthropic Engagement Officer will build authentic relationships with individuals who have the capacity and desire to make significant philanthropic investments in LSTC's mission. The PEO will manage a portfolio of approximately 100-125 qualified major-gift prospects, guiding relationships thoughtfully from identification and qualification through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The position is expected to secure approximately $500,000-$750,000 in gifts annually, with particular attention to donors capable of making gifts of $5,000 to $250,000 or more.

This position will play an important role in The Campaign for LSTC – Phase II while helping establish a sustainable major-gifts program that extends beyond the campaign. Success requires equal parts relationship building, disciplined portfolio management, compelling communication, collaboration, and the ability to connect a donor's philanthropic aspirations with LSTC's mission and future.

This is a hybrid position with approximately 30% travel. When not traveling on behalf of LSTC, the position ordinarily works on campus two days per week.

Key Responsibilities

• Major Gift Fundraising: Manage an active portfolio of approximately 100-125 qualified prospects, developing individualized strategies that lead to meaningful philanthropic engagement and gifts generally ranging from $5,000 to $250,000 or more. Work toward an annual fundraising goal of approximately $500,000-$750,000.
• Donor Relationships: Build authentic, sustained relationships with donors and prospective donors by developing a deep understanding of their interests, motivations, values, and philanthropic aspirations. Create opportunities for them to connect meaningfully with LSTC's students, faculty, programs, leadership, and mission.
• Cultivation & Solicitation: Design and execute personalized cultivation and solicitation strategies, including face-to-face and virtual donor visits, substantive engagement opportunities, proposals, and formal gift solicitations.
• Prospect & Portfolio Management: Use a disciplined moves-management process to advance prospects through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Maintain clear strategies, next steps, and timelines for portfolio relationships and accurately document donor activity in Raiser's Edge NXT and campaign strategy in Asana.
• Stewardship & Donor Care: Ensure that donors experience timely, meaningful, and personalized stewardship. Share the impact of their generosity and cultivate sustained relationships that encourage continued giving, deeper engagement, and, when appropriate, consideration of planned gifts.
• Campaign Engagement: Support the goals and priorities of The Campaign for LSTC – Phase II by partnering with Advancement colleagues, institutional leaders, campaign volunteers, and other ambassadors to cultivate and solicit prospective donors. Participate in campaign events and contribute to proposals and donor-facing materials.
• Strategic Partnership: Collaborate closely with the Vice President for Advancement and colleagues across LSTC to strengthen the major-gift pipeline, identify emerging philanthropic opportunities, and develop strategies that advance institutional priorities.
• Constituency Engagement: Represent LSTC at alumni gatherings, ELCA and Lutheran church events, donor meetings, and other gatherings that create opportunities to deepen relationships and introduce new people to LSTC's mission.
• Analysis & Accountability: Monitor portfolio health, pipeline movement, donor engagement, solicitations, commitments, and revenue. Provide regular reporting and use data to refine fundraising strategies, identify opportunities, and responsibly steward LSTC's advancement resources.
• Community Participation: Participate as an engaged member of the LSTC community, contributing to a collaborative culture rooted in hospitality, mutual respect, justice, care for the whole creation, and shared commitment to LSTC's mission.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree, CFRE credential, or additional professional development in fundraising, nonprofit leadership, higher education, theology, or a related field is welcomed.
• Experience: Five or more years of progressively responsible fundraising, advancement, donor relations, or comparable relationship-development experience, including demonstrated experience cultivating and soliciting individual donors. Comparable combinations of education and relevant professional experience will be considered.
• Major Gifts: Demonstrated ability to build trusting donor relationships and successfully solicit significant philanthropic gifts. Experience managing a major-gift portfolio and working within a capital or comprehensive campaign is strongly preferred.
• Relationship Building & Communication: Exceptional interpersonal, listening, writing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage donors authentically and translate institutional priorities into compelling opportunities for philanthropic partnership.
• Organization & Strategy: Demonstrated ability to manage a substantial portfolio, prioritize competing responsibilities, follow through consistently, and use a disciplined moves-management approach.
• Technical Skills: Experience using donor-management or CRM systems; experience with Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT and project-management platforms such as Asana is preferred. The current position relies on both platforms for donor and campaign activity management.
• Travel & Availability: Ability and willingness to travel approximately 30% of the time and to participate occasionally in evening or weekend donor, alumni, campaign, or church-related events.
• Mission & Values Alignment: An appreciation for LSTC's identity as an ELCA seminary and a commitment to the institution's mission and values. We welcome candidates of all faith traditions, and those of no faith tradition, who share LSTC's commitments to justice, inclusion, and care for the whole creation.

Total Rewards & Benefits

LSTC is committed to the well-being and future of our employees. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Retirement: A 10% non-elective employer contribution to the employee's 403(b) retirement plan. LSTC contributes 10% of salary even if the employee contributes 0%.
• Health: Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Hybrid Flexibility: A balance of meaningful in-person collaboration in Hyde Park with remote-work flexibility. This position ordinarily requires two days per week on campus when not traveling on LSTC business.
• Quality of Life: Six four-day workweeks during the summer, a full week off at the end of the calendar year, and regular access to worship, community gatherings, and spiritual enrichment opportunities on campus.
• Professional Engagement: Opportunities to strengthen relationships across the ELCA, theological education, philanthropy, and the broader LSTC community.
• Culture: A mission-driven and community-focused working environment that values justice, equity, inclusion, collaboration, and care for the whole creation.

LSTC is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color, women, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Application Process

Please utilize the online application portal to submit your resume and a letter of interest that includes a) your reasons for applying, b) your work experience as a fundraising professional, and c) a description of how you connect to LSTC’s mission. Please submit all applications through the employment application portal: