Director of Philanthropic Engagement

Director of Philanthropic Engagement

Location: MGA - Macon

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Job ID: 298375

About Us

Middle Georgia State University (MGA), a multi‑campus, baccalaureate and graduate degree‑granting public institution, is the most affordable public state university in Georgia. MGA has five campuses—Macon, Cochran, Dublin, Eastman, and Warner Robins—located in central Georgia, and offers a fully‑online campus. Its enrollment of 8,400 students is largely comprised of students from most of Georgia’s 159 counties. The University has six academic schools, including Georgia’s flagship aviation program, that support its mission to educate and graduate inspired, lifelong learners whose scholarship and careers enhance the state.

Job Summary

This position is responsible for conducting fundraising and philanthropic efforts on behalf of the university. It assists in identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting current and prospective donors and manages a portfolio of donors with capacity to make gifts of $5,000 or more.

Responsibilities

Major/Leadership Gift Fundraising (75%)

• Actively manage a focused portfolio of major gift prospects and donors by guiding their cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship while setting goals to expand the base of major gift prospects.
• Advance individual relationships that result in philanthropic contributions for the university.
• Organize in‑person visits between prospects and key university personnel for cultivating relationships and making solicitations.
• Manage and solicit a portfolio of 125–150 major gift prospective and current donors, conducting at least 150 personal visits annually.
• Devise personalized engagement plans for each assigned prospect that include strategies of engagement and solicitations.
• Give presentations to communicate the fundraising priorities and needs for Middle Georgia State University.
• Travel to visit with donors within the state of Georgia and bordering states.

Operations (20%)

• Attend and participate in University Advancement meetings.
• Gather, record, and properly store information about prospects and donors utilizing the Raiser’s Edge database to manage prospective donor strategies and moves, documenting all prospect interactions in a complete and timely fashion.
• Other duties as may be assigned by the Chief Development Officer & Vice President for University Advancement / Executive Director of the Middle Georgia State University Foundation.

Special Events (5%)

• Assist with foundation and alumni events and projects.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

• Minimum of a baccalaureate degree.

Other Required Qualifications

• Ability to manage an active portfolio of 125–150 major gift prospects in all aspects of the development cycle.
• Ability to develop, maintain and grow interpersonal relationships with university alumni, donors, friends, corporate partners, administrators, faculty, and staff.
• Knowledgeable of donor database, contact management, and tracking systems, preferably Raiser’s Edge.
• Willingness to be hands‑on in a role that is demanding and requires a high level of energy and professionalism.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills and ability to prioritize workload in a timely manner to complete assignments with many deadlines and competing requirements.
• Ability to communicate well and build rapport quickly with donors, faculty, and colleagues.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 3–5 years (direct or equivalent) experience managing high‑level donor relationships with demonstrated success in closing gifts of $10,000 and above.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of development and fundraising program principles and best practices.
• Knowledge of marketing principles and methods.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices involved in the solicitation and securing of major gifts.
• Skill in collaborating with multiple constituents.
• Skill in the operation of computers and job‑related software programs.
• Skill in decision‑making and problem solving.
• Skill in interpersonal relations and in dealing with the public.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Ability to synthesize and make data‑driven decisions.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of its 25 institutions of higher education and a system office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at

Institutional Values

Middle Georgia State University is committed to four core values: Stewardship, Engagement, Adaptability, and Learning.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Middle Georgia State University is committed to ensuring a safe learning environment that supports the dignity of all members of the University community. Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG) and Middle Georgia State University. Pursuant to Board of Regents Policy Section 6.6, federal and state laws and regulations, and our vision, mission, and values, Middle Georgia State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (“protected status”). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under any USG program or activity because of the individual’s protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual’s protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.

Other Information

This is a full‑time, 12‑month, exempt (salaried) staff position and includes a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include:

• Health insurance
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Life Insurance
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Leave
• Parental Leave
• Retirement
• Employee discounts
• Tuition reimbursement

Background Check

Employment offer is contingent upon completing a background investigation, including a criminal background check demonstrating your employment eligibility with MGA, as determined by MGA in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application material, and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check.