Career Center

St. Andrew’s School is seeking a major gifts officer to support the school’s mission through philanthropy. St. Andrew’s was founded in 1929 as an independent, Episcopal boarding school. The school educates about 315 students from around the world each year in an all-residential setting, and has a long-standing commitment to financial aid and socioeconomic diversity. Our students and faculty come from a wide range of backgrounds, traditions, and experiences, and it is this variety that creates a vibrant and challenging learning environment that makes our worlds larger.

The major gifts officer maximizes giving to the school by establishing long-term relationships with a group of assigned, qualified prospects to help them fulfill their passions and interests through their giving to St. Andrew’s School and, in doing so, assure that the school achieves its strategic goals and priorities.

Essential Functions:

Donor Cultivation and Engagement:

• Identify, cultivate, and build strong relationships with major gift prospects with a portfolio of approximately 150-175 prospects, including alumni, parents, alumni parents, and other supporters of St. Andrew’s School.
• Conduct at least 120 personal prospect visits on a yearly basis.
• Develop a deep understanding of donor interests, motivations, and giving capacity to tailor personalized cultivation strategies.

Major Gift Solicitation:

• Collaborate with the director of capital and planned giving and other team members to establish fundraising goals and devise comprehensive solicitation plans for major gift prospects.
• Utilize a moves management approach to strategically guide prospects through the giving process.
• Make direct solicitations for major gifts, seeking philanthropic support for school programs, scholarships, facilities, and other priority initiatives.
• Plan and prepare for effective joint visits with the head of school, chief advancement officer, director of capital and planned giving, administrators, trustees, faculty, and volunteers.
• Achieve fundraising goals as determined by the director of capital and planned giving and the chief advancement officer, while also contributing to the department’s established fundraising goals.

Donor Stewardship:

• Ensure timely and meaningful stewardship of major gift donors, expressing appreciation for their contributions and providing regular updates on the impact of their gifts.
• Work with the stewardship and donor relations manager to develop individualized stewardship plans to maintain ongoing engagement and foster long-term relationships.

Prospect Research:

• Conduct prospect research to identify new major gift prospects and assess their capacity and inclination to give.
• Utilize prospect research tools and resources to gather comprehensive information on potential donors.

Collaborative Teamwork:

• Collaborate closely with the advancement team, including the directors of the Saints Fund, alumni relations, and communications to align fundraising efforts and ensure consistent messaging.
• Support the coordination of fundraising events and initiatives, providing expertise on major gift prospect involvement.
• Work closely with the advancement writer to create focused and compelling funding proposals for donors.

Data Management and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of donor interactions in the school’s database.
• Prepare regular progress reports on major gift fundraising activities, including pipeline updates and donor engagement metrics.

Job Requirements:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in fundraising, with a focus on major gift solicitation, preferably in an educational or nonprofit environment.
• Ability to qualify major gift prospects that represent the highest giving potential for the school, traveling approximately 40 to 50 percent of the time. Overnight travel is expected.
• Demonstrated success in securing major gifts and meeting fundraising targets.
• Ability to secure project and organization information and create and write effective proposals and requests.
• Possess the confidence and skill to ask prospective donors in a face-to-face meeting to make a major financial contribution.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to connect authentically with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities, capable of managing multiple priorities effectively.
• Possess a deep appreciation for education and a commitment to the mission of St. Andrew’s School.
• Demonstrated interest and comfort in using technology and software programs. Raisers Edge experience is a plus.
• Availability for extensive travel and weekend/evening events as needed.
• Bachelor’s degree is strongly preferred.

Physical Demands:  

• Significant business travel.
• Some sedentary work on a computer is performed in an office setting.
• Intermittent physical activity including standing, kneeling, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Environment subject to frequent interruptions; varying and unpredictable situations; some pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries.

Conditions of Hire:

• A thorough background check, inclusive of fingerprinting and Child Protection Registry Check, is required as a condition of employment.
• Applicant must complete satisfactory reference checks, confirmation of compliance with federal and state employment laws, and any other required condition of employment.

To Apply:

St. Andrew’s School is an equal opportunity employer.  We welcome diverse candidates of all backgrounds, faiths, and persuasions, and seek to foster an inclusive, welcoming community environment.

This job description is intended to describe the basic, critical elements of the job and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. 

Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume, and references.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  To request an auxiliary aid or service please call (302) 285-4211. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.  St. Andrew’s School is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in fundraising, with a focus on major gift solicitation, preferably in an educational or nonprofit environment.
• Ability to qualify major gift prospects that represent the highest giving potential for the school, traveling approximately 40 to 50 percent of the time. Overnight travel is expected.
• Demonstrated success in securing major gifts and meeting fundraising targets.
• Ability to secure project and organization information and create and write effective proposals and requests.
• Possess the confidence and skill to ask prospective donors in a face-to-face meeting to make a major financial contribution.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to connect authentically with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities, capable of managing multiple priorities effectively.
• Possess a deep appreciation for education and a commitment to the mission of St. Andrew’s School.
• Demonstrated interest and comfort in using technology and software programs. Raisers Edge experience is a plus.
• Availability for extensive travel and weekend/evening events as needed.
• Bachelor’s degree is strongly preferred.

Physical Demands:  

• Significant business travel.
• Some sedentary work on a computer is performed in an office setting.
• Intermittent physical activity including standing, kneeling, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Environment subject to frequent interruptions; varying and unpredictable situations; some pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries.

Conditions of Hire:

• A thorough background check, inclusive of fingerprinting and Child Protection Registry Check, is required as a condition of employment.
• Applicant must complete satisfactory reference checks, confirmation of compliance with federal and state employment laws, and any other required condition of employment.

About St. Andrew's School

Founded in 1929 with an unprecedented commitment to financial aid, St. Andrew's School is an Episcopal, co-educational boarding school for grades 9 – 12 situated on 2,200 acres in Middletown, Delaware. Please visit www.standrews-de.org for more information.

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