Delbarton School, an independent Benedictine Catholic school for young men in grades 7 through 12, seeks an exceptional candidate for the Senior Major Gift Officer (SMGO) position. The SMGO will play a vital role in the major giving program and serve as a front-line fundraising professional in collaboration with the entire Advancement team. 

As a key member of the Major Gifts team, the SMGO will steward donors associated with Delbarton School and its sponsoring Benedictine monastic community, St. Mary’s Abbey. The SMGO will also identify and cultivate new donors and funding opportunities. The SMGO will work closely with the Director of Major Gifts and manage a portfolio of 125 to 165 donors or prospective donors, each with the capacity to contribute between $10,000 and $250,000. 

Additionally, the Senior Major Gift Officer will enhance the School and Abbey’s major gift program by actively cultivating and soliciting significant donations for various philanthropic priorities. 

Position Responsibilities: 

• Become a part of an exclusive major gifts program aimed at promoting the ongoing growth of St.  Mary’s Abbey and the philanthropic community of Delbarton School. 
• Secure major gift contributions of $10,000 or more in support of the Abbey and School. The Sr.  Major Gift Officer will manage a portfolio of major gift donors, will be charged with consistently adding prospects to his or her portfolio, and will support the Director of Major Gifts, the Headmaster and Abbey Development Officer on their respective major gift strategies. 
• Participate in the development, planning, and execution of a comprehensive prospect strategy aimed at successfully cultivating and engaging donors, as well as facilitating solicitations. This strategy will encompass efforts to advance prospects through various giving levels. In addition, actively engage in pipeline meetings alongside major gift professionals from St. Mary’s Abbey and Delbarton School. 
• Play a crucial role in facilitating the identification, development, and implementation of cultivation, stewardship, and volunteer opportunities, as well as organizing campus visits and tours. These efforts aim to enhance engagement among current and prospective donors. 
• Provide support for executing small-scale intimate engagement and event opportunities that educate, inspire, and strengthen major gift donors and prospects. 
• Cultivate donor relationships through a combination of face-to-face meetings, email correspondence, phone calls, and Zoom sessions.
• Ensure that all information pertaining to fundraising strategies and activities, as well as relevant details about donors and potential donors, is entered into Raiser's Edge (RE) efficiently. 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities) 

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.  
• 5-8 years of fundraising experience, or equivalent, in a relevant field.  
• Commitment to supporting and advancing the Roman Catholic mission and identity of St. Mary’s Abbey and Delbarton School. 
• Outstanding written and verbal skills to persuasively communicate the Benedictine Catholic mission of St. Mary’s Abbey and Delbarton School to diverse constituencies. Experience cultivating and closing five and six figure major gifts, utilize moves management, and effectively cultivating and stewarding major donors. 
• Ability to work with and communicate with a wide range of internal constituents including the School Board of Regents, senior School and Abbey leadership, Advancement staff, Business staff and volunteers. 
• Ability to function in a fast-paced, high volume, multifaceted, results-oriented work environment.
• Must have the flexibility to travel occasionally and work evenings and weekends. Must be able to work independently and as part of a team. 
• Must be proficient in research and relevant analysis, including navigation of databases and online resources. 
• Strong working knowledge of the broad national and local philanthropic landscape, prospect research methodology, best practices, and evolving trends in philanthropy highly preferred. 
• Ability to analyze issues, identify priorities, manage projects, and make decisions expeditiously.
• Ability to lead a dynamic team for optimal results. 
• Working knowledge of Raiser’s Edge (RE) software.  

Physical Requirements

• Regularly lifting or carrying 1-20 lbs.
• Regular pushing/pulling/bending/stooping/kneeling
• Regularly climbing stairs**
• Regularly sitting or standing 4-8 hours
• Requires physical presence, work to be performed on campus

** Denotes essential functions of the position

About Delbarton School

Delbarton is a Roman Catholic school for boys, grades 7-12, operated by the Benedictine Monks of St. Mary's Abbey. Delbarton School is founded on the 1500-year tradition of Benedictine learning which, based on the fundamental values that spring from the Judeo-Christian tradition, seeks to develop the whole person, both as an individual creature of spirit, mind, and body, and as a member of a community.

Connections working at Delbarton School