Job Details

Position Title: Major Gift Officer (or Campaign Gift Officer)

Department: Office of Advancement
Supervisor: Keith Potter
Status: Full-time, benefit eligible

Bushnell University Overview

Founded in 1895, Bushnell University provides a holistic Christian education, fostering wisdom, faith, and service in its students. In joining the staff here, you will be part of an academic community that seeks to cultivate your faith while you make a difference in the lives of our students. Bushnell is the largest private university in Eugene's vibrant university district, which also includes the University of Oregon. Eugene is a college town small enough to know your neighbors and large enough to offer fantastic arts, entertainment, dining, healthcare, and educational opportunities. It is also an ideal place to enjoy the beautiful Pacific Northwest, being just one hour from the Oregon Coast, one hour from the Cascade Mountains, and less than two hours from Portland and the Columbia River Gorge.

Job Summary

The Major Gift Officer (MGO) advances the mission of the college by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors who are inspired to invest in Christ-centered education. This role manages a portfolio of major gift prospects and leads the institution's planned and estate giving efforts. The MGO plays a key role in the college's comprehensive capital campaign, partnering with campus leadership to secure transformational gifts that strengthen the institution's long-term impact and sustainability.

Position Duties & Responsibilities

Major Gifts Cultivation and Solicitation

• Manage a portfolio of 100-150 major gift prospects including alumni, parents, friends, churches, and community partners who resonate with the college's faith-based mission.
• Develop individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies that integrate donors' philanthropic goals with the college's campaign priorities.
• Conduct regular donor visits to advance relationships and secure major gifts at the $10,000+ level.
• Serve as a frontline ambassador for the comprehensive campaign, communicating vision, progress, and opportunities for leadership-level investment.
• Collaborate with the President, VP for Advancement, and campaign volunteers to support high-level solicitations and strategic donor engagement.

Planned & Estate Giving

• Lead the college's planned giving program, including bequests, charitable gift annuities, beneficiary designations, and other deferred giving vehicles.
• Identify planned giving prospects within the major gift portfolio and broader donor community, including church partners and legacy-minded supporters.
• Provide donors with clear, mission-aligned information about planned giving options (without offering legal or financial advice).
• Strengthen and grow the Legacy Society stewardship, events, and targeted communication.
• Coordinate with legal and financial advisors, ensuring planned gifts are structured in alignment with donor intent and institutional policy.

Faith-Driven Donor Engagement

• Engage donors in ways that reflect the college's Christian identity, including prayerful discernment, mission storytelling, and values-based relationship building.
• Communicate how gifts advance Christ-centered education, student formation, and the college's long-term ministry impact.
• Support donor events, church-based engagement opportunities, and mission-focused gatherings that deepen community connection.

Stewardship & Advancement Operations

• Ensure timely, meaningful stewardship for all major and planned gifts, including campaign-specific recognition.
• Maintain accurate donor records, contact reports, and projections in partnership Donor Relations.
• Provide regular updates on portfolio activity, campaign progress, and revenue forecasts.

Collaboration & Institutional Partnership

• Work closely with academic leaders, faculty, and ministry partners to align donor interests with institutional priorities.
• Participate in campaign planning, case development, and volunteer training.
• Contribute to a collaborative, mission-centered Advancement team culture.

Experience and Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or CFRE preferred.
• 3-5 years of fundraising experience, preferably in higher education, ministry, or nonprofit development.
• Demonstrated success in securing major gifts and managing donor relationships.
• Familiarity with planned giving concepts and willingness to deepen expertise.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills grounded in Christian character and professionalism.
• Deep alignment with the college's Christian mission and values.
• Ability to communicate faith-driven impact with authenticity and clarity.
• Strategic thinker comfortable working in a small-team environment and within a campaign structure.
• High level of discretion, integrity, and donor-centered judgment.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and energized by building long-term relationships.

Knowledge of / Experience with

• Facility with fundraising CRMs (Raiser's Edge NXT preferred)
• Experience with Outlook, Microsoft Suite, and Basic AI Tools

Working Conditions/Special Requirements

• Bushnell employees must have a maturing Christian faith and live in compliance with the duties and expectations as detailed in the Employee Handbook.
• The position requires a strong commitment to multiculturalism and diversity.
• The position requires working in a non-smoking, drug free environment.
• The employee must adhere to FERPA guidelines and student confidentiality at all times.
• All employees of Bushnell are "mandatory reporters" under Oregon law. See for specific information.
• The employee must have knowledge of strong office management techniques; operations, procedures, specific rules and precedents of the office; research methods and report writing techniques; record-keeping techniques; operation of office machines including computer equipment and specified software; principles of training and providing work direction.
• The position requires a strong ability to communicate effectively and succinctly, both verbally and in writing, utilizing tact, patience and courtesy.
• Listening skills and the ability to speak and write clearly are essential to this position. Must possess exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• The employee must have high personal motivation, with great attention to detail and accuracy.
• This person must project a positive, vibrant and professional attitude in assisting people.
• This person must have high ethics of honesty and confidentiality, with a genuine and gracious presence pertaining to the students, faculty, staff and business of the department and the University.
• This position may require lifting up to 25 lbs, as well as bending, stooping, kneeling.
• This position description is subject to change at any time.
• Ability to travel regionally and work occasional evenings or weekends.

Application Instructions

Bushnell employees are expected to abide by the Theological Context for Bushnell Community Life. Please read this document (see link below) before continuing.

To be considered for this position, please click "Apply" below. You will be asked to submit all of the following:

• Bushnell Employment Application
• Cover letter addressing skills, experience, and knowledge
• CV/Resume
• Personal Statement of Faith that clearly addresses all three of the sections below:
  • Section 1: how a maturing Christian faith finds expression in the candidate's personal life, family life, community life, and current church membership;
  • Section 2: how the candidate integrates faith into his or her work life; and
  • Section 3: the candidate's understanding of and ability to support Bushnell's Theological Context for Community statement.
• Contact Information for three references, one of which must be the applicant's pastor or another appropriate church leader who is able to address the applicant's faith background.

*Please include all requested materials. Incomplete application packets may result in disqualification.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Mark Cameron at 541-684-7215 or mcameron@bushnell.edu.

In compliance with the Clery Act, Bushnell University provides our Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report. You may request a paper copy from the Office of Student Life by calling 541-684-7345. This report is required by federal law and contains policy statements and crime statistics for the university.

Creation Date: 4/2026