Gift Planner
Saint Peter, MN
Posted 6 weeks ago
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Job Description
Advancement
Description
JOB SUMMARY: Gift Planners in the Office of Advancement work as an integrated team of diversely talented fundraising professionals to cultivate, solicit, and secure major and planned gifts for the College.
Employment Status: Full-Time (1.0 FTE), Exempt (Salaried), Benefits Eligible
Salary Range: $78,000-95,000
How to apply: Continue here or visit https://gustavus.edu/jobs/ to complete the online application and submit a resume and cover letter. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Anticipated start date = Summer 2026
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Spend at least 60% of one's time traveling and meeting in the field with prospective donors; half of this time may be spent traveling outside of the Twin Cities region; participate in the Office of Advancement's mutual accountability prospect management process.
- Work closely and collaboratively with all members of the Advancement staff, the President and executive staff, members of the Board of Trustees, senior college administrators and faculty to accomplish fundraising goals.
- Provide primary leadership for developing and carrying out the fundraising efforts in select strategic market regions and support the constituents associated with those regions.
- Work with colleagues to develop and implement successful gift planning marketing, education, recognition, and stewardship programs; and participate in growing the membership of the College's recognition societies.
- Through fundraising success, participate in the implementation of the strategic plans for the College.
- Advance in professional expertise; participate in professional organizations and attend pertinent local, regional, and national continuing education meetings as the budget allows.
- Report to the Associate Vice President for Advancement; works closely and collaboratively with the Vice President and other members of the gift planning staff.
- All other duties as assigned.
Prerequisites
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree.
- Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and closing major outright and deferred gifts at the high six-figure and seven-figure level.
- Minimum of 5 years direct fundraising experience and portfolio management.
- Proven experience in carrying out annual, capital and/or comprehensive fundraising campaigns, and meeting annual goals.
- Ability to effectively lead and manage volunteers for fundraising, while working as a collaborative member of a team.
- Has a technical understanding of planned giving alternatives, deferred gift instruments, planned giving software, and gift agreements.
- Demonstrated success in working independently and collaboratively - remotely and in person - with a thorough understanding of dashboard management practices.
- Excellent interpersonal and public communication skills.
- Ability to create and maintain positive relationships with constituents.
- Must maintain high levels of confidentiality.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Advanced degree in a discipline related to the field.
- Experience with and commitment to the mission of a church-related liberal arts college.
- 7+ years of direct portfolio-based fundraising experience, especially cultivating, soliciting, and closing seven-figure gifts.
Working Environment:
- Must be able to work extended hours during the week and occasionally weekends.
- Travel required.
Gustavus offers competitive and comprehensive benefits which include:
- Medical insurance (which includes access to Nice Healthcare) as well as dental, vision, and life insurance
- Workplace accommodations for physical or mental health concerns
- Onsite health services
- Free parking, exercise classes, and use of library and athletic facilities
- Paid parental leave
- Employer contribution to retirement savings plan (after one year of employment)
- Tuition scholarships for dependents
- Tuition benefit plan for employees and spouse
- 13 paid Holidays + generous PTO plan
Gustavus Adolphus College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status in its education or employment programs or activities.
Gustavus Adolphus College is one of the nation's leading private liberal arts colleges serving approximately 1,800 students. The College aspires to be a community of persons from diverse backgrounds who respect and affirm the dignity of all people. Known for its strong science, writing, music, athletics, study-away, and service-learning programs, Gustavus is located on a scenic 340-acre hill in St. Peter, Minnesota only one hour southwest of the Twin Cities.
Contact
Ann Sponberg Peterson '83 | annpeterson@gustavus.edu | 507-933-7543
Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2026
To apply, visit https://gustavus.edu/employment/job/2413
jeid-84fab6381eaa2a42b256fa2d4f8f7125
Gustavus Adolphus College
Gustavus Adolphus College is a church-related, residential liberal arts college firmly rooted in its Swedish and Lutheran heritage.The College offers students of high aspiration and promise a liberal arts education of recognized excellence provided by faculty who embody the highest standards of teaching and scholarship. The Gustavus curriculum is designed to bring students to mastery of a particular area of study within a general framework that is both interdisciplinary and international in perspective.The College strives to balance educational tradition with innovation and to foster the development of values as an integral part of intellectual growth. It seeks to promote the open exchange of ideas and the independent pursuit of learning.The College aspires to be a community of persons from diverse backgrounds who respect and affirm the dignity of all people. It is a community where a mature understanding of the Christian faith and lives of service are nurtured and students are encouraged to work toward a just and peaceful world.The purpose of a Gustavus education is to help its students attain their full potential as persons, to develop in them a capacity and passion for lifelong learning, and to prepare them for fulfilling lives of leadership and service in society.Implicit in this statement of institutional purpose and goals are certain institutional values that guide the Gustavus community. These values are rooted in our distinctive heritage and help to define our community. They also help us to focus on appropriate objectives for our college, guide the selection of priorities among those objectives, and help to shape the strategies we will pursue in the face of various challenges and opportunities. They are Excellence, Service, Justice, Faith, and Community.
