Associate Development Officer

Knox College

Associate Development Officer at Knox College managing donor relationships and philanthropic giving initiatives. Responsible for cultivating prospective donors and ensuring ongoing engagement with the College's advancement program.

Posted 8/1/2026full-timeGalesburg • Illinois • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $59,000 - $64,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates strong relationship management capabilities with a focus on donor engagement, effective communication, and strategic planning. Possesses a solid foundation in fundraising practices and the ability to cultivate meaningful connections with prospects.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Fundraising ExperienceRelationship ManagementExcellent Written CommunicationInterpersonal SkillsOrganizational Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Prospect QualificationDiscovery StepsGift Proposal WritingEvent CoordinationData Management

Soft Skills

CollaborationGenuine Rapport BuildingIntellectual CuriosityEagerness to LearnDiscretion

Certifications & Qualifications

Baccalaureate DegreeValid Driver's License

Industry Keywords

Higher EducationLiberal Arts InstitutionDonor StewardshipAdvancement StrategyMission-Driven Work

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Manage a dynamic portfolio of approximately 120-140 prospects, focused primarily on discovery, qualification, and gifts in the $1,500–$25,000 range.
Conduct outreach, calls, and visits to assess prospect interest, giving capacity, and readiness for deeper cultivation.
Complete a combination of 200 discovery/qualification steps per year (including 100 in-person or virtual visits) with donors and donor prospects.
Regular participation in team meetings, training sessions, and prospect strategy discussions.
Partner with Advancement leadership and colleagues on strategy and smooth hand-off of prospects and/or next steps as they are qualified for major gift attention.
Identify ways to increase involvement of donors and donor prospects in the activities of the College, and provide appropriate stewardship for donors.
Carefully review files prior to donor visits and write and file timely and thorough reports, including acknowledgments, contact reports and individual gift proposals.
Participate with Advancement colleagues and others in regular planning meetings that facilitate initiating, developing, and implementing donor relationships, appropriate events, communications, activities, and campaigns.
Work with volunteers or key stakeholders on communication and event coordination.
Assist with Advancement and College events and logistics as needed.
Assist Advancement with special projects and/or new initiatives as needed.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Baccalaureate degree and 1–2 years of experience in fundraising, sales, admissions, or a similar relationship-management field.
Genuine intellectual curiosity and an appreciation for mission-driven work; prior experience in higher education or with a liberal arts institution is a plus.
Eagerness to learn, take feedback, and grow into a major gift officer role over time.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport quickly and genuinely.
Possess excellent written, and oral communication skills, as well as organizational and collaboration skills.
Candidate must have the highest ethical standards and have the discretion and ability to maintain confidences and confidential material.
Valid driver's license.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
FSA/ HSA/ FSA Dependent Care
Employer Paid Basic Life & LTD
Voluntary Life
Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off
Employee Assistance Program
Parental Leave