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Development Officer

Knox College

Galesburg, IL 61401 • $74,000 to $79,000 / yr • 9/2/2026

Information Technology

Job Description

Job Description

Purpose

The Development Officer is responsible for developing and sustaining donor relationships on behalf of Knox by communicating the College's needs and priorities to individual alumni, parents and friends.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, the Development Officer promotes dynamic growth in philanthropic giving to Knox. The Officer develops and implements strategies to secure philanthropic gifts over $25,000, build sustainable leadership gifts, and cultivate a culture of philanthropy. Through personalized relationship management, with a portfolio of 125+, the Officer grows the revenue potential annuallyworking in close collaboration with the Advancement team, College leadership, and other stakeholders. The Officer will play a vital role in all comprehensive fundraising campaigns.

This is an ideal role for an experienced fundraiser, salesperson, or relationship manager ready to take ownership of a major gift portfolio at a small, mission-driven liberal arts college.

About Knox College Advancement

Knox College's Advancement division supports the College's mission through major and principal gifts, annual giving, alumni and parent engagement, advancement operations, and grants. The team is currently focused on the Venture Boldly Campaign, strengthening connections with constituents, securing significant unrestricted support through the Knox Fund, and building a disciplined, high-performing major gifts program.

Key Responsibilities

The Development Officer will will have the following responsibilities:

  • Qualify and cultivate donor prospects, solicit and close capital, planned, and annual gifts of $25,000 and up.
  • Complete a combination of 250 cultivation/solicitation steps per year (including 125 in-person visits) with donors and donor prospects.
  • Manage a portfolio of 120-140 major gift prospects by maintaining regular contact with assigned donors, donor prospects, and leadership volunteers. (Requires occasional weekend and evening work, including Knox's Homecoming each fall and traveling up to 50% annually).
  • 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.
  • Develop, over time, thorough knowledge of planned giving vehicles such as life income gifts and estate provisions.
  • Provide high-level support to College leadership, including preparing for and facilitating donor connections and solicitations in service of the College's mission and fundraising priorities.
  • 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.

Required:

  • Baccalaureate degree and 3+ years of full-time professional experience.
  • Genuine intellectual curiosity and an appreciation for mission-driven work; prior experience in higher education or with a liberal arts institution is a plus.
  • Demonstrate the ability to directly solicit significant financial-related gifts and be persistent in following up with donor prospects.
  • Ability to make independent decisions, manage relationships, coordination of fundraising projects, work productively with colleagues and independent-minded volunteers, and inspire confidence among associates.
  • Possess excellent interpersonal, 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.

Preferred:

  • Experience in fundraising, capital campaigns, non-profit settings, relationship management, or higher education.

Note: This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Summary Pay Range: Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance, and experience. Please note that pay is only one component of total compensation.

Benefits:

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

In keeping with its commitment to equal rights since it was founded in 1837, Knox College particularly welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. Knox College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious affiliation, sexual orientation or preference, age, marital or family status, disability, veteran status, or other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law in admission, financial aid, employment, athletics, or any other aspect of its educational programs or activities. In addition, Knox College is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its accompanying regulations from discriminating on the basis of sex.

The College official responsible for coordinating compliance with this Notice of Non-Discrimination is the Director of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance. Any inquiries regarding policies that prohibit discrimination and harassment, including Title IX sexual harassment, as well as the policy prohibiting hazing, should be directed to the Director of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance identified below. Staff in the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance are available to meet with or talk to students, staff, and faculty regarding issues relating to this Notice of Non-Discrimination and the College’s policies and procedures.

Director of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance
Old Jail 12 | Campus Box K-209
337 South Cherry Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone:
Email:

Inquiries about the application of Title IX to Knox may be referred to the Director of Civil Rights & Title IX Compliance, the United States Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, or both. Individuals may also contact the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights for additional information.

Office for Civil Rights

U.S. Department of Education-Chicago Office
500 W Madison St., Suite 1475
Chicago, IL 60661-4544
Phone:
Email:

Inquiries regarding the College’s policies regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”), or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”) should be directed to the ADA/504 Coordinator identified below:

Knox College ADA/504 Coordinator
Jennie Hemingway, PhD
Old Jail 12 | Campus Box K-209
337 South Cherry Street
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone:
Email:

Employees requesting accommodations may contact:

Human Resources
52 W South St., Alumni Hall, Suite 100 | Campus Box K-200
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: or
Email:

Students requesting accommodations may contact:

Director of Disability Support Services

Patricia Harden
Umbeck Science and Math Center E111 | Campus Box K183
340 South West Street
Phone:
Email:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in certain aspects of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a human.