Description
The University
The vision for Southern Methodist University (SMU) has always been bold. It is an enduring aspect of SMU's character, exemplified by its mission to create, expand, and impart knowledge through teaching, research, and service, shaping world changers who contribute to their communities and excel in their professions in a global society. Founded in 1911, this nationally ranked comprehensive research university with a liberal arts tradition empowers the bold, curious, and creative with limitless opportunities to effect real change and solve 21st-century problems.
As president of SMU since 1995, R. Gerald Turner is leading an era of unprecedented progress. President Turner's tenure has included two highly successful major gift campaigns: The Campaign for SMU: A Time to Lead (1997 - 2002), followed by SMU Unbridled: The Second Century Campaign (2008 - 2015). Together, these historic major gift campaigns raised more than $1.6 billion for student scholarships, endowed faculty positions, academic programs, and capital projects, including new academic, student life, and athletics facilities. SMU is about to embark on the public phase of a third comprehensive campaign.
The optimistic outlook of Dallas is at the heart of SMU, and SMU's enterprising spirit has helped shape Dallas into a global gateway for people of all backgrounds who want to change the world. The 234-acre main campus near the heart of Dallas is a vibrant environment of energy and creativity. Through its eight schools, SMU boosts intellectual capital and shapes future leaders by attracting exceptional students, faculty, and staff. The spark of innovation powers an academic enterprise that spans the arts, business, engineering, humanities, law, sciences, teaching, and theology. It also promotes data literacy across disciplines and ignites the vast potential at the intersection of data science, high-speed computing, gaming, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence to fuel research, creative scholarship, and transformative teaching. As Dallas' university, SMU offers students life-changing access to the future-forward momentum of Big D - one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - for incredible learning, research, social, and career opportunities.
Campus Profile
Today, SMU is home to a student body of more than 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students - from all 50 states and 83 countries who take advantage of small classes, hands-on research opportunities, leadership development, community service, and innovative programs. Students of color constitute more than 31 percent of the student body. Forty-nine percent of undergraduates and 48 percent of graduate students are female. More than half of undergraduates are from outside Texas. Three out of four undergraduate students receive grants and/or scholarships. Among students reporting a religious preference, 28 percent are Catholic, 14 percent are Methodist, 46 percent are from other
Protestant denominations, and 12 percent represent other faiths (including Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism).
As home to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, SMU is the only private university with a presidential library on its main campus. The Bush Center serves as a resource for the study of the life and career of the 43rd president of the United States and promotes an understanding of the Presidency, American history, and important issues of public policy.
Well into its second century of achievement, SMU upholds a steadfast commitment to its mission. The aspirations and optimism that led to the school's founding more than a century ago continue to drive the future-focused academic enterprise, shaping world changers - the problem solvers, the influencers, and the leaders who will make an impact around the globe.
Under the leadership of President R. Gerald Turner, SMU has made unparalleled progress in academic quality, infrastructure, and financial strength, and seeks to advance even more in the years to come. To that end, the school's Strategic Plan 2016 - 2025 outlines University objectives to be achieved by 2025 and maps six enduring goals: to enhance the academic quality and stature of the University; to improve teaching and learning; to strengthen scholarly research, creative achievement, and opportunities for innovation; to sustain student development and a supportive campus experience; to broaden global perspectives; and to increase revenue generation and promote responsible stewardship of resources.
The Opportunity
Responsibilities
Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Principal & Major Gifts, the Major Gifts Officer is a fundraising, portfolio-driven position with prospect management responsibilities including qualification, cultivation, solicitation & stewardship of prospective & current donors for major gifts exceeding $100,000. The portfolio will be broad-based to solicit gifts for any fundraising priority, but may also focus on a U.S. geographic region, constituency and/or funding initiative; therefore, frequent travel with overnight stays may be required. The Major Gifts Officer serves as primary point of contact for the portfolio, including prospect management & strategy development, personal visits, fundraising proposals, correspondence & volunteer involvement, and stewardship. Internally, this individual will work with School and Athletics fundraisers, Gift Planning, Corporate and Foundation Relations teams, Annual Giving & Alumni Relations colleagues, and other SMU central development staff to develop cultivation and proposal strategies for the major gift portfolio of 100 to 120 donors and prospective donors. Primary responsibilities include:
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