Principal Gift Officer, Ascension Foundation

The Principal Gift Officer (PGO) is a senior, highly experienced fundraising professional responsible for securing transformative philanthropic investments from high net worth individuals and families in support of Ascension Foundation’s mission. The PGO builds and manages a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, delivering personalized strategies for cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.

• Report to the Senior Director, Philanthropy Strategy and proactively engage the Vice President, Strategic Philanthropy and President, Ascension Foundation, to build a new portfolio of donors capable of multi-million-dollar contributions.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward a new portfolio of high-capacity donors using customized, multi-year engagement strategies.
• Build trusted, long-term relationships with high net worth donors and their families, serving as a key advisor and thought partner in their philanthropic journeys.
• Provide exceptional, high-touch service by preparing donors for key conversations, addressing inquiries with discretion, and ensuring a seamless engagement experience.
• Demonstrate fluency in complex giving vehicles (e.g., donor-advised funds, appreciated stocks and assets, charitable trusts, wills, and annuities) and advise donors on strategic giving opportunities, working seamlessly with teams in Development Operations, Legal and Finance to ensure proper execution of gift agreements.
• Collaborate closely with Foundation, clinical, and operational leaders to align donor interests with Ascension’s mission and strategic funding priorities.
• Partner with the Development Operations team to research and qualify prospects, assess capacity, and maintain pipeline hygiene in the CRM
• Partner with the Development Communications team to create compelling proposals, case statements, customized funding collateral, and stewardship materials that reflect the impact and value of donor investments.
• Design and coordinate curated, intimate, mission immersion events and donor experiences designed to engage, recognize, and deepen relationships with principal donors
• Partner with the Director, Development Operations to track portfolio activity, analyze donor engagement outcomes, and provide regular reports to leadership to inform strategy and forecasting.
• Serve as liaison and coordinator to the Ascension Foundation Board and Philanthropy Council, facilitating communications and supporting board and council member involvement in major giving efforts.
• Advise leadership on fundraising trends, donor insights, and philanthropy sector developments to inform strategy and resource planning.

• Education: High School diploma equivalency with 2 years of cumulative experience OR Associate’s degree/Bachelor’s degree with 1 year of experience OR 5 years of applicable cumulative job specific experience required.
• 2 years of leadership or management experience preferred.
• Additional Preferences: High school diploma/GED with 7-10 years of applicable major and principal gift experience and a proven track record of securing 7-figure gifts, years of experience, or Associate’s degree, or Bachelor’s degree.
• Key Attributes: Strong verbal and written communication skills, effective collaborator, strong relationship building skills, influence, innovative mindset, creative, inclusive, excellent attention to detail, strong grasp of and commitment to best practices in all areas of development, self-motivated, independent thinker, ability to organize multiple tasks simultaneously with close attention to detail and deadlines, proficiency with Google applications especially Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides, and development databases, Raiser’s Edge preference, proven track record of securing 7-figure gifts regularly, preferably in health equity, health, higher education, economic empowerment or social justice nonprofits.

• Paid time off (PTO)
• Various health insurance options & wellness plans
• Retirement benefits including employer match plans
• Long-term & short-term disability
• Employee assistance programs (EAP)
• Parental leave & adoption assistance
• Tuition reimbursement

Ascension associates are key to our commitment of transforming healthcare and providing care to all, especially those most in need. Join us and help us drive impact through reimagining how we can deliver a people-centered healthcare experience and creating the solutions to do it.