Stewardship Officer for Principal & Transformational Gifts

Are you a high-performer who wants to contribute to a mission-driven and values-based organization? If you are motivated by doing impactful work and making a difference in people’s lives, then the Indiana University Foundation (IUF) is the place for you. At the IUF, we believe in making the dream of higher education attainable, providing support for life-changing research, and preparing the next generation of leaders.  

As a trailblazer among our peers, we provide fundraising leadership and endowment stewardship to support needs and initiatives across all of Indiana University’s campuses. As part of our team, you will help make IU donors' dreams last forever.  

At the IUF we work hard, celebrate achievements, and foster an environment where everyone’s contributions matter. We are nimble and innovative, and we want you to bring your ideas and energy to join forces with some of the best talent in our industry. 

In addition to being part of a meaningful mission as an IUF employee, you’ll find there are many ways to connect and collaborate.  Our FUNdation (see what we did there?) Committee helps us connect and unwind with food truck lunches, holiday gatherings, costume contests, free snacks, IU spirit-wear Fridays, and spontaneous gestures that surprise and delight. Our Wellness Committee ensures that the health and well-being of our employees is top of mind through outstanding benefits, mental health offerings, and activities. We encourage community leadership and service and make space for our staff to pursue their passions. Our total rewards philosophy ensures that we support employees financially, emotionally, and in their career growth.  

If the IUF sounds like a fit for you, we invite you to join us today. 

The Indiana University Foundation (IUF) is seeking a strategic, creative, and forward-thinking self-starter to serve as Stewardship Officer for our Principal & Transformational Giving team. This role is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives on building meaningful connections with donors and partners while developing innovative ways to express gratitude, share impact, and enhance the philanthropic journey of IU’s most generous supporters. 

In this role, you will be a strategic partner across the organization, collaborating with fundraisers, advancement partners, campus leadership, and university partners to ensure seamless and exceptional donor experiences. You’ll manage stewardship activities in a variety of ways, from unique “surprise and delight” moments to impact reporting to. You’ll contribute to the long-term vision of donor engagement at the highest levels. Creativity, collaboration, and strong project management skills are essential, as you’ll be responsible for anticipating needs, delivering polished, meaningful stewardship experiences, and aligning senior stakeholders. 

If you are proactive, organized, and always thinking several steps ahead, this role offers the chance to make a lasting impact—strengthening donor relationships, driving the success of transformational giving, and helping shape the future of philanthropy at Indiana University. Apply today! We can’t wait to hear from you.  

Knowledge and Skills:

• Consistent, strong initiative to drive the stewardship strategy as a part of the Principal and Transformational Giving team. 

• Ability to manage a portfolio of donors and support projects with competing priorities and varying requirements. 

• Confidence in presenting expert recommendations that align with industry best practices for stewardship. 

• Experience crafting donor experiences and meeting expectations of individuals of high net worth. 

• Ability to work collegially in a complex organizational setting to identify and support mutual goals. 

• Comfort facilitating meetings, presenting to senior stakeholders. 

• Expert ability to communicate verbally and in writing in a clear, concise, and error-free manner. 

• Confidence and timely response to donor inquiries, including by phone, email, and in person.  

• Ability to manage sensitive information discreetly and maintain confidentiality. 

• Solid ability to organize and manage multiple projects/tasks simultaneously. 

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively and adapt to changing priorities. 

• Expert ability to research, fact-check, and proofread. 

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 3 years’ professional experience in fundraising, public relations, or senior customer service position, preferably in higher education or other large, complex institutions.
• Project management experience preferred.

A cover letter expressing your interest is highly recommended for consideration. The annual compensation range for this role is $57,000- $62,000, commensurate with experience and education.

The IUF is committed to providing a safe, respectful and professional work environment that is free of Discrimination and Harassment. The IUF will not tolerate any form of Discrimination or Harassment based on the Individual’s race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, marital status, protected veteran status, pregnancy, or any other basis prohibited by law.