Major Gift Officer (CA) - Scripps College

Another Source • Claremont, CA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Scripps College, a premier women's liberal arts college, is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to lead fundraising efforts in the Southwest region. This hybrid role involves managing a portfolio of major gift prospects, cultivating transformational philanthropy, and partnering with senior leaders to advance scholarships, academic excellence, and the College's future. The position offers the opportunity to travel, build meaningful connections with donors, and make a lasting impact. Scripps College provides a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and an outstanding Tuition Benefit Program for eligible employees and their families, covering undergraduate and some master's degrees, as well as tuition assistance for eligible dependent children.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three or more years of nonprofit fundraising, higher education advancement, or related development experience.
• Demonstrated success cultivating and managing donor relationships.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal development and donor presentations.
• Ability to develop and execute long-term fundraising strategies.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with senior leaders, volunteers, and high-capacity donors.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and portfolio management skills.
• Passion for women's education and the liberal arts.
• Ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned territory.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and donor CRM systems; experience with Raiser's Edge, GiveCampus, or similar platforms is preferred.
• Valid U.S. driver's license.

Nice To Haves

• Five or more years of progressively responsible fundraising experience in higher education or nonprofit development.
• Demonstrated success securing gifts of $50,000 or more.
• Experience supporting comprehensive campaigns or leadership annual giving initiatives.
• Knowledge of fundraising best practices within higher education.
• Experience leveraging social media as part of donor engagement strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute multi-year cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and engagement strategies for a portfolio of 125–150 major gift prospects.
• Achieve annual fundraising goals for new commitments and cash.
• Conduct at least 120 meaningful donor visits annually while maintaining a healthy major gift pipeline.
• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects and advance them through the donor lifecycle.
• Develop compelling gift proposals, agreements, and stewardship plans aligned with institutional priorities.
• Partner with planned giving and leadership giving colleagues on complex and transformational gift opportunities.
• Represent Scripps College throughout the Southwest, strengthening relationships with alumni, parents, and friends.
• Prepare donor briefings and materials for the President, Vice President, and senior leadership.
• Represent Scripps College at regional events and donor gatherings.
• Collaborate with donor relations, annual giving, and alumnae engagement teams to deliver an exceptional donor experience.
• Build productive relationships with faculty, administrators, and campus partners to support donor interests and College priorities.
• Develop strategic travel plans throughout the Southwest region to maximize donor engagement.
• Travel approximately 5 – 15 days per month to meet with prospects and attend College events.
• Strengthen Scripps College's philanthropic presence through thoughtful regional engagement strategies.
• Maintain accurate donor strategies, contact reports, and proposals within the CRM.
• Monitor portfolio performance and adjust strategies to meet fundraising goals.
• Contribute to campaign planning, fundraising forecasts, and pipeline analysis.
• Support a collaborative, data-informed advancement culture focused on continuous improvement.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Tuition Benefit Program for eligible employees and their dependent children (after one year of employment)
• Tuition assistance for undergraduate degrees
• Tuition assistance for job-related master's degrees (in some cases)
• Tuition assistance for eligible dependent children covering up to 50% of undergraduate tuition and required fees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level