Major Gifts Officer, Family Giving

Pomona College•Claremont, CA

About The Position

Pomona College seeks a Major Gifts Officer to develop and implement individualized development programs for major gift prospects, securing gifts of $100,000 or more. The officer manages a portfolio of current parents, past parents, and family donors, guiding prospects through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The role emphasizes timely, relationship-centered engagement with families and close collaboration with the Family Giving and Advancement teams in support of the College’s comprehensive campaign. Reporting to the Director of Family Giving, the officer independently and collaboratively manages major-gift relationships, prepares proposals and gift agreements, negotiates gift terms, monitors fulfillment, and supports donor stewardship. The role also contributes to the Family Leadership Council, campus-wide fundraising priorities, parent and family programming, and Advancement projects. Regular travel to key donor markets is required monthly. The position is regular, full-time, exempt, and benefits eligible, based in Claremont, California. Regular hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with holiday, weekend, and evening work possibly required. Pomona College requires employees to be California residents and does not sponsor visas or permanent resident cards.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, business administration, a liberal arts field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least five years of professional work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
A proven track record of accomplishments and taking initiative.
Ability to prepare prospect cultivation strategies and maintain prospect solicitation status and key actions in Salesforce.
Ability to retrieve Salesforce information for briefing preparation.
Ability to handle highly confidential information with patience, discretion, good judgment, courtesy, and tact.
Ability to foster personal accountability, innovation, creativity, customer service, and a donor-centric model of sustained fundraising.
Ability to advocate effectively for the value of the liberal arts with diverse constituents.
California residency is required for Pomona College employees.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position without imposing a risk of substantial harm to personal or others’ health or safety.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated fundraising experience at an academic institution.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of 120 to 140 major gift prospects, including current parents, past parents, and family donors, through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, with an emphasis on travel to key donor markets.
Prepare proposals for major gifts of $100,000 or more.
Develop long-term cultivation and engagement strategies for donors.
Build relationships with assigned prospects through in-person and virtual meetings, written communication, and electronic resources.
Assess prospects’ financial capability and willingness to support College goals and objectives.
Manage projects for specific fundraising objectives as required.
Create gift proposals and gift agreements.
Negotiate gift amounts and written terms for gift management.
Monitor and ensure fulfillment of gifts.
Maintain donor stewardship contacts and adhere to the highest ethical standards.
Prepare briefings for meetings with senior campus leadership.
Assist in creating stewardship plans and monitor their implementation.
Participate in all stages of the donor engagement cycle, from initiating contact through securing gifts in an appropriate and timely manner.
Assist the Director of Family Giving in strengthening the Family Leadership Council through strategic recruitment, engagement, stewardship, and programming.
Serve as a resource for Advancement staff, including identifying potential volunteer connections and providing knowledge of meeting and event spaces in key locations.
Secure support for campus-wide priorities established by campus leadership.
Coordinate special projects, tasks, and duties and provide assistance as assigned.
Partner with Alumni and Family Engagement staff to support parent and family programming, including regional events such as Summer Welcome Parties and other family touchpoints.
Build strong personal and professional relationships with current and past parents, faculty, staff, volunteers, and the broader Pomona College community.
Maintain in-depth knowledge of Pomona programs, key faculty, research, student life, and student initiatives.
Record prospect cultivation strategies, solicitation status, and key actions in Salesforce and retrieve Salesforce information for briefing preparation.
Handle activities and confidential information with discretion, sound judgment, courtesy, patience, and tact.