Major Gifts Officer
About The Position
Cornell University is seeking a Major Gift Officer (MGO) to join the Alumni Affairs and Development division in Ithaca, NY. This role is part of a new "pod" staff structure, supporting the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, The ILR School, and the Library. The MGO will build and manage relationships with alumni, parents, and friends to secure major gifts for the priorities of these three units. The position involves managing a portfolio of 100-120 prospects with significant giving potential ($250,000+) and aims to generate $1M-$3M+ in gifts annually. Success requires strong relationship management, communication, persuasion, data analysis, and engagement planning skills. The ideal candidate is a collaborative influencer, resilient, and results-oriented, with the ability to work effectively with faculty, volunteers, and colleagues. Significant travel and occasional evening/weekend work are expected.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree and 5–7 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination.
- Proven ability to build strategic relationships and influence outcomes.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills; ability to craft compelling proposals and presentations.
- Strong analytical and planning skills to develop data-driven engagement strategies.
- Demonstrated collaboration and teamwork across diverse stakeholders.
- Results-oriented, proactive, and resilient in achieving ambitious fundraising goals.
- Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license, travel both domestically and internationally (up to 40% of time), and work evenings/weekends as needed.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Nice To Haves
- Experience closing major gifts in a complex organization.
- Background in higher education fundraising.
Responsibilities
- Build and sustain purposeful relationships with prospects through strategic qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Build, develop, and manage a portfolio of 100–120 prospects with giving capacity of $250,000–$1,000,000+.
- Complete 50+ discovery qualifications annually to identify new major gift prospects.
- Develop and implement annual strategic engagement plans informed by data analysis and donor interests.
- Regularly solicit and close gifts, including annual fund gifts and multi-year commitments, raising a sustainable $1M–$3M+ annually through gifts of diverse sizes.
- Conduct a minimum of 120 personal visits or significant contacts per year, including discovery meetings.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation of prospect strategies, contact reports, and gift commitments in compliance with University Fundraising Policy 3.1.
- Partner with faculty, staff, and volunteers to align donor interests with institutional priorities.
- Actively collaborate with key stakeholders to develop customized cultivation and stewardship activities, including volunteer leadership roles.
- Represent the university at events such as reunions, homecoming, and campaign activities.
- Serve as a liaison to a college or unit, providing a conduit for information sharing and relationship building.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care options
- Generous retirement contributions
- Access to wellness programs
- Employee discounts with local and national retail brands
- Three weeks of vacation
- 13 holidays (including an end-of-year winter break, December 25–January 1)
- Two additional floating holidays for observing faiths and traditions
- Tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program
- Tuition aid for external education
- Cornell Children’s Tuition Assistance Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
