Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Major Gifts Officer in our Alumni Affairs and Development division, based in Ithaca, NY. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to contribute to the university's development efforts.
Position Summary
The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) is a front-line fundraising professional responsible for building and managing strategic relationships with alumni, parents, and friends to secure major gifts in support of university priorities. This role is integral to growing the number of qualified donors who can support Cornell. This position has a specific focus on growing the University’s major gifts pipeline, working through 500 new prospects annually to build a portfolio of 100-120 prospects with a giving potential of at least $250,000 ( along with a small percentage of prospects with capacity of $100,000-$249,999 ). The expectation is that this portfolio will grow to generate $1M+ annually after 2 years and $2-3M annually in the long term.
Key Responsibilities
Pipeline Building: Working in partnership with the prospect research team to identify alumni parents, and friends of the university and then qualify their interest and capacity to support Cornell philanthropically through outreach and visits.
Portfolio Management and Fundraising : Through the pipeline building work, establish a portfolio of 100-120 prospects with gift capacities ranging from $250K to $10M. As portfolio develops, execute an annual solicitation plan for each prospect, ensuring cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Donor Engagement : In the first two years, make at least 200 significant contacts annually to build relationships and advance fundraising strategies. Aim to generate and generate $1M - $3M+ in new gifts and commitments annually after 24 months.
Collaboration and Coordination : Work closely with Cornell's colleges, units, and leadership to ensure alignment of donor plans with institutional priorities. Prepare faculty and senior leadership for donor meetings, including briefing materials.
Proposal Development and Negotiation : Independently match donor interests with Cornell’s priorities, developing funding proposals and structuring complex gifts to secure donations.
Knowledge and Relationship Building : Maintain a deep understanding of Cornell’s priorities and engage in regular collaboration with college and unit colleagues to strengthen donor relationships and support fundraising efforts.
About Alumni Affairs and Development
At Cornell Alumni Affairs and Development, we connect alumni, parents, and friends with opportunities to make a meaningful difference at Cornell and beyond. Our success is built on the strength of relationships, a commitment to excellence, and a culture of collaboration, innovation, inclusion, and continuous learning. As one of higher education's leading fundraising and engagement organizations, we recently completed a record-setting campaign that engaged more than 221K alumni and raised $6.7 billion. Joining our team means growing your career alongside supportive, mission-driven, and high-performing colleagues while helping shape Cornell's future.
Required Qualifications
Education and Experience : Bachelor’s degree and 5-7 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Relationship-Building : Ability to cultivate and maintain strong, long-term relationships with high-net-worth donors and prospects.
Communication and Presentation : Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling proposals and engage in meaningful donor meetings.
Strategic and Creative Thinking : Ability to develop and implement fundraising strategies that align donor interests with organizational goals while addressing challenges and finding innovative solutions.
Collaboration and Teamwork : Strong experience working with senior leadership and colleagues across departments to coordinate and align fundraising…