Cornell University welcomes candidates for the position of Major Gift Officer , based in California. This role offers an exciting opportunity to advance Cornell's highest fundraising priorities by building relationships with high-capacity donors and securing transformational philanthropic support.
Position Summary
The Major Gift Officer is an experienced frontline fundraising professional responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-capacity prospects and donors across Cornell University's Southwest Mountain region and Mexico. Working in partnership with academic leaders, volunteers, and Development colleagues, this position develops and executes strategic engagement plans that inspire philanthropic investment in Cornell's mission and priorities.
Success in this role requires strong relationship-building skills, strategic thinking, and a proactive approach to fundraising. The ideal candidate is an energetic and self-directed fundraiser who takes initiative, identifies opportunities, and effectively advances prospect relationships from initial engagement through solicitation and stewardship. This individual thrives in a dynamic environment, maintains momentum across a portfolio of prospects, and is motivated by achieving ambitious fundraising goals.
Key Responsibilities
Manage a portfolio of approximately 80–100 high-capacity prospect households with giving potential ranging from $250,000 to $10M+, based primarily in Colorado, Texas, and other Southwest/Mountain states.
Develop and implement sophisticated, multi-year strategies for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Regularly solicit and close seven-figure and multi-year commitments, including gifts involving complex assets and blended giving strategies.
Partner closely with deans, faculty leaders, and senior administrators across the university to align donor interests with academic vision and institutional priorities.
Facilitate high-level donor engagement with academic leadership through individualized visits, proposal development, and strategic convenings.
Serve as a trusted advisor to internal partners and donors throughout the lifecycle of complex gift conversations.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of prospect strategies and activities in compliance with University Fundraising Policy.
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
Bachelor’s degree and 7–10 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience or equivalent combination.
Proven success in closing seven-figure gifts and managing complex donor relationships.
Proven ability to take initiative, develop new opportunities, and independently drive fundraising activity and results.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills; ability to craft compelling proposals and presentations.
Advanced strategic planning and analytical skills to develop multi-tiered engagement strategies.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with senior leadership and faculty in a complex organization.
Results-oriented, proactive, and resilient in achieving ambitious goals.
Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license, travel extensively (up to 40% of time) and work evenings/weekends as needed.
Experience modeling values that support inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.
Work Location
This position is designated…