Major Gifts Officer

Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Inc.; Wilmington (DE); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) seeks a passionate Major Gifts Officer to secure funds for its education programs by identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts from donors nationwide. The MGO will manage a caseload of 125–150 prospects, conduct regular donor meetings (in person or virtual), and use a moves-management approach and Salesforce to track activity and reporting.

This full-time role offers a competitive salary and benefits, with remote work considered for exceptional

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 2–3 years fundraising experience.
• Ability to cultivate relationships and solicit major gifts.
• Wamiliar with moves-management and donor stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of 125–150 major gift prospects and donors.
• Cultivate and solicit assigned donors as frontline representative.
• Meet with donors in person or virtually, aiming for 100–125 meetings yearly.
• Create and implement individualized moves-management plans.
• Maintain donor database and track activity in Salesforce.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Programs to develop donor offers and reports.
• Assist with donor events and outreach as needed.
• Represent ISI and deepen donor relationships across stakeholders.
• Participate in weekly development team and Director of Development meetings.

Skills

Donor cultivation

Solicitation

Relationship building

Moves management

Salesforce

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

ISI seeks a major gifts officer to secure funds for its educational programs by identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts.

Overview

The Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) seeks a passionate, mission-driven Major Gifts Officer to join its development team and deepen relationships with donors who share its commitment to educating for liberty. The MGO will manage a caseload of major gift prospects and donors, with an emphasis on securing $10,000+ leadership gifts, pledges, and estate commitments.

This position is full-time and reports to ISI’s Director of Development. Remote work is considered for exceptionally strong candidates. Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with experience.

About the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI)

Founded in 1953, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) is a nonprofit organization thateducates forliberty, equipping future leaders to embrace and defend the principles that make America free and prosperous.

Too many college students feel isolated or attacked for questioning the ever-narrowing range ofdebateon campus. ISI introduces them to the American tradition of liberty and to a vibrant community of students and scholars. Our students get an education and a community theydon’tfind at their universities—and in the process they become articulate voices for conservative principles.

ISI is at an exciting moment in its history, with growing demand for its programs and an energized donor community. The Major Gifts Officer will be an instrumental partner in ensuring ISI can meet that demand and expand its reach.

About the Position

ISI is seeking a disciplined, driven, and relationship-oriented Major Gifts Officer to cultivate and deepen connections with donors who share ISI’s commitment to a free and virtuous society. The candidate must embody a sincere belief in ISI’s mission and be able to communicate that vision compellingly to prospects and donors, inspiring them to invest in the next generation of liberty-minded leaders.

The Major Gifts Officer will be expected to conduct regular in-person (or virtual) meetings with donors and prospectsand to make solicitations, employing an effective moves-management strategy and following effective stewardship and donor recognition procedures.

The position offers the opportunity to form meaningful relationships with hundreds of donors, scholars, and enthusiastic students around the country while joining a dynamic fundraising team to advance ISI’s critical mission to educate for liberty.

ISI is seeking the right person for this role—someone who thrives on forming personal relationships, is achievement-oriented, and finds deep satisfaction in connecting donors to a mission that matters. ISI supports the ongoing development of its staff and offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, plus a full benefits package.

Primary Responsibilities

• Managing a caseload of 125–150 major gift prospects and donors
• Cultivating and soliciting assigned donors, serving as a frontline representative of ISI’s mission and values
• Meeting with donors in person and attending events and conferences (targeting 100–125 meetings per year)
• Creating and implementing individualized moves-management plans that align with each donor’s interests and philanthropic goals
• Maintaining the donor database and using moves-management systems to ensure timely and appropriate stewardship, and tracking all activity in Salesforce
• Collaborating with ISI’s Marketing and Programs teams to develop compelling donor offers and meaningful impact reports
• Collaborating with ISI’s Grant Writer to develop compelling grant proposals and reports
• Assisting with the coordination of donor events and outreach, as needed
• Representing ISI and deepening understanding of and credibility for the mission among donors and key stakeholders
• Join weekly development team meetings and regular check-in meetings with the Director of Development

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and an interest in nonprofit development with 2–3 years fundraising experience
• Driven and disciplined, with a deep appreciation for and desire to further the mission of ISI