Major Gifts Officer

General Summary

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Principal & Leadership Gifts and Campaign Director, the Major Gifts Officer is primarily responsible for developing, managing, implementing, and overseeing strategies for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of approximately 100–150 prospective leadership gift donors. The officer will create individualized solicitation plans that lead to major outright and deferred gifts of $50,000 or more, integrating unrestricted and restricted gifts, endowments, annual and capital gifts in support of UMass Boston’s fundraising priorities.

Responsibilities will most significantly include the identification, cultivation and solicitation of new prospects for the university, serving as a fundraiser for university‑wide targeted initiatives and working closely with colleagues in University Advancement, deans, faculty and senior administrators to develop and implement key fundraising strategies and activities.

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the priorities of UMass Boston and make a persuasive verbal and written case for supporting key programs and projects, effectively matching the interests of prospects to specific university needs.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward special and leadership gifts from a managed portfolio of 100–150 prospects and donors with capacity to make gifts of $50,000 or more; face‑to‑face solicitations are required.
• Articulate the mission of UMass Boston, its programs and activities in a succinct and compelling manner and advance individual relationships that result in philanthropic contributions to the university.
• Visit 10–12+ donors/prospects monthly through significant phone, text, and email outreach.
• Gather data, assess prospects, and develop strategies to realize the current and lifetime giving potential of individual prospects.
• Ensure consistent and appropriate contact, facilitate or make solicitations, and ensure effective stewardship.
• Develop material used by deans, directors, vice chancellors, the provost, and the chancellor for meetings, visits, or individual contacts.
• Coordinate specialized appeals targeted at constituent groups associated with a particular discipline, program, or initiative.
• Collaborate with senior administrators, deans, faculty, and volunteers to develop ideas that translate UMass Boston’s fundraising priorities into gift proposals and advance major gift prospects.
• Participate in the planning and execution of special events.
• Submit timely contact reports for each visit with detailed briefing papers.
• Work with planned giving to identify prospects for bequests and other planned gifts to the university.
• Gather, record, and properly store information about prospects and donors utilizing the university’s donor and alumni tracking database and use Gravyty for identifying new prospects.
• Work with the associate vice chancellor, deans, directors, faculty, and staff throughout the university to develop funding opportunities, engage in relationship‑building activities, and provide general direction for support of university‑wide targeted initiatives.
• Plan and implement focused cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for specific gift opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s preferred, and seven‑plus years of direct and successful development experience in fundraising, which includes a minimum of five‑plus years of special/leadership gift experience, preferably in higher education, with a record of closing major gifts is required. Experience fundraising at a complex university is preferred. Strong interpersonal skills are required, both written and oral, as well as a high level of sophistication and maturity in social and professional settings.

Comprehensive campaign experience is a plus. Incumbent must be able to travel locally and nationally to meet with donors and prospective donors to raise money on behalf of the university. Ability to work various hours, including nights and/or weekends.

• Discretion and the ability to interact with high-level donors while maintaining a high level of confidentiality.
• Proven track record of successful solicitation and securing major and high-end annual gifts.
• Ability to be an effective advocate for the university.
• Ability to be proactive.
• Knowledge and proficiency with various planned giving vehicles is preferred.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment.
• Strong oral, written communication and interpersonal skills.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HR or .