Major Gifts Officer

Join to apply for the Major Gifts Officer role at The Morton Arboretum

$85,000.00/yr - $/yr

The Morton Arboretum is a world‑renowned nonprofit dedicated to protecting and growing trees locally and globally. We are seeking an experienced associate to join our team to increase philanthropic support through major giving. The ideal candidate will help secure support from individual donors to improve the future for trees, advance leading scientific and conservation research, support educational programming for adults and children, and preserve our plant collections across 1,700 acres.

You’ll be part of an incredible and collaborative Development team.

Location:

Hybrid (The Morton Arboretum, Lisle IL)

Position Summary:

Manage an externally focused portfolio of approximately 100 individual major giving and planned giving donors and prospects with a capacity of $100,000+ to secure restricted and unrestricted major gifts and generate new planned gift expectancies. Serve as an advocate for a culture of philanthropy that supports the best interests of the organization as well as the donors. Funding for this position is temporary and is expected to run through the end of 2030, with the possibility of extension.

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 major giving and planned giving prospects with gift potential in the $25,000+ range including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Work with the Senior Director of Principal and Major Gifts to set major giving and planned giving fundraising goals for individual donors in personal portfolio, and develop and implement strategy in support of overall giving goals for the Arboretum fundraising program.
• Develop creative, personal moves management strategies in collaboration with the full development team to maximize overall philanthropic support of the Arboretum and institutional success in meeting fundraising goals.
• Actively engage the President, Vice President of Development, Senior Director of Principal and Major Gifts, trustees, senior leadership, colleagues, and other high level donors/volunteers in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and prospects.
• In partnership with development colleagues, support a comprehensive giving program that best matches donor capacity and interest with appropriate giving channels and engagement opportunities through major giving and planned giving.
• Working across the organization, identify fundable programs and initiatives to create giving opportunities for individual prospects.
• Work in close collaboration with prospect research staff and other development colleagues to identify, qualify, and cultivate high potential prospects in support of the organization’s strategic priorities and campaign goals.
• Manage and ensure integrity of regular reporting on goal achievement to demonstrate progress, identify areas of concern, and revise strategies as needed.
• Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 4+ years of proven achievement in non‑profit fundraising program.
• Direct experience in strategy development and success in the cultivation and solicitation of major gifts required.
• Understanding of planned giving vehicles preferred.
• Proven ability to successfully motivate, engage and interact with senior leadership, trustees, high level donors and volunteers required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Prior experience and proven effectiveness in moves management processes required.
• Must be proficient with Microsoft Office and experience with Google applications is beneficial.
• Preferred experience using constituent relationship management software or similar database program.

• Ability to discern and respond to donor interests to meet both donor and institutional goals.
• Ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with Arboretum senior staff, trustees, colleagues and volunteers.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Comfortable working with individuals from all stations of life.
• A commitment to, and ability to effectively convey, the Arboretum’s…