Major Gift Officer

Lewis & Clark Law School is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and results-driven Major Gift Officer (MGO) to join its Development & Alumni Office. This is a new position that emerged from Lewis & Clark Law School’s strategic plan and it will play a key role in advancing the Law School’s academic mission through strategic major gift fundraising and meaningful donor engagement.

The Major Gift Officer (MGO) will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni, parents, board members, and friends with the capacity and inclination to make significant philanthropic investments in the Law School. The MGO will manage a portfolio of prospective and current donors, building strategic, long-term relationships and aligning donors’ interests and philanthropic goals with the Law School’s highest priorities.

The MGO will develop and execute individualized strategies to cultivate and secure gifts of $10,000 and above, with a focus on building a strong pipeline of future major-gift donors. The MGO will maximize donor engagement and philanthropic impact through outright, blended, and planned gifts, while providing thoughtful and consistent stewardship that strengthens long-term relationships with the Law School.

The ideal candidate will bring strong relationship-building skills, demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, sound strategic judgment, and the ability to collaborate effectively across an academic institution. The MGO will be a thoughtful and proactive partner committed to securing transformational philanthropic support for the future of Lewis & Clark Law School.

• Manage a portfolio of 120–150 high-capacity prospects, developing tailored engagement strategies to cultivate relationships and secure major gifts of $10,000+.
• Identify, qualify, and cultivate new individual major gift prospects while renewing and upgrading annual donors.
• Conduct regular face-to-face meetings with donors and prospects, as well as assigned regional prospects within the portfolio.
• Travel by car or air as needed to build and strengthen donor relationships across the assigned portfolio.
• Strategically leverage travel and alumni events to maximize donor visits, strengthen alumni relationships, cultivate prospects, and advance major gift opportunities.
• Work both independently and in concert with the Law School Development & Alumni team, Dean, faculty, faculty emeriti and volunteers.
• Develop and advance planned giving prospects through strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Build trusted relationships with alumni, parents, and friends by understanding their philanthropic interests and connecting them with meaningful opportunities aligned with Law School priorities.
• Maintain comprehensive and timely prospect and donor records in Slate (CRM), ensuring accurate documentation of interactions, strategies, and next steps.
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of Law School priorities and effectively articulate the case for support and potential impact.

• Include Board of Visitors and Board of Alumni members within the fundraising portfolio; design and execute personalized engagement, gift solicitation, and stewardship plans for each member.
• Serve as the primary Development contact for Board of Visitors and Board and Alumni members throughout the year; serve as a liaison to other Law School advisory boards, councils, or committees as assigned.
• Partner with board members and alumni leaders to identify, introduce, and cultivate new major gift prospects within their professional and personal networks.

• Prepare regular status reports on fundraising progress, active proposals, and board…