Major Gift Officer

Posting Number: 493993
Type of Position: Full-time
Location: Poughkeepsie, NY
Categories: Administration

Position Title:

Major Gift Officer

Department/School:

Advancement Services

Salary/Pay Rate:

$75,000 - $90,000

Job Summary:

The Major Gift Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts ($50k+) from prospective donors to meet fundraising goals. They build relationships with high-net-worth alumni, parents, individuals, and other key stakeholders, engaging them in Marist's mission and strategic priorities. This role collaborates with other Development team members to tailor proposals and stewardship plans, ensuring donors feel valued and connected to the impact of their contributions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• 3 - 5 years of related experience
• A strong history of closing major gifts; and consistently reaching fundraising objectives.
• Successful experience making cold calls and developing personalized strategies that move prospects through the donor process from discovery to solicitation and stewardship.
• Strong written, oral, and presentation communication skills and demonstrated experience in developing clear and concise funding proposals.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with all levels of staff, volunteers, donors, and prospective donors.
• Ability to work independently while also working as a member of the Advancement team.

Essential Functions:

• Manage a personal portfolio of 100-150 major gift donors to move them appropriately through the complete giving life cycle: qualification, engagement, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship by conducting emails, calls, and meetings with prospective donors to cultivate relationships.
• Promptly maintain database contact information and interactions for all donors in their portfolio.
• Support academic leadership via meetings with Deans, Faculty, other Academic leaders and programs in fostering philanthropic support, volunteer engagement, and campaign content development by ensuring they are well-informed about University initiatives to allow them to identify prospects who might be interested in supporting these areas.
• Support Advancement, Alumni Relations, and Special events and activities throughout the year by attending events and serving as a philanthropic advisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree

Required Application Documents:

Resume, Cover Letter, & Contact Information of 3 Professional References

Benefits:

The position includes a comprehensive benefit package*. Benefits for this position include but are not limited to the following:

• 3 weeks of paid vacation. 4 weeks of paid vacation beginning in the 6th year of employment.
• Unlimited paid sick time.
• 14+ paid holidays per year.
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance programs at a 15% employee / 85% employer contribution rate. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care (FSD).
• Life insurance.
• Generous short-term and long-term disability programs and workers compensation.
• 403(b) defined contribution plan:
  • First 6 years University contributes 7.5%, Employee contributes a mandatory 4%.
  • University contribution increases to 10.5% in year 7, and 12% after 15 years.
  • Employee contribution decreases to 1% in year 7. Remains 1% thereafter.
  • Typical eligibility requirements: 1 year of service and 1,000 hours with Marist University.
• 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity - Roth option available. Voluntary, up to IRS maximum contribution.
• Tuition Benefits:
  • Up to 16 undergraduate credits per semester. Up to 18 graduate credit per academic calendar. Eligibility extends to employee, spouse, and dependent children under age 26.
  • University pays 100% tuition only.
  • Eligible dependents may be Reimbursed up to $2,000 per semester towards tuition at another accredited institution.

*Eligibility requirements including waiting periods and/or employee probationary periods may apply at the discretion of the University.

About the Department/School:

The Advancement Office promotes a culture of philanthropy that attracts vital resources to support the goals and objectives of the University's strategic plan and core educational mission.

The Advancement team accomplishes this by nurturing life-long relationships with and among alumni, parents, trustees, friends, students, faculty, staff, and other constituencies. It also communicates regularly with them through meaningful personal contacts, targeted print and web-based publications, and high-impact special events.

Type of Position:

Full-Time

Classification:

Administrative (Exempt)

Months per Year:

12

Work Schedule:

When not traveling, Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm

Requires some evening and weekend hours, as needed. Extensive travel is also required.

Hours per Week:

37.5

Location:

Marist University Main Campus

Number of Position Openings:

1

Advertised: April 14, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:

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