Major gifts officer Jobs in Portland, OR

Working at Lewis & Clark College

The campus is located on 137 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds in Portland’s southwest hills. Our strong commitment to sustainability is reinforced through recycling programs, energy conservation, alternative transportation options, and farm to fork initiatives. For benefit-eligible positions, we offer a competitive benefits package that includes options for health, dental, vision, tuition, life insurance, retirement and more.

Lewis & Clark College is committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status, such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or age.

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Principal Gifts Officer within the Office of Advancement reports directly to the Vice President for Advancement. This role is primarily responsible for nurturing top donor prospects, securing the institution's largest gifts (typically in the $1M-$10M range) and leading collaborative fundraising efforts across Lewis & Clark’s three schools. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in cultivating and soliciting significant philanthropic investments, strong relationship-building skills, and a strategic, donor-centered approach to advancement. To be successful in this position, the individual must excel at managing complex donor relationships, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, and aligning donor interests with institutional priorities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Principal Gift Strategy and Fundraising Execution

Lead strategy and execution for securing philanthropic investments of $1M and above in alignment with institutional priorities.

Manage a portfolio of 50–60 principal gift-level donors and prospects, including influential volunteers and community partners.

Evaluate and recommend tailored giving opportunities, including complex gift structures, to maximize donor impact.

Coordinate cultivation and solicitation efforts, serving as the primary relationship manager for top-tier donors.

Donor and Prospect Engagement

Develop individualized engagement strategies for high-capacity prospects in collaboration with academic and administrative leaders.

Facilitate meaningful connections between donors and campus representatives to deepen engagement and inspire investment.

Prepare proposals, donor agreements, and stewardship materials in collaboration with the Donor Relations and Stewardship team.

Promote positive, long-term relationships through ongoing communication and personalized stewardship experiences.

Cross-Campus Collaboration

Partner with leadership from the College of Arts and Sciences, Law School, and Graduate School to identify fundraising priorities and shared prospects.

Serve as a strategic advisor on campaign initiatives, ensuring alignment across institutional stakeholders.

Facilitate collaboration between academic deans, faculty, and Advancement staff to implement integrated engagement strategies.

Participate in institutional planning related to fundraising goals, donor messaging, and high-level volunteer involvement.

Leadership Volunteer Management

Support and guide senior-level volunteers in their efforts to engage and solicit principal gift prospects.

Leverage networks of alumni, trustees, and volunteers to open doors to new philanthropic opportunities.

Provide leadership in planning and executing volunteer-led donor engagement initiatives tied to campaign goals.

Data Management and Reporting

Track donor engagement and solicitation progress using Slate, the advancement database.

Document prospect interactions, prepare briefing materials, and ensure data accuracy in accordance with prospect management protocols.

Monitor progress toward individual and campaign fundraising goals, providing regular reports to the Vice President.

Align travel and outreach plans with data-informed strategies to optimize engagement and giving outcomes.

Other Duties as Assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & BEHAVIORS

Proficient in developing and executing complex philanthropic strategies for high-level donors and prospects

Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills with influential individuals and stakeholders

Superior communication skills, both written and verbal, tailored to executive-level audiences

Extremely organized with strong project management and coordination skills across multiple departments

Proficient in using Slate or similar advancement or customer relationship management (CRM) systems

Experienced in drafting compelling proposals, briefings, and personalized donor materials

Highly skilled at exercising discretion and maintaining confidentiality in donor and institutional matters

Strong analytical and evaluative thinking for aligning donor interests with institutional priorities

Proficient in interpreting and presenting data to inform strategic decisions and fundraising outcomes

Demonstrates professional integrity, persistence, and resilience in long-cycle donor engagement

Committed to promoting a welcoming and respectful environment for colleagues, donors, and partners from all backgrounds

Confident in working independently while also fostering collaboration across teams

Responsive, proactive, and consistent in follow-through and stakeholder communication

Open to feedback, growth-oriented, and aligned with organizational mission and goals

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Ten years of experience in face-to-face fundraising, business, corporate development, foundations, or grants; or a combination of relevant education and experience totaling at least fourteen years

Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major individual and institutional donors for gifts of $1M or more

PREFERRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

Master’s degree in a related field

Experience with campaign planning and implementation

Experience with complex philanthropic gift structures and strategies

Corporate foundation, corporate relations, or nonprofit development experience

Demonstrated success in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major individual and institutional donors for gifts of $5M or more

Experience working in higher education settings

Preferred Tech : Slate, PGCalc

WORK SCHEDULE

Full Time / Part Time : Full Time

Schedule : 37.5 hours per week; occasional evening and weekend event attendance required

Benefit Eligible : Yes

Travel : Frequent travel required for donor engagement and events

Hybrid / Remote : Hybrid schedule available in alignment with department guidelines and travel responsibilities

PAY RATE

FLSA Status : Exempt

$125k annually

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

General office environment

Frequent travel required, including air and ground transportation

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Communicates effectively via phone, email, online meetings, and in person

Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally

Occasional physical activity may include standing for long periods, walking across campus or event venues, and transporting materials for donor meetings or presentations