Major Gift Officer (CA) - Scripps College

At a glance

Major Gifts Officer | Scripps College | Claremont, CA (Hybrid)  Are you a relationship-driven hunter who thrives on meeting people face-to-face and enjoys being on the road building meaningful connections? Scripps College—one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges for women—is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to lead fundraising efforts across the Southwest region. In this role, you'll manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, cultivate transformational philanthropy, and partner with senior leaders to advance scholarships, academic excellence, and the future of the College. If you're energized by traveling throughout your territory, spending time with donors, and uncovering new philanthropic opportunities, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact while doing what you do best. Beyond a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, Scripps offers an outstanding Tuition Benefit Program for eligible employees and their families. Employees can receive tuition assistance to pursue an undergraduate degree—and in some cases, a job-related master's degree. Eligible dependent children may also receive tuition assistance covering **up to 50% of undergraduate tuition and required fees**, making this an exceptional long-term benefit. If you have experience in major gifts, higher education advancement, or nonprofit fundraising and are looking for a role where you can spend your time cultivating relationships—not sitting behind a desk—we'd love to connect. **Salary:** $102,000–$112,000 + exceptional benefits through The Claremont Colleges, including generous educational assistance. Apply today or message me directly to learn more! 

Description: What you'll be doing

Another Source’s client, Scripps College, is recruiting a Major Gifts Officer to join their team in Claremont, California. This hybrid position provides the opportunity to build transformational donor relationships across the Southwest and support the continued success of one of the nation's premier women's liberal arts colleges. 

Here's a little about Scripps College: 

Founded in 1926 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps College is consistently recognized as one of the nation's top liberal arts colleges and is a member of The Claremont Colleges consortium. Known for its rigorous academics, beautiful historic campus, and commitment to educating women to think critically and lead with purpose, Scripps prepares students to make meaningful contributions across every sector. 

As the College continues to strengthen its philanthropic impact, the advancement team plays a vital role in supporting scholarships, academic excellence, and strategic institutional priorities. This is an opportunity to join a collaborative fundraising team during an exciting period of donor engagement and campaign momentum. 

Learn more about Scripps College: https://www.scrippscollege.edu/ 

About this role: 

Reporting to the Director of Development and Major Gifts, the Major Gifts Officer will manage a portfolio of approximately 125–150 major and leadership gift prospects throughout the Southwest territory. This role focuses on cultivating long-term relationships with alumnae, parents, and friends capable of making gifts ranging from $25,000 to $500,000+, while helping build the pipeline for future leadership, planned, and principal gifts. 

The ideal candidate is a strategic relationship builder who enjoys connecting donors' passions with institutional priorities while working collaboratively across advancement teams and senior leadership. 

Your Contribution Will Likely Include 

Major Gift Fundraising & Portfolio Management 

• Develop and execute multi-year cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and engagement strategies for a portfolio of 125–150 major gift prospects.  

• Achieve annual fundraising goals for new commitments and cash.  

• Conduct at least 120 meaningful donor visits annually while maintaining a healthy major gift pipeline.  

• Identify and qualify new major gift prospects and advance them through the donor lifecycle.  

• Develop compelling gift proposals, agreements, and stewardship plans aligned with institutional priorities.  

• Partner with planned giving and leadership giving colleagues on complex and transformational gift opportunities.  

Donor Engagement & Institutional Partnership 

• Represent Scripps College throughout the Southwest, strengthening relationships with alumni, parents, and friends. 

• Prepare donor briefings and materials for the President, Vice President, and senior leadership.  

• Represent Scripps College at regional events and donor gatherings.  

• Collaborate with donor relations, annual giving, and alumnae engagement teams to deliver an exceptional donor experience.  

• Build productive relationships with faculty, administrators, and campus partners to support donor interests and College priorities.  

Territory Management 

• Develop strategic travel plans throughout the Southwest region to maximize donor engagement.  

• Travel approximately 5–15 days per month to meet with prospects and attend College events. (Must meet 120 visits a year) 

• Strengthen Scripps College's philanthropic presence through thoughtful regional engagement strategies.  

Operations & Strategy 

• Maintain accurate donor strategies, contact reports, and proposals within the CRM.  

• Monitor portfolio performance and adjust strategies to meet fundraising goals.  

• Contribute to campaign planning, fundraising forecasts, and pipeline analysis.  

• Support a collaborative, data-informed advancement culture focused on continuous improvement.  

Experience You Will Bring 

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  

• Three or more years of nonprofit fundraising, higher education advancement, or related development experience.  

• Demonstrated success cultivating and managing donor relationships.  

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal development and donor presentations.  

• Ability to develop and execute long-term fundraising strategies.  

• Excellent relationship-building skills with senior leaders, volunteers, and high-capacity donors.  

• Strong organizational, analytical, and portfolio management skills.  

• Passion for women's education and the liberal arts.  

• Ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned territory.  

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and donor CRM systems; experience with Raiser's Edge, GiveCampus, or similar platforms is preferred.  

• Valid U.S. driver's license.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Five or more years of progressively responsible fundraising experience in higher education or nonprofit development.  

• Demonstrated success securing gifts of $50,000 or more.  

• Experience supporting comprehensive campaigns or leadership annual giving initiatives.  

• Knowledge of fundraising best practices within higher education.  

• Experience leveraging social media as part of donor engagement strategies.  

Compensation & Benefits 

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $102,000–$112,000. Final compensation will be based on experience, education, internal equity, and other business considerations. 

Scripps College offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports your health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Learn more about benefits available through The Claremont Colleges Services here: 

 https://services.claremont.edu/benefits-administration/benefit-plan-information/ 

Tuition Benefit Program: 

Scripps College offers a tuition benefit program to eligible employees and their dependent children after one year of employment. Full-time employees and qualifying part-time employees can receive tuition assistance to pursue an undergraduate degree, and in some cases a job-related master's degree. 

  

Dependent children may receive tuition assistance equal to up to 50% of tuition and required fees for an undergraduate degree, subject to program limits and any scholarships received. The benefit covers tuition and required fees only and does not include expenses such as books, housing, or meal plans. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Scripps College is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive educational and working environment. The College complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Employment is at-will and subject to applicable laws and College policies. 

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us. 

 

 

 

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