Do you have experience cultivating high-level donor relationships and securing transformational gifts in support of mission-driven work?

Careers In Nonprofits is leading the search for the next Major Gifts Officer for a local Art Institute.

This is a Full-Time, Hybrid opportunity based in Baltimore, MD.

ORGANIZATION: Art Institute

POSITION TITLE: Major Gifts Officer

LOCATION: Baltimore, MD – Hybrid

SALARY RANGE: $76,100 – $98,900 (commensurate with experience)

Is This Your Dream Job?

The Major Gifts Officer plays a pivotal frontline fundraising role within M the Advancement team. This position manages and grows a dynamic portfolio of 100–150 major gift prospects, cultivating meaningful relationships and securing gifts of $20,000 and above in support of one of the nation’s leading colleges of art and design. This is a highly strategic, relationship-driven role focused on identifying new prospects, deepening donor engagement, and increasing comprehensive giving — including annual, capital, and planned gifts. The Major Gifts Officer partners closely with institutional leadership, academic divisions, alumni, and volunteers to advance MICA’s mission and long-term philanthropic goals.

Our Ideal Candidate:

• 5+ years of demonstrated success in major gift fundraising (or transferable experience in sales/relationship management with measurable results)
• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $20,000+
• Experience managing a portfolio of 100+ prospects
• Strong strategic planning skills with the ability to create and execute written action plans for top prospects
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proposal development
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments
• High level of discipline around moves management and prospect tracking
• Comfort with travel, evening/weekend events, and face-to-face donor visits
• Bachelor’s degree required

Highly Preferred:

• Experience in higher education or arts/cultural organizations
• Familiarity with planned giving conversations and negotiation of complex gifts

How You Will Spend Your Day:

Portfolio & Relationship Management

• Build and manage a portfolio of 100–150 major gift prospects
• Identify, research, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors capable of giving $20,000+
• Conduct frequent face-to-face visits to deepen relationships and uncover philanthropic interests
• Implement disciplined prospect management and tracking systems

Strategy & Solicitation

• Develop written strategic action plans for top prospects
• Craft compelling, proposal-based solicitations aligned with institutional priorities
• Negotiate outright and planned gifts
• Promote inclusion of the Institute in donors’ estate plans

Collaboration & Institutional Partnership

• Partner with the Vice President for Advancement and the Advancement team on major gift strategy
• Collaborate with academic divisions to identify new cultivation opportunities
• Support alumni engagement efforts and regional solicitation networks
• Participate in high-level annual giving initiatives and Advancement events

We’d Love to Hear From You!

If this sounds like the right next step in your fundraising career — or if you know someone who would be a great fit — we would love to connect.

Please apply using the link below.

For questions related to this opportunity, please contact Careers In Nonprofits directly.

Careers In Nonprofits is an equal opportunity employer. Empowered by the #ILoveMyJob mission, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating inclusive workplaces across the nonprofit sector.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regretfully can only respond to candidates whose experience most closely aligns with our client’s needs. Please know that we retain all candidate information for potential future opportunities.