Major Gifts Officer chez The Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned nonprofit dedicated to protecting and growing trees locally and globally. We are seeking an experienced associate to join our team to increase philanthropic support through major giving. The ideal candidate will help secure support from individual donors to improve the future for trees, advance leading scientific and conservation research, support educational programming for adults and children, and preserve our plant collections across 1,700 acres. You’ll be part of an incredible and collaborative Development team.   

Location : Hybrid (The Morton Arboretum, Lisle IL)

Position Summary:  Manage an externally focused portfolio of approximately 100 individual major giving and planned giving donors and prospects with a capacity of $100,000+ to secure restricted and unrestricted major gifts and generate new planned gift expectancies. Serve as an advocate for a culture of philanthropy that supports the best interests of the organization as well as the donors. Funding for this position is temporary and is expected to run through the end of 2030, with the possibility of extension.

Essential Functions: 

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 major giving and planned giving prospects with gift potential in the $25,000+ range including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.  

• Work with the Senior Director of Principal and Major Gifts to set major giving and planned giving fundraising goals for individual donors in personal portfolio, and develop and implement strategy in support of overall giving goals for the Arboretum fundraising program.

• Develop creative, personal moves management strategies in collaboration with the full development team to maximize overall philanthropic support of the Arboretum and institutional success in meeting fundraising goals. 

• Actively engage the President, Vice President of Development, Senior Director of Principal and Major Gifts, trustees, senior leadership, colleagues, and other high level donors/volunteers in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors and prospects.

• In partnership with development colleagues, support a comprehensive giving program that best matches donor capacity and interest with appropriate giving channels and engagement opportunities through major giving and planned giving.  

• Working across the organization, identify fundable programs and initiatives to create giving opportunities for individual prospects. 

• Work in close collaboration with prospect research staff and other development colleagues to identify, qualify, and cultivate high potential prospects in support of the organization’s strategic priorities and campaign goals.  

• Manage and ensure integrity of regular reporting on goal achievement to demonstrate progress, identify areas of concern, and revise strategies as needed. 

• Demonstrate alignment with the Arboretum’s employee core values.

• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required. 4+ years of proven achievement in non-profit fundraising program. Direct experience in strategy development and success in the cultivation and solicitation of major gifts required and understanding of planned giving vehicles preferred.  Proven ability to successfully motivate, engage and interact with senior leadership, trustees, high level donors and volunteers required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills required. Prior experience and proven effectiveness in moves management processes required. Must be proficient with Microsoft Office and experience with Google applications is beneficial. Preferred experience using constituent relationship management software or similar database program.  

Success Factors: Ability to discern and respond to donor interests to meet both donor and institutional goals.  Ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively with Arboretum senior staff, trustees, colleagues and volunteers.  Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.  Comfortable working with individuals from all stations of life.  A commitment to, and ability to effectively convey, the Arboretum’s mission with genuine passion, and the willingness to continually learn about the programs and mission.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Physical Demands: Requires some physical activity: limited lifting and carrying (up to 10 lbs.), and occasional travel around the Arboretum campus and locally.

• Work Environment: Office environment (Hybrid eligible).  Work is primarily indoors.  

• Equipment: General office equipment and Arboretum golf cart

• Schedule: Position requires occasional extended work hours, including evenings and weekends.

The expected hiring range for this exempt position is annualized at $85,000 - $100,000 based on experience that will be evaluated during the candidate selection process. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of the final offer. This position is also eligible for a competitive benefits package.

For full consideration, please include resume and cover letter with application.

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status.  

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.