The Advancement Team supports NOLS’ mission and goals that inspire meaningful and enduring engagement of our alumni and friends worldwide. We build lifelong relationships that engage the time, loyalty, and intellectual and financial resources in support of NOLS’ aspirations, goals, and organizational priorities. We seek an experienced fundraiser to work with our alumni and other friends of the school on the East Coast. 

The major gift officer (MGO) cultivates, solicits, and stewards a regional portfolio of major gift ($100,000+) prospects and donors in support of the school’s mission and goals. The MGO will build and grow the school’s prospect pool, create action plans for developing relationships with these prospective donors, partner with the NOLS Fund team, and create opportunities for the President, trustees, other volunteers, and staff across the organization to engage in the fundraising program. The MGO will develop solicitation strategies in collaboration with the Advancement Director. They are experienced in designing and executing strategies to move new or annual fund level donors to a major gift level. They will be responsible for direct solicitations to meet funding needs and will listen for opportunities to secure gifts of assets or other non-cash gifts, such as planned gifts. They have demonstrated success in developing substantive donor relationships and in engaging and supporting natural partners in executing donor strategy. The MGO provides opportunities for donors to receive recognition and increase future giving. They are a passionate advocate and spokesperson for NOLS and can communicate about the various programs in detail and can confidently discuss legacy giving opportunities. The MGO understands and upholds all NOLS gift-related policies and procedures as well as industry-standard ethical practices.

Key Logistical Points:

• Remote-NYC (preferred)/East Coast metro.

• Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree preferred along with a proven fundraising track record, ideally with 3-6 years’ experience and demonstrated success securing major gifts. Consideration may be given for related experience in customer-facing sales, nonprofit programming, financial and estate planning, or marketing.

• Start date: ASAP, Two weeks from offer if possible.

• Interviews: Anticipated December 1st-15th timeframe

Please note that all dates are subject to change (but we’ll do our best not to change them!)

• Benefits: This position is eligible for Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Spending account, Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Long Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Time off, 403(b), 403(b) contribution, and more.

• Questions: Please contact peopleteam@nols.edu

What does a Major Gifts Officer do?

Major Giving (70%) 

• Effectively researches, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards a large portfolio of prospective donors with the ability to secure major gift commitments ($100,000 over several years) in support of identified philanthropic objectives.  

• Cultivates major gift prospects, building relationships and understanding the donors’/prospects’ goals with the expressed purpose of building comprehensive donor strategies to align donor interests and organizational goals.

• Meets outreach, personal visit, and revenue metrics as established by the Vice President of Advancement and Director of Major Gifts.

• Employs high-volume email, phone, social media messaging, and personalized mail outreach to secure first-time personal visits with major gifts prospects and increased leadership annual gifts. 

• Ensures necessary tracking and regular communication with prospects. Tracks fundraising progress and manages relationships to increase donor gift amounts.

• Designs highly customized donor engagement plans for assigned donors. 

• Works in concert with Donor Relations/Stewardship Coordinator to produce and deliver stewardship materials for donors. 

Leadership Annual Giving (20%) 

• Works with Annual Giving (NOLS Fund) Director to present a coordinated fundraising effort to all donors in portfolio.  

• Solicits annual fund gifts, especially at $10,000 and above, from portfolio donors and prospects to help reach annual goals for unrestricted support. 

• Stewards NOLS Fund donors through personal communication and adheres to thank you protocols. 

General Advancement Leadership and Support (10%) 

• Other duties as assigned to support the organization and changing needs of the Advancement Department. Maintain professional affiliations and expand skills by keeping abreast of the latest information and trends in major gift fundraising, including deferred giving techniques, estate planning, and tax laws. 

  The above duties should not be considered an exhaustive list; other responsibilities may be required.

  What makes a great Major Gifts Officer at NOLS? 

  We are looking for people who share our values and are keen to learn and develop their expertise. We are looking for candidates with the skills listed below. We expect to provide training and development support in some of the areas.

  • Ability to energetically and accurately represent NOLS to a variety of constituents including alumni, major and leadership annual donors, board, staff, parents, and other friends of the school. NOLS program experience preferred. 

  • Experience building and maintaining long-term relationships with fundraising constituents to help our donors accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions. 

  • Demonstrated experience in developing comprehensive donor strategies that include a variety of ways of giving.  

  • Understanding of major and planned gift fundraising. Capital and endowment campaign experience preferred. 

  • Experience in actively asking for and closing major, blended, and planned gifts; a good understanding of different giving vehicles preferred.

  • Expert project management skills, initiative, flexibility, discretion, and thoughtful decision-making to achieve ambitious performance objectives for outreach to constituents, including personal and virtual visits, gift solicitations, gift closures, and stewardship. 

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to build rapport, identify donor interests, and write customized giving proposals that include pertinent materials to donors and prospects. 

  • Experience researching and analyzing large groups of data to uncover prospects. 

  • Ability to thrive in an environment where fundraising metrics play an essential role in annual performance evaluations.  

  • Strong interpersonal, organizational, and teamwork skills. 

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and advancement CRM software such as Mission CRM. 

  • Ability and willingness to travel approximately 50% of the time within the assigned geographic region in the U.S. 

  • Ability and willingness to work outside of normal business hours frequently, participating regularly in fundraising dinners, community events, conferences, and after-hours or weekend meetings with high-net-worth individuals. 

  • Ability to act independently and in the supervisor's stead as needed and exercise independent judgment to identify and solve problems. 

  • Ability to sensitively handle confidential information.  

  • CFRE or other fundraising credential preferred.

  In your first 6 months, you will: 

  • Begin to connect with donors in your portfolio, requiring individual visits (in-person and virtually) to cultivate, steward, and solicit support

  • Develop and implement strategies for cultivation, solicitations and stewardship of donors 

  • Establish cooperative working relationships with development and other staff members to increase understanding and support of development efforts

  • Learn about NOLS programs and projects across the world

  • Learn how to use the NOLS donor database

  • Participate in the development of funding proposals and other donor collateral

  • Lead or assist in donor events

  Who are we and what can we offer you?

  NOLS is a nonprofit global wilderness school that seeks to help people step forward boldly as a leader.

  We believe that anyone can be a leader; it is our role to provide the environment and training to help people discover their full potential. We do that in classrooms close to home and in remote wilderness areas around the world. We are an organization with heart, expertise, and wildness, and these qualities help us support powerful, authentic experiences.

  We are looking for a skilled relationship builder who understands and shares our passion to join our dynamic and growing team.

  NOLS really is a great place to work:

  • We have locations in seven U.S. states, and six countries; and courses in all 50 U.S. states and over 10 countries.

  • We have fantastic employee discounts on top outdoor gear brands

  • We offer discounts on NOLS Courses for you and your family

  • All employees can benefit of free Outdoor Equipment "Rental" at our various locations

  • Insurance Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits are available at a special NOLS rate to seasonal employees. Full-time employees are eligible for benefits package. 

  • Wellness Time: Accrued leave that may be used for many HR-approved reasons throughout the season.

  • Employee Assistance Program: Access to counselors that are available 24/7 to assist employees with work-life balance concerns.

  How to Apply

  We use a great platform called Applied to reduce bias in the recruitment process. You will need to answer a few work-based questions which will be anonymously marked by members of our team. Our selection is based on performance in these questions, rather than looking at your resume.

  Candidates with the top scoring answers will be invited to a structured interview where you get to meet some of the team. At the interview stage you will be asked questions that reflect the role, so you have the chance to demonstrate your skills. It is at this stage we first see your resume. We give eligible applicants feedback through our hiring platform.

Additional Information

• A criminal background check is required from all NOLS employees.

• NOLS participates in E-verify for U.S. employees, Certificado de Antecedentes for Chilean or Mexican employees, and other relevant employment verification systems based on location.

• Current NOLS employees please note it is NOLS policy to conduct an internal reference check with human resources and/or your current supervisor as part of the reference check process. If you have any questions or concerns about this process please contact peopleteam@nols.edu.

NOLS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetics information, disability unrelated to job or admission requirements, or status as a protected veteran. The school’s nondiscrimination policy applies to all phases of its employment process, its admission and financial aid programs, and to all other aspects of its educational programs and activities. Retaliation directed to any person who pursues a discrimination complaint or grievance, participates in a discrimination investigation, or otherwise opposes unlawful discrimination is prohibited.

NOLS values community and fosters a sense of belonging for our employees and applicants. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations in the workplace because they embody these values, as well as our operating principle of promoting a positive, safe, and learning environment. Reasonable accommodations may be requested for disability; limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition; religion; and domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or harassment. Reasonable accommodations may be requested at any point of the employment process, including during recruitment. Please email peopleteam@nols.edu with your request.