Join our team.

Major Gifts Officer: Position Summary

The Major Gifts Officer plays a dual role in both fundraising and program delivery. This individual will lead efforts to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors (individuals, foundations, and corporate partners), while also supporting the execution of high-visibility programs and events—such as workshops, pitch competitions, and fundraising dinners—that advance HBCUFI’s mission.

We’re seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven professional with experience in both donor development and program coordination who can contribute to growing the visibility, sustainability, and impact of our work.

Key Responsibilities

Major Gifts Fundraising (75%)

• Portfolio Development & Management:

• Manage a portfolio of 75–100 major gift prospects with the capacity to give $25,000 or more.

• Build and implement customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.

• Donor Engagement:

• Conduct in-person and virtual meetings with donors and prospects.

• Draft compelling proposals, presentations, and reports aligned with donor interests.

• Ensure consistent stewardship and donor recognition.

• Cross-Team Collaboration:

• Collaborate with senior leadership, board members, and program staff to align donor priorities with the organization's needs.

• Partner with communications and marketing to develop donor-centric outreach.

• Grantwriting/Tracking & Reporting:

• Prepare and submit funding proposals for corporate and foundation donors

• Maintain accurate donor records and reporting requirements using CRM systems.

• Analyze giving trends to inform fundraising strategies and forecasts.

Event Management (25%)

• Workshops & Competitions:

• Support logistics for founder workshops, pitch competitions, and other educational programming.

• Coordinate volunteer engagement and ensure a high-quality participant experience.

• Fundraising & Donor Events:

• Lead the planning and execution of cultivation and stewardship events, including virtual and in-person donor briefings, networking events, and innovation showcases.

• Collaborate with internal teams and external vendors to manage event logistics, promotion, and follow-up.

• Program-Donor Alignment:

• Align programs and events with donor engagement opportunities, helping to create touchpoints that deepen relationships and demonstrate impact.

• Identify ways to engage donors in programs as judges, mentors, or panelists.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in fundraising, donor relations, or nonprofit program management, with a strong record of securing and stewarding major gifts.

• Demonstrated ability to lead both fundraising and programmatic initiatives.

• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and project management capabilities.

• Passion for racial equity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and the HBCU ecosystem.

• Experience with donor databases or CRM systems.

• Ability to travel for events and donor meetings as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing donor-facing or public programs and events.

• Knowledge of the startup, tech, or venture capital ecosystem.

• Familiarity with HBCUs or direct connections to HBCU communities as an alum or administrator.

• Understanding of higher education extracurricular programming.

• Comfort with virtual platforms and hybrid event planning.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $100,000 – $150,000, commensurate with experience.

• Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with match; generous PTO; flexible remote work culture.

• Professional Development: Support for continued learning and growth.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume, a cover letter detailing your interest and relevant experience, and a writing sample (preferably donor- or program-facing) to community@hbcufi.org. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

The HBCU Founders Initiative is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in all its forms. We strongly encourage individuals from HBCUs, BIPOC communities, and those historically underrepresented in tech and philanthropy to apply.