"Major Gift Officer"

Job Details

Interlochen Arts Group seeks a highly motivated fundraising professional with a track record of success to join a team that recently completed a record-breaking fiscal year and is entering an exciting phase of strategic growth to expand support for scholarships, programs, and endowment initiatives. The Major Gift Officer (MGO) will play a key role as Interlochen’s campaign moves into the public phase in the summer of 2026. The Major Gift Officer (MGO) is responsible for managing a portfolio of up to 125-150 donors and prospects, with a focus on qualifying, cultivating and soliciting prospects in targeted geographic regions and for specific programs. This is a campus-based position, with local, regional and national travel required.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Engage in all phases of prospect management to result in the successful solicitation of donors and prospects for 5- to 7- figure annual, major, or planned gifts.
• Build and manage a portfolio of up to 125-150 donors and prospects; with a focus on qualifying prospects in targeted geographic regions and programs.
• Develop and cultivate relationships with donors and prospects through in-person visits, virtual meetings, phone calls, events, and written and electronic correspondence.
• Identify major gift prospects, by working with Philanthropy staff, ICA colleagues, donors, volunteers, and faculty.
• Manage the President of ICA, and the VP of Philanthropy’s interaction with key donors and volunteers managed by the MGO.
• Ensure all strategies, prospect stage information, planned and completed tasks, including contact reports, are recorded in Salesforce.
• Maintain an active, current knowledge of the institution, its activities and fundraising needs and priorities.
• Foster and maintain productive relationships with colleagues within Philanthropy and across the Interlochen campus.
• Seeks the best use of materials, equipment and staff to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Complies with ICA policies/procedures and acts as a good steward of ICA finances.
• Respects the culture, diversity and rights of all students, their families and the community.
• Prioritizes duties in a manner consistent with organizational objectives and growth.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Two to five years of major gift fundraising experience preferred, or equivalent direct fundraising experience that provides a foundation for major gift work.
• Computer proficiency, with a skill set and aptitude for entering, interpreting and tracking donor data
• Proficiency with Google Suite or Microsoft Office, and CRM systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong computer proficiency with the ability to enter, interpret, and track donor data accurately.
• Ability to follow and execute detailed verbal and written instructions.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability and willingness to travel 5-7 days per month during the school year.
• Ability and willingness to attend evening and weekend events to support philanthropy initiatives.

Application Materials Required:

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Company

World-class educational and cultural opportunities converge on our glorious, 1,200-acre campus through Interlochen Arts Camp, our immersive and multidisciplinary summer arts program; Interlochen Arts Academy, the nation’s premier arts boarding high school; Interlochen Presents, a producer of more than 600 annual performances by internationally celebrated guest artists Interlochen students, and faculty, and  Interlochen College of Creative Arts, a convener for continuing arts education and lifelong learning. Interlochen Online brings the Interlochen experience into the homes of emerging artists around the world, and Interlochen Public Radio broadcasts classical music, local news, and cultural programs far and wide.

Interlochen alumni from around the world lead vibrant, purposeful lives in the arts and beyond, having developed confidence and perspective within our diverse and inclusive community. The Interlochen experience equips young people with an enduring skill: the creative capacity to make a positive impact on their world.