Major Gift Associate, Northeast Corridor

Cornell University, a nationally ranked Ivy League institution, is looking for a Major Gift Associate (MGA) to join the Northeast Corridor team in New York City.  

As Cornell's local presence on the East Coast, the Northeast Corridor shares the University’s breadth with its largest community of alumni and friends. In collaboration with campus partners, we foster lifelong connections and learning through giving, personal relationships, volunteerism, and events.  We discover and inspire new supporters who advance Cornell’s mission in urban centers and rural communities from Washington DC to Maine, playing a critical role in the $5 billion campaign to do the greatest good.

SUMMARY

As part of a team raising philanthropic support for Cornell, the Major Gifts Associate (MGA) will serve as a partner to the Major Gifts Officers (MGO) in the Northeast Corridor (NEC). The MGOs manage portfolios with the potential to make gifts of between $100K and $10 million. The MGA is responsible for working collaboratively with the MGOs to initiate and assist with activities/tasks required to develop and implement individual cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies and actions aligned with identified institutional priorities. 

Key Responsibilities

• Provide written communication for diverse audiences including background and supporting materials, correspondence, briefings, proposals seeking financial support, talking points, gift documentation, and nominations, in partnership with MGOs. 

• Assist MGOs in developing plans for and executing stewardship activities including reports and meetings.  

• Support the NEC pipeline development by identifying potential prospects.  

• Provide reporting to NEC leadership to track fundraising goals, workgroup progress, and DEI metrics. 

• Assist MGOs by facilitating connections for the MGO with university stakeholders, crafting campus visit itineraries, and providing event coordination and support. 

• Develop and maintain knowledge of university priorities, programs, and initiatives, as well as AAD programs and possible engagement opportunities for alumni, parents and friends. 

• Coordinate work-flow for assigned group of MGOs in conjunction with the Development Coordinator and others in Alumni Affairs & Development in the completion of tasks to facilitate prospect activity.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3 to 5 years relevant experience or equivalent combination.  

• Must have strong interpersonal skills and effective communication skills, both written and oral. 

• Strong writing skills, especially persuasive writing.  

• Ability to work with individuals from across the university, as well as with key alumni and volunteers and executive staff. 

• Demonstrated ability to work independently.  

• Must be able to exercise judgment, and conduct oneself in a professional and ethical manner. Must be able to work with highly sensitive and confidential information.  

• Ability to work with multiple team members' styles effectively. 

• Must be extremely organized and detail-oriented.  

• Must be able to prioritize assignments for completion in a timely manner.  

• Must have demonstrated ability to use computer software applications, databases, networked informational systems and the Internet.

Rewards and Benefits

Cornell receives national recognition, as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive health care options

• Access to wellness programs

• Employee discounts with local and national retail brands

• Generous retirement contributions

• Leave provisions including three weeks of vacation and 12 holidays

• Impressive educational benefits including tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, Tuition Aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance program

• Learn more about benefit opportunities

This position is based in New York, NY with hybrid work arrangements.  

No Visa Sponsorship is available for this position.

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