Major Gifts Officer

The Organization

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (GLI) is the nation’s leading American history organization dedicated to K–12 education. The Institute’s mission is to promote the knowledge and understanding of American history through educational programs and resources. Since its founding in 1994, the Gilder Lehrman Institute has created powerful and meaningful ways to teach and learn history. Focusing on primary sources, the Institute offers teacher seminars, online courses, exhibitions, digital materials, and print publications that enable students of all ages and backgrounds to study the nation’s past.

The Institute brings the work of today’s leading historians into classrooms and homes around the globe. Through public events, publications, posters, videos, exhibitions, essays, and a dedicated website rich in primary sources, the Institute brings every period of American history to life. The Institute’s diverse education programs, including the acclaimed Hamilton Education Program, provide opportunities to explore five centuries of American history. The Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School network comprises fourteen million students and 97,000 teachers from more than 36,000 schools worldwide.

The Role

Are you passionate about supporting a mission-driven organization focused on American history education and civic engagement? Are you looking for an entrepreneurial, front-line fundraising role that allows you to be creative, hands-on, and part of building the next generation of engaged supporters? The Gilder Lehrman Institute’s development team is looking for you!

Reporting to the Director of Development (DoD), the Major Gifts Officer is a frontline fundraiser who will oversee and grow a portfolio of 50–100 individual donors and prospects capable of giving $10,000 annually. This role will expand GLI’s fundraising capacity beyond the President and DoD by building a portfolio and cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding significant gifts directly. This role will also be the main liaison with members of the President’s Council, a group of engaged GLI supporters. GLI has an extensive suite of events, including an annual gala, four book prize ceremonies, and several cultivation and stewardship events annually. The Director will partner closely with the events team to identify new prospects, develop guest lists, plan a calendar of cultivation/stewardship events, and maximize donor engagement through events.

This is a senior role within a seven-member Development team at a moment of organizational growth. GLI’s annual operating budget is approximately $12.5M, with more than $5M raised annually from philanthropy. Bolstered by this strong foundation, the Major Gifts Officer will help drive expanded individual support for emerging organizational priorities.

This position is based in New York City, and at the current time, requires in-person work at least one day per week in GLI’s midtown office. Some evening work will be required, and GLI offers both a flex time and comp time policy.

Responsibilities

Portfolio Management & Major Gifts (70%)

• Work closely with the Director of Development to identify, qualify, and build a dynamic portfolio of individual major donor prospects ($10K+).
• Manage this portfolio through all phases of the giving cycle, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the President’s Council, ensuring meaningful engagement, recognition, and growth in giving.
• Conduct donor meetings and solicitations, securing annual and multi-year commitments.
• Develop and implement annual and multi-year strategies for donor engagement and stewardship aligned with GLI’s philanthropic priorities.
• Create compelling proposals, reports, and impact communications in collaboration with program, marketing, finance, and development colleagues.
• Track donor interactions, moves, and strategies in Salesforce, maintaining accurate and timely records.

Event Strategy & Donor Engagement (20%)

• Partner with the events team to plan an annual events calendar.
• Leverage events (including salons, small gatherings, book prizes, and the annual gala) as opportunities to deepen relationships and identify new prospects.
• Provide strategic input on event guest lists to ensure participation from key donors and prospects, and coordinate seating/introductions to maximize engagement.
• Serve as a front-line representative of GLI at events, ensuring meaningful touchpoints with major donors and prospects.
• Collaborate with colleagues on event follow-up, ensuring timely stewardship and moves management to advance donor relationships.
• Work closely with trustees, the President’s Council, and other leadership volunteers to design and host cultivation opportunities.

Development Strategy & Team Collaboration (10%)

• Contribute to annual and long-term fundraising goals and strategic planning with the Director of Development.
• Support the Director of Development in developing a planned giving strategy for GLI.
• Support and expand GLI’s donor pipeline by conducting research, identifying new prospects, and leveraging networks.
• Strengthen stewardship and recognition strategies to increase donor retention and growth.
• Train and work closely with development staff on donor engagement, proposals, reports, and event materials, ensuring high-quality execution.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on cultivation strategies, donor briefings, and communications.
• Recommend improvements to internal systems, databases, and operations to support donor engagement and efficiency.
• Perform other development-related duties and undertake projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Passion for GLI’s mission and enthusiasm for engaging with the breadth of American history and civics initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in a frontline fundraising role, with a strong understanding of fundraising principles, strategies, and sector trends.
• Proven success managing a donor portfolio, making solicitations, stewarding donors, and meeting or exceeding fundraising goals.
• Self-starter with excellent judgment, discretion, and the ability to make independent decisions.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling donor correspondence and proposals.
• Team-oriented mindset with a commitment to fostering a collaborative, supportive, and growing Development department.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for donor meetings and to staff evening cultivation or stewardship events.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills to engage effectively with Board members, donors, scholars, and GLI colleagues.
• Ability to represent GLI with professionalism and enthusiasm to donors, external stakeholders, and the public.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to work collaboratively, manage multiple priorities, and communicate clearly.
• Proficiency with fundraising tools and systems, including CRM platforms, email marketing tools, and donor communication strategies.

The Gilder Lehrman Institute offers a generous and inclusive benefits package, including employer-paid health, dental, disability, and life insurance, 401(k) and FSA plans, and paid time off in the first year of hire, including a paid winter recess from December 25 to 31. The Institute also reimburses 90% of the cost of tuition for the Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman Master of Arts in American History.