[Hiring] Major Gift Officer @National Outdoor Leadership School

Role Description

The Major Gift Officer (MGO) will serve as the lead strategist and relationship manager for a dynamic portfolio of major and principal gift donors across the West Coast. You will develop personalized engagement and solicitation plans, steward long-term donor relationships, and work collaboratively with colleagues to align donor interests with the school’s priorities. This position plays a central role in elevating philanthropic partnerships and opening new pathways.

In this role, you'll also coordinate closely with other teams across the organization—including finance, expedition, wilderness medicine and other staff, trustees, and volunteers—to design high-impact donor experiences and create opportunities for deeper engagement. You will represent NOLS with confidence and authenticity, speaking passionately about our leadership, the outdoors as the greatest teacher, and wilderness medicine programs.

You will be a compelling advocate for giving at all levels, including planned gifts and other non-cash contributions.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong track record of securing major and principal gifts, an instinct for building relationships, and a genuine passion for the outdoors. You’ll be a strategic thinker, a natural collaborator, and an articulate spokesperson for NOLS’ mission and impact. This is more than a fundraising role, it’s a leadership opportunity to bring others into a shared vision and help fuel the next chapter of NOLS.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of progressive experience in a development department as a frontline fundraiser.
• Proven success building long-term relationships, managing an individual portfolio, and actively asking for and closing major gifts (5-figure minimums).
• Foundational understanding of major, principal, and planned giving vehicles within a non-profit structure.
• Capital and endowment campaign experience preferred.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• A genuine passion for the outdoors, leadership development, and wilderness medicine programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to write customized giving proposals and deliver pitches confidently.
• 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree along with a proven fundraising track record, ideally with 3-5 years of 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.

Benefits

• Receive special pricing on NOLS courses for yourself and your family.
• Full-time employees are eligible for a robust benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• We offer a flexible time off policy that empowers employees to take the time they need for rest, adventure, and personal priorities without the constraints of traditional accrual systems.
• Access confidential, 24/7 counseling and support services to help you maintain balance and well-being.