cornell
Major Gift Associate
At a Glance
- Location
- Ithaca (Main Campus), United States
- Work Regime
- hybrid
- Employment
- Full time
- Experience
- 3–5 years
- Compensation
- Rate Type: Salary Pay Range: $72,209.00 - $83,447.00 Remote Option Availability: H
- Posted
- 2026-07-27
Key Requirements
Domain Knowledge
- Marketing
Requirements
Demonstrated ability to use computer software applications, databases, and networked information systems, with interest and willingness to try new technologies, including AI.
Compensation & Benefits
Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits:
Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell
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Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions:
Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
Responsibilities
Cornell Bowers College of Computing and Information Science is excited to hire a Major Gift Associate (MGA) to join the staff of its ambitious and high-performing Alumni Affairs and Development team.
Reporting to the college’s assistant dean, the MGA works collaboratively with major gift officers and program staff to advance fundraising priorities by supporting the identification, cultivation, solicitation, engagement, and stewardship of major-gift prospects and donors.
Liaise with Bowers AAD colleagues and Donor Relations in crafting and finalizing gift agreements —including gift proposals, gift agreements, briefings, case materials, correspondence, and volunteer nominations—by researching and synthesizing information about college and university priorities, in support of the cultivation and solicitation of major gifts (including, on a limited basis, foundation and corporate prospects).
Manage the gift acknowledgement process to ensure timely gift acknowledgements; partner closely with colleagues across AAD to shape stewardship of major and principal gifts—including tailored donor reports and tracking of college endowments, scholarships, and naming opportunities.
Coordinate portfolio workflow with the assistant dean and major gift officer(s) to document and track donor strategies; generate lists and reports from OBEII and Tableau; and maintain accurate database information reflecting prospect activity.
Initiate and support prospect identification and research, and conduct discovery research to generate recommendations for the major gift officer and assistant dean that grow the pipeline of major-gift prospects.
About the Company
Cornell's Alumni Affairs and Development division, widely regarded as one of the top-performing advancement organizations in higher education, connects alumni, parents and friends with opportunities to advance the university's mission through philanthropy and engagement. As part of our team, you'll help cultivate meaningful relationships while working alongside dedicated professionals who share your commitment to excellence and educational advancement.