NEWTON, Massachusetts
Rochester, New York
Posted: 06-Mar-26
Location: Weston, Massachusetts
Type: Full Time
Salary: 90,000-100,000
Categories:
MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER
Date Posted: March 4, 2026 Start Date: TBD
Description: 12-month, full-time, staff position
Salary Range: $90,000 - $100,000
The Cambridge School of Weston (CSW) seeks a dynamic and mission-driven Major Gifts Officer (MGO) to join a collaborative development team during an exciting moment in the school’s history. With a $15 million comprehensive campaign well underway and more than two-thirds of the goal already secured, the MGO will play a key role in deepening relationships with donors and securing philanthropic support that advances CSW’s mission.
The MGO will manage a portfolio of approximately 75–90 prospects and be responsible for conducting at least 120 individual donor meetings annually with alumni, families, and friends of the school. This is a frontline fundraising position that requires occasional travel, primarily in New England and occasionally further travel for special targeted efforts. The ideal candidate will be passionate about CSW’s progressive education mission, experienced in cultivating and soliciting five- and six-figure gifts, and energized by in-person engagement with prospects and donors and also by ownership of special projects.
The Campaign:
CSW’s $15 million campaign is built around pillars that reflect the school’s mission and aspirations:
Opportunity and Access: Expanding financial aid to ensure students have access to the CSW experience.
Campus Renovations: Transforming our East Quad building into a vibrant learning and gathering space, including as a hub for math and robotics, and planning for the enhancement of our art building to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
Off-Campus Engagement: Creating opportunities beyond the classroom to develop locally and globally aware, civic-minded students.
The campaign is on schedule and on target, offering the Major Gifts Officer an exciting opportunity to play a key role in its successful completion and celebrate its transformative impact.
Essential Functions:
Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Major Gifts Officer will:
- Manage a portfolio of approximately 75–90 prospects, including alumni, current and past parents, and friends of CSW.
- Conduct a minimum of 120 individual prospect and donor meetings annually.
- Cultivate, solicit, and steward five- and six-figure gifts, including annual, capital, endowed, planned, and campaign gifts.
- Collaborate with Engagement and Development colleagues on prospect, donor, alumni, and parent engagement and solicitation strategies.
- Travel as needed, primarily within New England, with occasional targeted efforts beyond the region.
- Lead projects or key activities, such as those related to donor relations, events, and stewardship.
- Serve as a visible member of the CSW community, attending school events and engaging with students, alumni, faculty, staff, and families.
- Participate in regular faculty/staff meetings and engage with the school community as appropriate.
Skills and Qualifications:
CSW seeks a dedicated and self-motivated fundraiser who is:
- Mission-Aligned: Excited by CSW’s progressive education model and student-centered approach.
- Relationship-Driven: Enjoys building authentic connections and representing the school with warmth and professionalism.
- Experienced in Fundraising: At least 5 years of experience in the nonprofit and/or development sector with at least 2 years of frontline fundraising experience, or transferable experience/skills.
- Confident Solicitor: Comfortable soliciting six-figure gifts and experienced in securing gifts of $25,000 or more.
- Strong Writer: Thoughtful, thorough, nuanced, and clear written work displaying excellent attention to detail.
- Organized and Goal-Oriented: Skilled at managing a portfolio and projects, planning travel, tracking activity, and meeting goals.
- Collaborative: A team player who thrives in a collegial environment and works well across departments and constituencies.
Working Conditions:
This is a full-time, hybrid role. Team members are expected to be present on campus four days a week and have the option to work remotely one day per week on a consistent schedule, coordinated with the Development team. Flexibility is built in for donor travel and external meetings.
Benefits of Working at CSW:
- Collegial faculty and working environment
- Curricular agency valuing creativity, innovation, and collaboration
- Competitive salary and robust human resource benefits (commensurate with part-time equivalency)
- Funding and institutional support for professional development
- Innovative daily and annual schedule that values reflection and relationship-building
- Wooded, 65-acre campus located just 12 miles from Boston and Cambridge, with access to scenic walking trails and excellent local restaurants and shops.
- Easy access to Kendal Green MBTA station, with on-campus parking and EV charging stations.
To Apply for This Position:
Please email a cover letter and resume to developmentjobs@csw.org with the subject, “Major Gifts Officer.” Please send PDF files only. No phone calls, please. References will be requested later in the process.