Major Gifts Officer

The Cal Alumni Association (CAA) provides all Cal graduates with rewarding connections to the university, to fellow alums, and to current students. Founded by the original graduates of the University of California in 1872, the Cal Alumni Association today represents more than half a million alums living throughout the world.

Our mission is to cultivate a lifelong relationship with our alma mater by connecting and inspiring alums, students, and the campus community through meaningful and inclusive opportunities. We foster a culture that celebrates diversity, creates a sense of belonging, and advances equity.

 

The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) plays a key role in driving philanthropic revenue growth and advancing the mission of the Cal Alumni Association (CAA). This strategic and experienced fundraising leader will collaborate closely with the Executive Director, Board, and senior management team to cultivate transformational relationships with high-capacity alumni and donors.

At a moment of strategic expansion and opportunity, the Major Gifts Officer will build and manage a focused portfolio of major gift prospects capable of six- and seven-figure commitments. This role focuses on deepening engagement with CAA’s global alumni network to secure the visionary philanthropic support needed to scale alumni programs, expand scholarship impact, and strengthen the organization’s long-term sustainability. The Major Gifts Officer is ultimately responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors whose investments will create lasting impact for current and future generations of Cal alumni and students.

This position reports directly to the Executive Director and works in close partnership with Board members, and program leaders to align major gifts strategies with CAA’s strategic priorities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Philanthropic Growth

• Develop and execute comprehensive, data-driven strategies to identify, qualify, and cultivate a robust pipeline of major gift prospects and donors.
• Build and manage a focused portfolio of high-capacity prospects, leading personalized discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities.
• Partner with the Executive Director, Board, and senior leadership to co-create compelling cases for support that connect donors’ passions with CAA’s mission and strategic goals.
• Contribute to organization-wide philanthropic planning, including integration with capital campaigns, multi-year commitments, and alignment with revenue-generating business units.

Donor Engagement & Relationship Management

• Cultivate deep, trust-based relationships with alumni, parents, and friends capable of transformational gifts, leveraging CAA’s global network of over 500,000 UC Berkeley graduates.
• Craft and deliver personalized proposals and impact reports that demonstrate how major gifts drive meaningful outcomes in scholarships, alumni programs, and signature initiatives.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with program teams (scholarships, travel, magazine, Lair of the Bear, etc.) to ensure seamless donor experiences and transparent stewardship.

Team Collaboration & Impact Delivery

• Serve as a key thought partner to the senior management team and Board on philanthropic trends, donor insights, and strategies for sustainable revenue growth.
• Mentor and collaborate with development colleagues to elevate overall advancement efforts and foster a culture of excellence in major gifts fundraising.
• Track and report on portfolio performance, pipeline health, and gift outcomes to leadership and the Board.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree (advanced degree or CFRE preferred).
• 8–12+ years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience, with at least 5–7 years focused on major gifts solicitation and relationship management.
• Proven track record of personally closing six- and seven-figure gifts.
• 3+ years of experience building, scaling, and leading a major gifts team.
• Deep passion for the Cal Alumni Association’s mission and the ability to articulate its impact with authenticity and inspiration.
• Experience in a fast-growing nonprofit or during a capital campaign.
• Proficiency with CRM platforms (Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge, or similar) and moves management processes.
• Bay Area philanthropic network or willingness to build one.

Stewardship Competencies

• Exceptional relationship-builder and storyteller with high emotional intelligence.
• Strategic thinker who translates mission into donor opportunities.
• Results-oriented leader who thrives on ambitious goals and measurable impact.
• Collaborative, resilient, and mission-driven.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

This position is classified as an at-will, full-time, exempt position. Pay range is $150,000-$190,000 annualized. This position is eligible to participate in healthcare benefits, and a retirement plan with company match. We offer great work-life balance opportunities with generous vacation and holiday time-off benefits. CAA staff, while not University of California employees, are eligible for many UC Berkeley affiliate staff programs, professional development and networking opportunities, and discounts on campus. We have a friendly and professional culture and we pride ourselves on our team approach and the profound satisfaction of driving meaningful growth and impact every day.

Benefits

For Our Full-time Employees:

CAA offers an excellent health care and supplemental benefits packages, 403(b), a generous paid time-off benefit, and more. We have a friendly, relaxed but professional environment, and we pride ourselves on our team approach.

Health Care Benefits:

• CAA employees are required to contribute 10% of their total medical premium for the employee and 20% for any eligible dependents.
• CAA pays 100% of the premiums for Dental and Vision benefits for the employee and any eligible dependents.

Paid Time Off Benefits:

• Vacation: 16 days/year for first 2 years of service, 18 days/year after completing 2 years of service, 21 days/year after completing 5 years of service.
• Sick time: 12 days/year
• Holidays: 11 total per year
• Paid time off between Dec 26 and Dec 31
• Birthday Holiday: 1 Day off

Professional Development:

• As affiliates to UC Berkeley, CAA employees are eligible to participate in many of the on-campus professional development workshops, seminars and professional networks available to UCB employees. Please note that this does not include undergraduate or graduate courses offered to students.
• CAA has a partnership with UC Berkeley Extension that offers our employees a discount on enrollment fees.

Financial Benefits:

• 403(b) retirement savings plan with a company match
• Supplemental Insurance with 100% of premiums paid by CAA:
  • Life Insurance
  • AD&D Insurance
  • LTD Insurance
• Option to purchase supplemental insurance plans from AFLAC

Commuting and Parking:

• If you’re a commuter, consider taking advantage our pre-tax public transit commuter benefit. You can load your Clipper Card or pay public transit fare with pre-tax dollars.
• Cal Bear Pass: Take advantage of UCB’s partnership with AC Transit. The partnership offers a cost savings of up to 70% off the standard monthly bus pass rate! CAA employees are eligible to purchase an AC transit pass at the faculty/staff discount rate with pre-tax payroll deductions.
• UCB Campus Parking Permit: As affiliates to UCB, our CAA employees are eligible to purchase a campus parking permit at the faculty/staff discount rate with pre-tax payroll deductions.

Access to Campus Programs and Discounts:

• Eligible to join the Recreational Sports Facility (RSF) at the Faculty/Staff discount rate
• Special campus events
• Free admission to the University Art Museum
• Discount tickets for Cal Performances, Pacific Film Archive, and Hertz Hall
• AirBears: wireless internet access on campus