Jan 06, 2025
Org
About the Organization
Mount Holyoke College is a selective, nondenominational, residential liberal arts college that welcomes applications from female, trans, and non-binary students. Mount Holyoke’s exploratory education opens new pathways for discovery and knowledge, while the collaborative community supports students as they develop skills to solve challenges everywhere. Students are encouraged to see the world through a different lens—exploring beyond traditional boundaries and connecting to global perspectives and points-of-view. Working closely with exceptional faculty and staff, students are challenged to think creatively, act collaboratively, and lead purposefully. That’s why Mount Holyoke alums can be found on the leading edge of change—from the arts and humanities to STEM innovation to social justice and beyond. As a community of achievement, Mount Holyoke celebrates what makes each of us extraordinary while cultivating a deep sense of connectivity.
Mount Holyoke’s vibrant campus is home to over 2,100 students. Mount Holyoke has the most globally diverse students of any liberal arts college in the U.S., with 20 percent of the student body representing 80 countries other than the U.S. And 28 percent of students identify as domestic students of color—African American, Asian American, Latinx, Native American or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or multiracial.
With strong traditions and spaces designed for collaboration, the College offers three distinct Academic Centers meant to empower students to become agents of change—globally competent, environmentally responsible, ready to lead. The McCulloch Center for Global Initiatives is the hub and catalyst for comprehensive internationalization at Mount Holyoke, offering varied and meaningful opportunities for students to advance their global competencies and for faculty to incorporate more global perspectives into their teaching. The exceptional international diversity of the community offers a powerful context for building global competence. The Miller Worley Center for the Environment is dedicated to actively engaging Mount Holyoke students in the scientific, social/human, and global dimensions of environmental study, enabling students to make connections—across disciplines, across points of view, across constructs—that help them understand the concept of “environment” more broadly in their work, community, and lives. The Weissman Center for Leadership promotes the exploration and expansion of leadership—in all its many shapes and forms, helping students, faculty, and staff learn the skills to think strategically and yield influence—such as by identifying an audience, honing a message, advocating and organizing for change, and taking leadership in one’s daily life.
There is a treasure trove of time-honored traditions at Mount Holyoke that are emblematic of the ways in which students, alums, faculty, and leaders show up every day, treating each other with respect and affecting positive social change. These experiences and ways of being serve as unifying threads binding past and present students, faculty, and staff.
Job Description
Position salary range: $97,717 – $116,283
Position reports to: Director of Gift Planning
Mount Holyoke College (MHC), a private liberal arts women’s college that is gender diverse, seeks a curious, creative, and diplomatic fundraiser to join the MHC Development team as Gift Planning Officer (GPO) during a time of renewal, vigor, and bold action as the College continues its legacy as a trailblazer in women’s education and a powerhouse of changemakers and visionaries. The GPO will be an integral member of the Development team in securing blended and deferred philanthropic support across the U.S. in support of the MHC Forward Strategic Plan, calling upon the support of a fiercely loyal and connected alum community representative of the fearless leaders and boundless learners who attend and work at Mount Holyoke.
As the oldest member of the historic Seven Sisters colleges, Mount Holyoke’s history as an educational institution forged in dissent is central to its vision for the future. Rooted in a nearly 200-year history of challenging exclusion and advancing gender equity, the College remains unwavering in its support for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility—even as these values face threats. MHC has been a trailblazer in inclusive admissions policies, becoming the first of the Seven Sisters to welcome trans and nonbinary students. With a proud legacy of global renown, the College fiercely advocates for its international student community, which represents 20 percent of students. Nationally recognized for its high level of undergraduate research, Mount Holyoke continues to invest in scholarly research and discovery. Historically, Mount Holyoke has been a premier producer of women who earn doctorates in STEM. According to 2024 data from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), Mount Holyoke ranks #1 among baccalaureate colleges for women alums earning PhDs in the life sciences (1972–2022) and is virtually tied for the top spot in any STEM field. The College earned the prestigious Carnegie Classification as a baccalaureate college with “Arts & Sciences Focus and High Research.”
Under President Danielle Holley’s leadership, the Mount Holyoke community is alive with ambition and purpose to support the MHC Forward Strategic Plan, which lays out a bold vision to ensure Mount Holyoke’s enduring excellence and transformative impact. MHC Forward sets the foundation for the College’s next comprehensive campaign, launching in the fall of 2026. Mount Holyoke’s culture of principled boldness and forward-thinking momentum offers an inspiring context for the GPO to contribute to a mission deeply rooted in societal impact at a time when women’s colleges are more important than ever.
The GPO reports to the Director of Gift Planning and plays a central role in advancing the College’s strategic priorities as a key frontline fundraiser responsible for managing a portfolio of MHC alums, partners, and friends. In partnership with senior leaders and internal partners, the GPO will utilize data and research to identify and qualify prospects, develop creative and meaningful cultivation plans, and formulate effective solicitation strategies. The GPO will be an engaging and visible ambassador of the College and collaborate across the College Relations division to ensure a coordinated and personalized donor experience. The GPO will be a key contributor in the College’s efforts to maintain the prominent role of planned gifts in achieving annual fundraising goals.
The ideal candidate will be a values-driven, goal-oriented professional with four to five years of experience building and nurturing strong relationships to secure resources within a complex organization. The GPO must have a strong understanding of development, technical acumen, knowledge of higher education, and the ability to build trust and collaboration among diverse stakeholders. The successful candidate must have exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills and a collegial, team-building style with a demonstrated ability to cultivate productive, collaborative relationships. The GPO will bring curiosity, sound judgment, and a collegial spirit to a high-performing and mission-driven team. In accordance with its core values and mission, MHC is especially interested in recruiting members of diverse communities and individuals who will promote and uphold the values embodied within the College’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement.
Contact email for applicants MHC-GPO@talentcitizen.com