Government and public sector
10 major gifts fundraising experts
These ten fundraisers have held major gifts or principal gifts roles at universities, colleges and nonprofit organizations. A reader can learn how they approach major gift fundraising for the institutions they serve.
Professionals to explore
01—10Colby Halligan Gordon
LinkedInExperience: Director of Development, Major Gifts, Eastern Region · University of California, Berkeley
Director of Development, Major Gifts, Eastern Region at University of California, Berkeley since 2026, a role the profile describes as co-leading campus-wide major gift fundraising efforts in Boston and Washington, DC. Former Associate Director of Development (Major Gifts Officer), Student Experience & Diversity at University of California, Berkeley (2021–2023); for that role the profile lists FY22: Raised $3M+ in new individual and institutional gifts.
Danny Levi
LinkedInExperience: Director of Major Gifts · Penn Engineering
Director of Major Gifts at Penn Engineering since 2023. Former Director, Major Gifts (2021–2023) and Senior Director, Major Gifts (2023) at Columbia Business School, and former Major Gifts Officer (2016–2019) and Senior Major Gifts Officer (2019–2021) at The Wharton School.
Diane Burgess
LinkedInExperience: Director Major Gifts · University of Saint Joseph
Director Major Gifts at University of Saint Joseph since 2010, and Associate Director Leadership Giving there in 2010. The profile describes the position as that of a major gift officer and says the work involves traveling to meet with alumni and potential funders throughout the United States.
Eric Robinson
LinkedInExperience: Director of Major Gifts · Southern Methodist University
Director of Major Gifts at Southern Methodist University since 2023 and former Major Gifts Officer there (2019–2023). The profile describes engaging prospects through all facets of the donor cycle, from identification to stewardship, and traveling across the country and in the Dallas/Fort Worth communities to meet with alumni, parents and friends of SMU.
Frank Teplin
LinkedInExperience: Director of Major and Planned Gifts · YMCA of San Diego County
Former Director of Major and Planned Gifts at YMCA of San Diego County (2018–2020) and Senior Director of Development, Principal Gifts at San Diego State University (2021–2024); Senior Director of Development, Cardiovascular Institute at UC San Diego since 2024. The profile describes working as a frontline major gifts fundraiser, identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding individuals, foundations and corporations for 6- and 7-figure gifts.
Jeff Prince
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director of Major Gifts · Davidson College
Senior Director of Major Gifts at Davidson College since 2013 and former Senior Director of Development for Major Gifts, Emory College of Arts and Sciences at Emory University (2004–2013). The profile describes the work as securing resources of time and treasure from people who are passionate about the institutions they love and the causes they care about, including closing commitments for important initiatives.
Jeffrey Sapp
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Major Gifts · Penn State University
Former Director Of Major Gifts at Penn State University (2016–2019), where the profile says Sapp raised $4.8 Million, surpassing a personal $2.4 Million goal, managed a pipeline of 125 prospects and engaged with leadership and faculty to secure major gifts. Former Executive Director at University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2019–2024) and Regional Director of Development at University of Rochester (2008–2014).
Josh Butts
LinkedInExperience: Director of Development, Principal and Major Gifts · Harvard Medical School
Former Director of Development, Principal and Major Gifts (2010–2013) and Managing Director of Development, Principal and Major Gifts (2013–2016) at Harvard Medical School. As Assistant Vice President, Principal Gifts at UChicago Medicine (2016–2019), the profile says Butts led the principal gifts strategy for the Medicine and Biological Sciences development office with a focus on eight- and nine-figure solicitations. Director of Development, U.S. at World Health Organization Foundation since 2026.
Quentin Davis
LinkedInExperience: Director of Major Gifts · the V Foundation
Director of Major Gifts at the V Foundation since 2026, where the profile says Davis provides day-to-day management and strategic oversight for individual donors and prospects, manages a portfolio of approximately 100-125 individual donors and develops a Moves Management plan for individual giving. Former Associate Director of Development at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (2021–2025).
Stephen Gilmore
LinkedInExperience: Director Major Gifts and Development · Bradley University
Director Major Gifts and Development at Bradley University since 2021. Former Senior Director Major Gifts (2018–2020) and Senior Director of Philanthropy (2019–2020) at American Cancer Society, and Associate Dean for External Affairs at University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice (2006–2018). The profile describes Gilmore as a major gift fundraising and nonprofit management executive.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's institution type to yours, since raising major gifts for a university school or college differs from raising them for a community nonprofit or a health charity. If you need help setting up a program rather than closing gifts yourself, look for someone who has led a team or a portfolio strategy, not only carried an individual goal.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you decide which prospects belong in a major gifts portfolio and how many a single officer can manage well?
- 02What does a typical path from first visit to solicitation look like for a six- or seven-figure gift?
- 03Which metrics do you use to judge whether a major gifts officer is on track before gifts close?
Reaching major gifts fundraising experts
How can I contact one of these major gifts fundraising experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including University of California, Berkeley; Penn Engineering and University of Saint Joseph, based on profile data retrieved on October 3, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach major gifts fundraising experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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