Job details

Major Gifts Officer

The Archdiocese of Chicago is the third largest diocese in the United States and serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 15,000 employees across its ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region’s largest nonprofit social service agency. The Archdiocese also has one of the country’s largest seminaries. The Archdiocese’s elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems.

Title: Major Gift Officer

Department: Stewardship and Development

Reports To: Director of Giving

Summary The Major Gift Officer is part of the Stewardship/Development team and is responsible for the planning, cultivation, and solicitation, as well as stewardship of a portfolio. This portfolio consists of major gift prospective benefactors to benefit the ministries of the Archdiocese of Chicago. The Major Gift Officer is also responsible for cultivating relationships with prospects and existing donors that are willing to make deferred financial gifts as well.

Responsibilities:

▪ Identify, qualify, and solicit major cash, pledges, bequests, and other planned gifts from potential benefactors in support of the Archdiocese of Chicago (AOC) by matching archdiocesan fundraising priorities with prospective benefactor interest

▪ Manage a portfolio of approximately 200 prospective benefactors: establish benefactor moves management strategies, develop written solicitations and proposals, purposefully guide them to make major investments in the AOC and develop relationships to maximize their giving potential over time

▪ Possess a basic knowledge of the tax and requirements surrounding charitable giving.

▪ Work closely with and coordinate cultivation activities and solicitation activity with other AOC representatives including the archbishop, bishops, clergy, religious, gift managers and other staff and volunteers

▪ Track progress against measurable outcomes, analyze results, formulate methods for improvement, and report regularly to the Director of Giving and others as appropriate

▪ Meet key performance indicators as established by the Director of Giving and Senior Director of Development 2

▪ Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Giving

▪ Attend required meetings and participate as needed

▪ Maintain a thorough understanding of the mission, goals, and priorities of the Stewardship and Development office

Requirements:

High School Education or equivalent work experience

BA/BS degree — preferably in communications, fundraising or equivalent professional experience and/or CFRE preferred

Professional development and/or parish level work experience

5 years of fundraising and/or marketing experience preferred

Excellent verbal and written communication and skills

Above average computer skills in software such as Microsoft Office, Raiser’s Edge, Portfolio

Ability to meet deadlines

Ability to perform data entry tasks

Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment

Excellent problem-solving ability

Delegate responsibilities effectively

Demonstrated leadership and vision in managing staff groups

Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative management style

Ability to read, write and speak fluently in Spanish or Polish preferred

Strong work ethic, enthusiasm, and confidence

An empathy with the ethos of the Catholic Church

Affinity with the overall mission of the Archdiocese of Chicago

Must demonstrate understanding, respect and support for Catholic Church teaching, mission and values

The Archdiocese of Chicago is in the midst of exciting changes as we renew our local Church. With a variety of opportunities to contribute your professional talents and experience, we invite you to consider any of our current openings at archchicago.org/careers. We offer competitive salary and benefit packages, as well as opportunities for professional and personal growth and development

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits: