Fund Development | Director, Major Gifts

Catholic Charities is looking for the right people; people who wish to serve their community as a part of a family friendly organization doing good within the Houston-Galveston area. We attract and retain the best talent by investing in our employees. People of all faiths helping people in need.

The primary focus of the Director of Major Gifts is to identify, qualify, cultivate and solicit prospects and donors for major gifts ($10,000+).  This position works closely with the Vice President of Development and Stewardship and the CEO in various development activities including: developing and executing solicitation strategies for the agency’s major donors, developing proposals and reports for donors and other constituents; conducting cultivation and stewardship activities with donors and prospects; drafting, reviewing, and revising donor communications copy and materials;; developing donor-centric collateral related to programs and organization activities.  This position also manages a team of Development Officers, providing guidance and support to ensure that the development team achieves annual and campaign goals.  May function for the Vice President of Development and Stewardship in his/her absence.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

• Consistently supports and upholds the mission, vision, and values of Catholic Charities.
• Maintains and develops a collaborative working relationship with program staff, senior leadership, Catholic Charities board of directors, and community stakeholders.
• Conduct frequent prospect meetings to cultivate and solicit prospects and close major gifts ($10,000+).
• Successfully achieve individual annual fundraising goals, as determined by the VP of Development and Stewardship, through management of a robust portfolio of major gift prospects, and regularly close major gifts of $10,000+ from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Develop tailored, donor-centric proposals and reports that provide appropriate levels of detail with regard to program outputs/outcomes and the requirements that govern service delivery.  Also, assists in drafting, editing and reviewing fundraising materials and other communications.
• Maintains positive relationships with prospects and donors and identifies and participates in opportunities for cultivation and stewardship.
• In collaboration with the Vice President of Development and Director of Development and Foundation Relations develops a systematic fundraising plan that includes both individual and institutional (organization, business and foundation) prospects.
• Plans, supports, and participates in cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of current and prospective major donors (individuals, corporations and foundations), including coordinating and conducting site visits of the programs and offices of Catholic Charities.
• Develops supporting written material explaining the purpose and work of Catholic Charities directing specific opportunities for giving.
• Manage a team of Development Officers, providing guidance and support to ensure that the development team achieves annual and campaign goals.
• With the Vice President of Development, helps plan the organization's fund development strategy and assists with planning, goal setting, and budget development. 
• May function for the Vice President in his/her absence.
• Develops innovative recognition opportunities and materials and events for continuity and donor stewardship in conjunction with the Vice President of Development, and other Fund Development staff.
• Participates in managing the program budget and responsible for ensuring agency Finance protocols and polices are practiced.
• Assists with planning, coordinating, organizing and directing any Capital Campaign undertaken by Catholic Charities
• Maintain records of all donors related activities within the Raiser’s Edge database, and via hard copy files if required.
• Engage in prospect research to match prospects with programs and operations of Catholic Charities.
• Manage all processes and functions to run smoothly, manage a diverse team, resolve conflict, create meaningful goals, and provide guidance to achieve set departmental and strategic goals.
• Participate in and facilitate departmental and agency meetings.
• Participate in Development Committee Meetings.
• Assist with other duties as assigned. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree
• Five (5) years of experience in fund development, community relations, and/or sales/marketing
• Three (3) years in a management role
• Valid Texas Driver’s License

SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

• Working knowledge of fund development and fund raising, preferably in a non-profit social service-related setting.  
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, combined with experience in managing multiple, overlapping deadlines and duties.
• Software skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint, Raiser’s Edge and/or ability to become familiar with these tools.
• Ability to receive and maintain confidential information.
• Self-motivated.
• Ability to work well with others and possess a team spirit and attitude.
• Requires organization, versatility, imagination and a well-oriented individual.
• Demonstrate a high degree of interpersonal skills; must be able to work cooperatively with other individuals with clarity and fairness.

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Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer.  We actively foster an environment that is free of racism, discrimination, bias, and harassment where all individuals are treated with dignity, safety, and respect.  Successful applicant must comply with federal contractor vaccine mandate requirements.

The work you do will help us advocate for the vulnerable among us, a network of support services to people of all ages and from all walks of life and religious backgrounds.