Job Description
MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER
Reports To: Director of Development
Department: Development
Location: Catholic Answers - Remote temporarily; relocation to Columbus, Ohio, is required for an in-office position within two years
Status: Full-time, Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY
Catholic Answers is seeking a Major Gifts Officer to join our Development team. The Major Gifts Officer will cultivate, steward, and solicit a portfolio of 100-150 major donors and prospects, building strong, mission-driven relationships that inspire transformative philanthropy.
This position will focus on high-capacity and highly engaged donors within the assigned portfolio. The Major Gifts Officer will work closely with the Director of Development, CEO, and colleagues in Mid-Level Giving, Direct Response, and Marketing to provide thoughtful stewardship, strategic donor engagement, and effective pipeline movement.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Donor Portfolio Management
- Manage a carefully selected portfolio of 100-150 donors and prospects.
- Develop and execute individualized moves management plans.
- Document all donor activity in Salesforce/Momentum.
- Conduct 12-15 quality touches per donor each year, including calls, emails, personal notes, meetings, and visits.
- Provide one to two meaningful touchpoints per donor each month, such as thank-you notes, impact updates, spiritual reflections, or holiday cards.
- Make at least one personal ask per donor each year, excluding mass solicitations.
- Complete at least three personal calls per donor annually.
- Thank donors for every gift of $250 or more and thank recurring donors at least quarterly.
Donor Meetings and Visits
- Complete a minimum of 75 one-on-one donor visits annually.
- Invite every donor in the portfolio to a personal meeting, either in person or virtually, at least once each year unless the donor has opted out.
- Conduct at least 300 donor calls annually.
- Document all meetings and calls in the CRM with appropriate notes.
- Event-based donor interactions, including Catholic Answers Conferences, Vineyard Partner gatherings, pilgrimages, and cruises, may qualify as visits when development-focused. These interactions should not exceed 25 percent of annual visit goals unless approved by the Director of Development.
Stewardship and Cultivation
- Provide timely follow-up on donor commitments and promised actions.
- Share impact updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and stories about the work of Catholic Answers.
- Engage donors through Catholic Answers events, private webinars, apologist office hours, and spiritual outreach opportunities.
- Partner with Mid-Level Gift Officers to identify and transition qualified donors into major gift portfolios.
Data Management and Reporting
- Record all donor activity and relevant insights in the CRM.
- Keep Donor Engagement Plans current.
- Track and report donor movement across programs and the value represented.
- Ensure that transitions between donor levels are properly documented.
Collaboration and Events
- Participate in team meetings and collaborate with Development colleagues on events, campaigns, and strategic planning.
- Contribute to the continued development and refinement of Catholic Answers' Mid-Level and Major Gifts programs.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in fundraising, communications, sales, relationship management, or a related field.
- At least five years of fundraising, sales, or relationship management experience, with a demonstrated record of closing major gifts of $5,000 or more.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust and engage donors on a personal and spiritual level.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage a large portfolio effectively.
- Willingness to travel approximately 40-50 percent of the time.
- Proficiency with CRM systems, preferably Salesforce, as well as Microsoft Office and donor research tools.
- Practicing Catholic in full communion with the Church.
- Passion for the mission of Catholic Answers and comfort discussing the Catholic faith.
KEY ATTRIBUTES
- Relationship builder with a donor-first mindset.
- Attentive to detail and deadlines.
- Adaptable, self-motivated, and proactive.
- Strong sense of discretion and professionalism.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit a cover letter and resume in Word or PDF format to [REMOVED - SEE ORIGINAL LISTING]
Job Tags
Full time, Work at office, Remote work, Relocation