Fund Development | Major Gifts Officer

at  Catholic Charities Of The Archdiocese

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 Major Gifts Officer is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors to secure contributions of $25,000 and above. This position plays a critical role in the organization’s fundraising efforts by building strong, lasting relationships with donors and ensuring that their contributions are aligned with the mission and strategic goals of Catholic Charities. The Major Gifts Officer will collaborate with senior leadership, the development team to achieve fundraising targets and expand the organizations major donor base.

TheExpertiseWe’re Looking For

• Bachelors degree in Business, Communications, or Marketing
• Three (3) years of experience in fund development, grant writing, and/or sales/marketing
• Valid Texas Drivers License

TheSkills and AssetsYou Bring, and More

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build strong, lasting relationships with donors.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in using donor management software (e.g., Raisers Edge, Salesforce) and data analysis tools.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, with the ability to create compelling proposals and reports.
• Passionate about Catholic Charities mission and values, with a deep commitment to making a positive impact.
• Results-oriented, with a strong focus on achieving fundraising goals and driving donor engagement.
• High ethical standards, integrity, and professionalism.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

What you Deliver

• Conduct comprehensive research to identify prospective major gift donors, focusing on individuals, corporations, and foundations with the capacity to give $25,000 or more.
• Develop and maintain a targeted portfolio of major gift prospects, regularly updating profiles based on giving history, philanthropic interests, and capacity.
• Use various tools and resources, including donor databases, wealth screening services, and personal networks, to gather and analyze information on potential donors.
• Develop personalized cultivation strategies for each prospect, aligning the agencys needs with the donors philanthropic goals.
• Engage potential donors through one-on-one meetings, events, personalized communication, and site visits to the organizations programs.
• Foster strong, enduring relationships with donors by keeping them informed about the impact of their gifts and involving them in the organizations mission and vision.
• Work closely with board members, senior leadership, and other influencers to leverage their networks in cultivating major gifts.
• Prepare and present compelling proposals, tailored to the interests and priorities of major gift prospects, to secure donations of $25,000 or more.
• Lead or support solicitation meetings, ensuring that all aspects of the asktiming, approach, and participantsare well-coordinated.
• Develop and implement strategies for specific campaigns, initiatives, or special projects that require major gift support.
• Collaborate with the Vice President Development and Stewardship to set and achieve annual and multi-year fundraising goals for major gifts.
• Ensure all solicitation efforts are tracked, monitored, and adjusted based on donor responses and feedback.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive stewardship plan to ensure that major donors feel valued and appreciated.
• Provide regular updates to donors on the impact of their contributions, including written reports, program updates, and invitations to exclusive events.
• Coordinate donor recognition activities, such as naming opportunities, public acknowledgments, and personalized thank-you notes from leadership.
• Plan and execute donor recognition events, ensuring that major donors receive appropriate acknowledgment and appreciation.
• Collaborate with the events team to design and execute donor cultivation and stewardship events, such as galas, receptions, and small gatherings.
• Ensure that events are aligned with the interests of major donors and provide meaningful opportunities for engagement with the Agencys leadership and mission. Participate in planning and execution of special campaigns or initiatives that include a significant major gifts component.
• Serve as a key member of the development team, contributing to the overall fundraising strategy and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. Mentor and support other development staff in identifying and cultivating major gift prospects. Work closely with program staff to understand the organizations funding needs and translate these into compelling cases for support.
• Collaborate with the communications team to ensure that all donor materials, including proposals, reports, and event invitations, are of the highest quality and aligned with the organizations brand.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all donor interactions, proposals, and gifts in the Agencys donor database. Prepare detailed reports on progress toward major gift fundraising goals, including pipeline activity, solicitation outcomes, and stewardship efforts. Analyze data to identify trends, inform strategies, and improve the effectiveness of the major gifts program.
• Ensure compliance with all legal and ethical standards in fundraising, including donor confidentiality and gift acceptance policies.

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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

Please refer the Job description for details