Major Gift Officer, Greater Chicago area (remote)

About CRS  

Founded in 1943, Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

 

Background
Working within the Leadership Giving team, Major Gifts Officers are an integral part of the Charitable Giving division, which aims to increase and diversify the agency’s resources by creating deep and meaningful relationships with donors and US constituents. The Major Gifts Officer will play a critical role in implementing the Charitable Giving Action Plan, while actively contributing to the Go FAR Leadership Giving Campaign, which seeks to raise $350 million to drive our impact like never before. This vision depends on RDDs working to connect donors, partners and the people we serve to create transformational change.

 

Job Description Summary
As a member of the Leadership Giving team, the Major Gifts Officer is a mission driven and experienced fundraiser with demonstrated success in securing major gifts of $25,000 and above from individual donors in support of CRS’ strategic program priorities.

Under the supervision of the Director of Development, the Officer partners with fundraising colleagues, Analytics staff, Donor Relations staff, Principal Gifts staff, the Sr. Director for Leadership Giving, the Director of Planned Giving, and the Director of Hispanic Development to develop and execute a customized/data informed engagement plan that leads donors to a broader understanding of CRS as part of a long-range resource mobilization strategy to increase major gift support from private donors.

The Officer works closely with the Office of the President, Executive Vice President for Charitable Giving, the Vice President for Leadership Giving, Sr. Director of Development, the Sr. Director of Leadership Giving and Overseas Operations and Mission and Mobilization staff as appropriate to achieve annual and multi-year revenue and non-revenue engagement goals. 

Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities
1. Secure leadership gifts at levels of $25,000 and above to meet annual individual and department revenue goals.

2. Build, manage and expand a portfolio of 70 to 80 leadership giving donors and prospects. Serve as the relationship manager and focal point for CRS communications with donors in portfolio, facilitating and guiding donor communications with other CRS stakeholders. 

 
3. Develop a holistic “One Agency” donor engagement strategy that advances donors’ relationship with CRS, the people, and the programs they support to promote greater philanthropic involvement. 

 
4. Commit to CRS Opportunities Management through the documentation of all substantive donor engagement in Clearview (database). Actively qualify new donors, ensure that donor interactions and strategies are complete and up to date, and participate in periodic portfolio reviews to ensure a robust and diverse pipeline and portfolio.

5. In collaboration with Donor Relations and other Charitable Giving colleagues, develop intentional opportunities that deepen donors’ engagement according to their interests, giving history, and Agency strategic priorities.

6. In collaboration with the Sr. Director for Leadership Giving, identify volunteer leadership for CRS Boards and Go Far Campaign committees.

7. Perform related activities as required. Qualifications

Basic Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization required. Master's degree preferred

• Three to eight years of demonstrated experience in prospect management, and in developing and executing prospect strategies that lead to successful gift solicitations of $25,000 or more required

• Demonstrated success in cultivating and soliciting gifts at the seven- and eight-figure level, particularly those that require blended gift strategies preferred

• Fluency in conversational Spanish a plus

• Previous campaign fundraising experience preferred

• Understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and experiential knowledge of the fundraising context in the Greater Chicago area preferred

• Experiential knowledge of international programs preferred

 

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Elevated level of emotional intelligence (curiosity, active listening, servant leadership)

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with an attention to detail

• Ability to develop and sustain relationships with a wide range of people

• Proven track record of accomplishment in fundraising, including successful solicitation and closing of major gifts

• Demonstrated knowledge of the philanthropic culture and community in the greater Chicago area

• Team player who can also work independently in a complex environment

• Knowledge of Clearview and Opportunities Management desirable

• Ability to travel domestically for face-to-face visits as well as periodic overseas trips with donors (typically once every 12 to 24 months) when the CRS Executive Office deems it appropriate

• Able to participate in evening and weekend activities as appropriate

 

 

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)   

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

 

Benefits of working at CRS

 

• Work for a mission driven organization that is committed to saving, protecting and transforming lives in need in more than 100 countries.

 

• Join an organization that celebrates and promotes diversity, and is committed to the ongoing work of racial equity.

 

• Great benefit choices to you and your family are just one of the many ways Catholic Relief Services supports the physical, financial, and emotional well-being of the people who make our organization successful; in addition, CRS has implemented newly-created COVID-related benefits and support services to help our staff through this difficult period.

 

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.   

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.   

  

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.  

  

EOE/M/F/D/V - CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. (For all US and International positions)