Job Title: Major Gifts Officer 

Reports to: Chief Stewardship and Development Officer 

Location: Office of Stewardship and Development, Archdiocese of Philadelphia

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt 

EEOC Classification:

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and its entities are Roman Catholic religious organizations, and all employees are expected to respect and conduct themselves in accordance with the values, teachings, and morals of the Roman Catholic Church.

About the Church of Philadelphia The Church of Philadelphia serves a community of over 1.4 million Catholics across Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. The Office of Stewardship and Development is dedicated to fostering a culture of stewardship, promoting philanthropic support, and securing the financial resources necessary to sustain the mission and ministries of the Church. This position will support innovative initiatives to create encounters with Christ, foster joy and peace, and cultivate faith, hope, and love for all in our community. If you are seeking a challenging role with purpose, impact, and consequence, we invite you to join us.

Position Summary Reporting directly to the Chief Advancement Officer and in close collaboration with development leaders across other entities of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Director of Major Gifts has the primary responsibility to grow and manage a comprehensive major gift program to support the Church of Philadelphia. In addition, he or she is responsible for implementing a strategic development plan to secure financial contributions from individuals and foundations to support the mission and strategic priorities of the Church of Philadelphia. This position will identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift prospects, building deep relationships with donors while ensuring their philanthropic goals align with the  mission of the Church of Philadelphia. The Major Gifts Officer will collaborate closely with the Archbishop, development leaders, and parish stakeholders to cultivate, expand, and sustain donor relationships, advancing the mission and financial sustainability of the Archdiocese.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement major gift strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward relationships with key donors to secure significant financial support.
• Manage a portfolio of major donors, ensuring a personalized, mission-driven approach to engagement, stewardship, and retention.
• Collaborate with the Archbishop, development leaders, and parish stakeholders across the Archdiocese to identify donor prospects and align fundraising efforts to grow and sustain the Church of Philadelphia.
• Engage with parish and community leaders to identify potential major donors and foster a culture of philanthropy across the Archdiocese.
• Analyze donor data and trends using Raiser’s Edge to inform strategic fundraising decisions and optimize outcomes.
• Prepare and present compelling proposals to major donors, clearly articulating the impact of their contributions on the Archdiocese’s mission and ministries.
• Coordinate donor recognition events and activities to deepen donor commitment and foster meaningful connections.
• Partner with the Office of Stewardship and Development to integrate major gift strategies with broader fundraising objectives, including capital campaigns and special initiatives.
• Track and report donor interactions and progress toward fundraising goals using Raiser’s Edge donor management and CRM system.
• Stay informed about the Archdiocese’s programs, initiatives, and strategic priorities to effectively communicate opportunities for donor impact.
• Adhere to the highest ethical standards in fundraising, ensuring transparency, integrity, and alignment with the Archdiocese’s Catholic values.

Qualification:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., fundraising, development, communications, business, or theology)
• Minimum of 5 years of successful experience in major gift fundraising, ideally within a non-profit or educational institution.
• Demonstrated track record of securing significant 6 to 7 figure individual gifts.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build rapport with diverse individuals.
• Strong understanding of fundraising principles, including prospect research, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to deliver compelling presentations.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage a complex portfolio of donors and prospects.
• Highly motivated self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Strong analytical skills for critical thinking, problem-solving, and prioritizing tasks.
• Possess boundless energy and great enthusiasm for the work.
• Proficiency in donor database management systems such as Raiser’s Edge.
• Passion for the mission, values, and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Working Conditions

• Full-time position with flexible office hours and occasional evening or weekend events.
• Frequent travel within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for donor meetings and fundraising events.

Physical Requirements

• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle objects or controls, reach with arms, climb stairs, and talk or hear. Must occasionally lift or move office products and supplies up to 25 lbs.

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development.

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This job description outlines the essential responsibilities, qualifications, and skills required for the position. It is not exhaustive, and additional tasks may be assigned as needed. All offers of employment are conditioned upon clear criminal history background checks, PA Child Abuse History, PA Criminal History, FBI fingerprinting, and reference checks.