Major Gifts Officer

The Major Gifts Officer focuses on key fundraising efforts that align with our mission, vision, and values. This position is responsible for securing major philanthropic support for annual, campaign, special restricted, and endowment fundraising opportunities of Catholic Charities West Michigan (CCWM). Key responsibilities include the identification, engagement, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects capable of making gifts of $10,000 and more, with increased emphasis and activity cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts in range of $10,000-$100,000.

This position plays a pivotal role in growing CCWM’s family of donors by identifying potential major gifts and helping to establish a strong pipeline now and for future fundraising opportunities. This position is expected to raise at least $750,000 annually in unrestricted, restricted, and planned gifts and meet metrics for donor contacts and proposals, with a focus on gifts at $10,000 and higher.

Salary Range: $75,000.00-$86,625.00

Flexible work schedule after an initial training period that includes working in the office and out of the office.

Are you passionate about discovering new ways to help empower people and make a difference in their lives?

If you’ve got what it takes to support us in our mission to provide help and create hope through innovative, collaborative, and diverse programs within the community, then we’ve got the right opportunity for you.

About Catholic Charities West Michigan

Catholic Charities West Michigan (CCWM) is a community-based agency providing programs in Western Michigan and offering a variety of services in family preservation, behavioral health, child welfare, and community outreach.

• CCWM is committed to ensuring a diverse workforce and a work environment whereby all staff are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.
• CCWM encourages persons of diverse backgrounds and faiths to apply for employment.

• Identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards major donors for CCWM.
• Actively works a donor portfolio of 125+ individuals capable of contributing to the collective annual fundraising goals through meaningful connections and relationships through gift solicitation and stewardship.
• Develops and implements strategies to secure gifts of $10,000+ in support of annual operations, special projects, campaign projects, and for the endowment.
• Committed to meeting with donors and has strategic contact between 10-15 prospects/suspects per month with a balanced portfolio that identifies, qualifies, cultivates, and stewards donors and donor prospects.
• Leads planned giving program strategy and communication in collaboration with Director of Development and Community Outreach.
• Builds and maintains an active suspect and prospect pool as defined by the CEO, Board of Directors, and Director of Development and Community Outreach.
• Manages donor software to provide accurate, real-time donor and prospect information to the Agency.
• Provides and reports on outcome metrics to the CEO and Director of Development and Community Outreach.
• Drives for Agency business.
• Performs other special assignments at supervisor’s request.

• Action and detail-oriented, skilled at inspiring, influencing, and engaging people with a track record of building donor relationships, and closing gifts of $10,000 and higher.
• Demonstrated ability to strategize, develop, and implement fundraising plans for donors.
• Ability to conceive and implement creative donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Continual learner with a sufficient understanding of and a willingness to work towards an understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and Catholic moral doctrine.
• Ability to solve unstructured problems and use analytical skills in the evaluation and interpretation of data.
• Knowledge of computer systems and related software (Microsoft Word and Excel).
• Ability to prepare and analyze reports, make presentations, and maintain records.
• Ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment.
• Ability to relate to diverse populations and cultures while communicating with clients and the public in a courteous and effective manner.
• Ability to interact with the media.
• This position requires reliable transportation. 
• Must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record with zero work restrictions.
• Must have personal auto insurance as required by law with minimum bodily injury coverage limits of $250,000 per person/$500,000 per incident or $500,000 combined.
• Must be willing to work irregular hours including evenings, holidays, and weekends.
• Must submit to agency approved background checks.

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in nonprofit public administration, business administration, marketing, or a related field is required.
• A master’s degree is preferred.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of prior work donor direct experience with a proven track record of securing major gifts of $10,000+ from individual donors is required.
• A minimum of 1 year of prior work experience working in the nonprofit social service sector and demonstrated ability of Catholic giving community is required.
• A minimum of 1 year of prior campaign work experience is preferred.

Professional Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

None required

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities of direct reports, however does have processes and systems supervisory responsibilities.

Our Mission

Inspired by the Church's social teachings, Catholic Charities West Michigan fosters individuals and families to flourish by providing help and creating hope.

Our Vision

Catholic Charities West Michigan is called to create a just and compassionate community where all people can achieve their divine purpose.

Our Values

• Sanctity of All Life
• Compassion
• Integrity
• Respect
• Equity

CCWM is an equal opportunity employer, subject to all federal and state laws as applicable to a religious Agency.