What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Major Gifts position at Archdiocese of Detroit?
Director of Major Gifts
Summary/objective
The Director of Major Gifts (DMG) is a self-driven, goal oriented, front-line fundraiser responsible for cultivating and soliciting a robust portfolio of Major and Planned Gifts donors. This role conducts prospect identification, cultivation, one-on-one solicitation, and stewardship to individuals capable of making major gifts ($25,000 ) to further the mission of the Archdiocese of Detroit and Sacred Heart Major Seminary. The DMG will act as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of donors and will work in partnership with department staff to move the fundraising relationship forward, while securing support for a set of institution-wide priorities that include strategic initiatives. The DMG works collaboratively with and in support of volunteers, other development staff, and leaders to cultivate and solicit donors for institution-wide priorities.
Essential functions
- Acting as a major gift front line fundraiser, manage a portfolio of 150 active individuals through the process of identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship; utilize an entrepreneurial approach to acquire, renew, and upgrade donors, increasing major gift support year over year.
- Regularly evaluate major gift prospect portfolio, advance prospects through gift cycles, and solicit when appropriate, culminating in gifts in the five and six figure range, or higher.
- Actively research prospect lists and develop strategies to move donors from annual to major gifts.
- Collaborate with AOD and SHMS departments to create optimal cultivation and solicitation strategies to meet department fundraising goals, while matching the interests and objectives of prospects.
- Prepare timely written contact reports, proposals, gift illustrations, informational materials, and other materials to advance the cultivation and solicitation process. Track all donor interactions and research in database.
- Regularly collaborate with the Director of Mission Advancement and Chief Operations Officer on “big picture” thinking regarding the Individual Giving program, strategizing on new major donors and board prospects, planned giving approaches, and other large-scale initiatives.
- Achieve annual goals for prospect activity, volunteer commitments, and fundraising.
- Be a leader within the Development team and serve as a public facing representative at events and activities.
- Serve as principal fundraiser and stewardship officer for the Finance Council, Advancement Committees, and Board of Trustees, who are advocates and ambassadors of AOD and SHMS.
- Encourage donor’s ongoing support of the SHMS Annual Fund and Catholic Services Appeal.
- Attend Advancement, AOD, and SHMS events to build and maintain relationships with donors, prospects, and other possible philanthropic stakeholders.
- Other duties based on the needs of the Development Office may be assigned.
Supervisory responsibilities
n/a
Physical demands
Position requires the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work. May involve some lifting, carrying, pushing/or pulling of objects and materials (5-50 pounds). May involve extended periods of time standing or sitting at a keyboard or workstation. May involve repetitive motion (i.e., typing). May involve walking long distances. May require long periods of time speaking.
Travel required
Donor meetings and parish or school visits primarily within Southeast Michigan.
Required education and experience
- Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field and five years of successful fundraising experience, with proven success in closing five and six-figure gifts.
- Ability to understand the needs and interests of leadership and major gift donors to develop relationships between them and the institution
- Demonstrated leadership and the ability to successfully manage multi-functional or diverse areas
- Successful experience in making cold calls as well as developing cultivation and solicitation strategies
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated record of completing assignments
- Ability to work some evenings and weekends
- Proven success in working in a hybrid environment (on-site plus telecommuting)
Competencies
- Demonstrate and reflect an understanding of and commitment to the mission and core values of the Archdiocese of Detroit and Sacred Heart Major Seminary, both on campus and to the larger community.
- Demonstrates ability to plan, organize, and prioritize workload and job assignments.
- Ability to cold-call and provide outreach to new constituents.
- Seeks out efficiencies and demonstrates good use of available resources.
- Proactively responds to changes in workload prioritization and department needs.
- Able to work independently and as a team player to effectively fulfil a list of diverse projects
- Customer service and problem-solving expertise, with excellent verbal and written communication skills (in-person, phone, and email).
- Success in effectively learning and utilizing new software and web-based database tools.
- Refined analytical skills, with a focus on attention to detail.
- Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality handling highly sensitive material, such as protected PII (Personally Identifiable Information) and financial information.
Affirmative Action/EEO statement
The Archdiocese of Detroit is an equal opportunity employer and does not illegally discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, height, weight, genetic information, or marital or other legally protected status. The Archdiocese of Detroit is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity and encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities.
Other duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Salary : $25,000
