Donor Relations Officer

Job Description

The Donor Relations Officer identifies, cultivates, and solicits individuals and foundations to support The Cardinal Newman Society's work of promoting and defending faithful Catholic education by prayer and large donations and grants. This position can be remote or from the Society's offices in western Prince William County, Virginia. It requires frequent travel. This is a full-time salaried position at The Cardinal Newman Society under the direct supervision of the President.

The Cardinal Newman Society promotes and defends faithful Catholic education. As a Catholic organization recognized by the Church, The Cardinal Newman Society is bound to conform to Catholic teaching and practices in all its policies and activities. In addition, The Cardinal Newman Society's mission is evangelistic: we promote fidelity to Catholic teaching and practice, and we teach what the Catholic Church professes. All employees and volunteers associated with the Society are expected to respect and contribute to the organizational culture as expressed in the "Cardinal Newman Society Commitment to Fidelity and Excellence."

The Donor Relations Officer (DRO) has a vital role in the mission of The Cardinal Newman Society: identifying, cultivating, and soliciting support for the renewal of faithful Catholic education by prayer and large gifts and grants. The DRO strives to increase faithful Catholic education and thereby assist the Church's evangelization. The DRO promotes fidelity to the mission of Catholic education and to the Catholic faith, including teaching and defending the Church's doctrine on the human person, the family, morality, faith development, and education. The DRO also teaches the value of faithful Catholic education and the work of The Cardinal Newman Society. All activities are conducted in accord with Catholic principles.

Specific areas of responsibility include but are not limited to:

• Personally manage a portfolio of individual donors, foundations, and prospects with both capacity and motivation to donate $5,000 or more to The Cardinal Newman Society.
• Identify and qualify new prospects for $5,000-plus gifts and grants, to be added to the DRO portfolio with the President's review and approval.
• Develop and implement an annual plan including prayer and funding goals, cultivation activities, and solicitation strategies for each assigned donor, foundation, and prospect to obtain a gift of grant of $5,000 or more, with the President's review and approval.
• Manage all aspects of donor moves management with assigned donors, foundations, and prospects, from identification and cultivation to recognition and stewardship.
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Marketing and Communications to ensure persuasive and consistent messaging that clearly articulates the mission and vision of The Cardinal Newman Society and to prepare clear and effective materials for donors and prospects as needed.
• Hold at least 10 face-to-face virtual meetings and at least 30 phone calls each month with assigned donors, foundations, and prospects.
• Visit and hold at least 24 in-person meetings every calendar quarter with assigned donors, foundations, and prospects.
• Implement cost-effective ways of completing required travel in order to maximize time spent with donors.
• Plan and implement small special events for donors, foundation leaders, and prospects and participate in occasional events with donors, foundation leaders, and prospects in attendance, including speaking at such events.
• Listen and strive to attend to the needs and interests of assigned donors, foundations, and prospects as related to the mission of The Cardinal Newman Society-including prayer, receiving suggestions, and participating in the Society's efforts-so that they are truly partners in the planning and work of the Society.
• Enthusiastically and persuasively promote faithful Catholic education, the work of The Cardinal Newman Society, prayer for Catholic education and the Society's work and staff, devotion to St. John Henry Newman, and the teachings and practices of the Catholic faith and show a positive and engaging demeanor when communicating with others.
• Enter timely and thorough contact reports, personal details, and biographical information and ensure accurate flags and communication preferences for assigned donors, foundations, and prospects in the Society's database system.
• Promptly and gratefully acknowledge gifts and grants received from assigned donors, foundations, and prospects, beyond the Society's gift fulfillment procedures.
• Retain at least 90 percent of assigned donors and foundations each year.
• Meet annual prayer and fundraising objectives approved by the President and increase total annual gifts and grants from assigned donors, foundations, and prospects by at least five percent over the prior year's giving.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to report and improve performance.
• Meet weekly with the President to report on activities and progress toward objectives, providing timely and accurate data.

General Duties
• Respect and contribute to the organizational culture as expressed in "Cardinal Newman Society Commitment to Fidelity and Excellence."
• Demonstrate commitment to confidentiality.
• Witness to Catholic moral teaching both during and outside of work activities.
• Adhere to the highest ethical standards of fundraising and employment.
• Remain competent and current in fundraising skills and strategies through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, and attending training and/or courses.
• Participate in staff meetings to plan and coordinate activities that promote and defend faithful Catholic education.
• Pray for Catholic education and the work of The Cardinal Newman Society and participate in staff prayer.
• Advocate faithful Catholic education and fidelity to Catholic teaching.

Qualifications for this position include:
• Dedication to the mission and ideals of The Cardinal Newman Society, including the "Commitment to Fidelity and Excellence."
• A practicing and faithful Catholic who is committed to Catholic tradition, teachings, and education.
• A minimum of five years professional fundraising or related experience, preferably in a Catholic and/or education environment.
• Proven experience in major gift fundraising.
• Experience with developing and maintaining productive working relationships with donors, clients and co-workers.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work as a leader and as part of a team.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent donor relations and management skills.
• Proficient use of Windows-based office computer software and donor relation database systems. High-level proficiency with Microsoft 365 office programs.
• Willingness and availability to travel frequently for donor meetings.

To apply, please submit cover letter and resume to preilly@cardinalnewmansociety.org.

About the Employer

Founded in 1993, the mission of The Cardinal Newman Society is to promote and defend faithful Catholic education. The Society is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt, nonprofit organization.