Director of Advancement (Major Gifts)

Job Description

Director of Advancement (Major Gifts)
St. John Henry Newman Catholic Church (Newman Parish) is hiring a Director of Advancement for Major Gifts. Established in 1963, Newman is a vibrant Catholic parish located adjacent to the University of Missouri (MU) campus. Newman serves 900 resident parishioner households with a full range of faith formation programs including a highly active Campus Ministry program that serves approximately 1,000 students at MU, Stephens College, and Columbia College, all located in Columbia, Missouri. Newman Parish is looking for someone who is cheerful, enthusiastic, energetic, self-motivated, confident in their ability to ask for financial support and close philanthropic gifts, with a passion for building and maintaining strong relationships with both student and resident parishioners that will bear fruit in the form of philanthropic gifts to Newman and Newman's Campus Ministry.

Summary: The Director of Advancement for Major Gifts reports directly to the Pastor and works cooperatively with the Director of Advancement for Gifts and Administration. This position is responsible for leading the major gifts program, cultivating transformational philanthropic relationships, and securing significant financial resources to advance the mission of the Parish. This position works closely with the Director of Advancement for Gifts and Administration to ensure alignment between major gifts strategy and the broader development program.

Primary responsibilities and relationships are outlined below. Duties and Responsibilities Major Gifts Strategy & Portfolio Management
Develop and implement a comprehensive major gifts strategy focused on gifts of $10,000+ or as determined by the Pastor.
Research, build, manage, and actively steward a growing portfolio of major gift prospects and benefactors.
Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and close major and principal gifts in support of Parish priorities.
Partner with the Director of Advancement for Gifts and Administration and the Pastor to align fundraising priorities with vision, mission, and strategic initiatives.

Donor Engagement & Travel
Conduct a minimum of 10-15 in-person visits per month with major gift prospects and benefactors.
Travel regularly (regionally and nationally) to cultivate and solicit benefactors and deepen relationships.
Develop personalized cultivation and solicitation strategies for each assigned prospect.

Leadership & Collaboration
Collaborate closely with the Director of Advancement for Gifts and Administration to ensure seamless integration between major gifts and annual fund efforts.
Assist in supporting clergy, staff, and key volunteers in major gift cultivation and solicitation.
Participate in strategic planning related to advancement, campaign readiness, and long-term growth.

Stewardship & Donor Relations
Ensure high-quality, personalized stewardship for major benefactors, including impact reporting and ongoing communication. Arrange and facilitate clergy-donor meetings.
Oversee with the Director of Advancement for Gifts and Administration, the development of proposals, case statements, and major gift materials.
Maintain detailed and accurate donor records, contact reports, and pipeline activity.

Campaigns & Special Initiatives
Provide leadership for endowment efforts, other special funding initiatives, and capital campaigns as assigned by the Pastor.
Assist in identifying leadership gift opportunities and securing early/anchor gifts for major initiatives.
Reporting & Accountability
Establish measurable goals for visits, solicitations, and dollars raised.
Provide regular reports to the Director and Pastor on pipeline activity, forecasts, and results.
Utilize CRM systems effectively to track engagement and progress.

Additional Duties
Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director and Pastor to advance the overall fundraising mission of the organization.

Qualifications
A practicing and faithful Catholic in good standing, who loves the Church and sees advancement work as a vital ministry in the life of Catholic campus outreach.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust and foster long-term relationships with benefactors.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to make compelling cases for support.
Bachelor's degree preferred but not required.
Minimum of 5+ years of successful major gifts fundraising experience, with a demonstrated track record of closing five- and six-figure plus gifts.
Willingness and ability to travel frequently and work flexible hours, including evenings and occasional weekends.
Strategic thinker with the ability to manage a portfolio and move prospects through the giving cycle.
High level of discretion, professionalism, and integrity.
Familiarity with CRM systems and donor management best practices.

Compensation
Salary commensurate with experience/education and with Church and nonprofits
Includes benefits and retirement

Please submit cover letter, resume, and three current professional references to Fr. Dan Merz at frdan@comonewman.org.

About the Employer

The St. John Henry Newman Catholic Church is a vibrant Catholic parish located adjacent to the University of Missouri (MU) campus. Newman serves 850 resident parishioner households with a full range of faith formation programs including a highly active Campus Ministry program that serves approximately 1,000 students at MU, Stephens College and Columbia College, all located in Columbia, Missouri.

Our mission is:
With the help of Grace, to form a Catholic community of faith who cultivates beauty, truth, goodness, communion, and justice.