Donor Relations Associate

Job Description

Cross Catholic Outreach is a Catholic ministry with an ecumenical staff of Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox believers working in unity to provide food, water, housing, education, orphan support, medical care, micro-enterprise, and disaster relief, and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ to the poorest of the poor in more than 30 countries around the world. We believe strongly in unifying Christians in this mission of mercy, and we believe that creating a welcoming work environment for all Christian faiths is essential to achieving our ministry goals.

Best Christian Workplace Certified 2026

Position Title: Donor Relations Associate Department: Major Donors
Reports to: Leadership Annual Giving Supervisor Position Location: (In-Office, Remote, Hybrid)
Position Type: Exempt or Hourly (As determined by Human Resources)

Position Summary:
The Donor Relations Associate supports the engagement, retention, and stewardship of donors in Cross Catholic Outreach's Leadership Annual Giving Program. This role focuses on building and strengthening relationships, especially with donors giving $500 to $5,000 annually. Responsibilities include managing a large donor portfolio through gratitude and spiritual outreach, responding to donor communications, and helping donors feel connected, valued, and confident that their gifts make a meaningful impact.
Educational or Certification Requirements:
• A minimum of an Associate's Degree is required.
• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Business, Nonprofit Management, Marketing, or a related field preferred.

Experience Requirements:
• 1-2 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, customer relationship management, or nonprofit development preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, & Character Required:
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively with donors and team members
• Sensitivity to Christian-based fundraising
• Commitment to professional ethics and handling highly confidential information with integrity
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to manage high-volume outreach with consistency and personalization
• Proficiency in CRM systems
• Analytical skills to evaluate donor data and identify upgrade opportunities
• Ability to collaborate across development and advancement teams
• This role requires the ability to perform standard office functions, including prolonged sitting, standing, and computer use. Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving materials weighing up to 20 pounds may be required.
• This position may require occasional domestic and/or international travel to attend meetings, trainings, conferences, or organizational events. Travel may be conducted by airplane, automobile, bus, or other reasonable means. Travel frequency is expected to be limited and scheduled in advance when possible.

Duties:
• Personally thank donors for all gifts over $1,000 within the assigned portfolio
• Serve as the primary point of contact for donor inquiries (phone and email), responding promptly and professionally
• Ensure timely, personalized, and mission-aligned donor communication
• Maintain accurate records of all donor interactions
• Collaborate on quarterly spiritual engagement communications for emailable LM donors
• Conduct outreach to non-emailable donors, including collecting prayer intentions (goal: 1,200 annually)
• Foster meaningful spiritual connection between donors and CCO's mission
• Analyze donor data to identify opportunities for increased engagement or upgraded giving
• Recommend donors for advanced cultivation strategies
• Track engagement metrics and report on donor movement and upgrade potential
• This role requires the ability to perform standard office functions, including prolonged sitting, standing, and computer use. Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving materials weighing up to 20 pounds may be required. OR
• This position may require occasional domestic and/or international travel to attend meetings, trainings, conferences, or organizational events. Travel may be conducted by airplane, automobile, bus, or other reasonable means. Travel frequency is expected to be limited and scheduled
• Other duties as assigned.

About the Employer

We mobilize the global Catholic Church to transform the poor and their communities materially and spiritually for the glory of Jesus Christ.

Our
Vision
All Catholics around the world united in overcoming material and spiritual poverty