Director of Donor Relations

Job Description

The Director of Donor Relations serves as a passionate ambassador for the Passionists of Holy Cross Province and the worldwide Congregation, advancing its mission, values and vision through meaningful engagement with donors, alumni and the broader community. This individual will cultivate strong relationships and inspire philanthropic support through strategic communication, personalized outreach and innovative fundraising initiatives.

As team leader for the Office of Donor Relations, the Director must be able to articulate the Passionists' vision for the future clearly. Additionally, the Director must demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity in interactions with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

The Director will lead and grow major and planned giving efforts, securing transformative contributions through estate gifts, charitable gift annuities, life insurance, stock, donor-advised funds (DAFs) and retirement assets, including IRAs. They will also be responsible for strengthening and expanding the Province's sustainer program.

Additionally, as the fundraising lead for Holy Cross Province, the Director will oversee a team of donor relations professionals, providing mentorship, strategic direction, and leadership to ensure a mission-driven and collaborative approach to relationship building. The Director will also mentor development professionals from Holy Cross Province and St. Paul Province, fostering a shared commitment to advancing Passionist ministries through effective and ethical fundraising.

Director of Donor Relations - Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Management
• Lead, inspire and manage a team of seven donor relations professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities for team members, ensuring continued growth, engagement, and effectiveness.
• Set clear goals, expectations, and performance metrics to guide the team in achieving strategic fundraising objectives.
• Cultivate a mission-driven, donor-centered approach to philanthropy that aligns with the values of the Passionists.
• Mentor development professionals from Holy Cross Province and St. Paul Province, strengthening fundraising capacity and collaboration across both regions.
• Foster teamwork, innovation, and the sharing of best practices across donor relations and fundraising efforts.
Strategic Donor Engagement & Relationship Management
• Cultivate, solicit and steward major donors and planned giving prospects, ensuring meaningful engagement and long-term support.
• Build deep, mission-driven relationships with donors, alumni and benefactors to inspire investment in the Passionists' ministries.
• Maintain regular, personalized communication through print, digital, audiovisual and in-person, ensuring the Passionists' message is conveyed with authenticity, transparency and impact.
• Represent the Passionists at events and donor gatherings, serving as a visible and knowledgeable advocate for the mission.
Major & Planned Giving Leadership
• Develop and implement a comprehensive planned giving strategy to grow legacy contributions, including estate gifts, annuities, life insurance, stock donations, DAFs, and retirement assets (IRAs).
• Expand and strengthen the Province's sustainer program, ensuring consistent and growing support from recurring donors.
• Collaborate with financial and legal advisors, as well as donors and their families, to facilitate planned giving discussions and maximize impact.

Fundraising Strategy & Communications
• Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive fundraising strategy that strengthens direct mail, digital marketing and social media engagement to enhance donor outreach.
• Partner with Province leadership and communications teams to craft inspiring narratives that connect donors to the Passionists' work.
• Create compelling fundraising appeals, impact reports, donor letters, emails and annual reports, ensuring all communications align with the Passionists' mission and effectively engage supporters.
Data-Driven Fundraising & Accountability
• Utilize donor analytics and moves management strategies to track engagement, forecast giving trends, and optimize fundraising effectiveness.
• Ensure proper record-keeping and donor stewardship through the effective use of the Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) system, specifically Aegis.
• Provide progress reports to leadership, assessing key fundraising metrics and opportunities for growth.
Additional Responsibilities
• Represent the Passionists of Holy Cross Province at regional and national gatherings, such as TNPA, to strengthen relationships with supporters and potential partners.
• Take the lead in driving special fundraising initiatives, including capital campaigns and mission-driven projects, ensuring successful execution and alignment with the organization's goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission and advancement goals of Holy Cross Province.

Qualifications:
• A bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience is desired.
• Minimum of five years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, sales, or marketing/communications, with a strong emphasis on relationship-building.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate the Passionists' mission, impact, and the vital role of donors in advancing this work.
• Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, including direct experience with face-to-face gift solicitation.
• Strategic leadership and team management experience, with a demonstrated ability to guide, mentor, and inspire teams in a collaborative environment.
• Deep understanding of donor engagement strategies, including major and planned gifts, sustainer programs, and moves management.
• Self-motivated and adaptable team leader with a proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to excellence.
• Knowledge of faith-based fundraising, preferably within a Catholic context, with an appreciation for Church traditions and religious life.
• Proficiency with Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) systems, such as Aegis or Raiser's Edge.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly nationwide to visit with donors.
• Engaging, warm, and confident presence, with a natural ability to build relationships and inspire generosity.

Working Conditions:
The Province Offices is currently operating under a hybrid schedule. The Donor Relations Team is in the office on Mondays and Wednesdays and works remotely on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The Passionist Province Offices are situated in a safe and accessible neighborhood in Park Ridge, Illinois.

Compensation:
Salary will be commensurate with experience. The Passionists offer a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work-life balance and professional development.

To Apply
Please submit a resume and cover letter detailing your interest about the position to donordirector@passionist.org. Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

About the Employer

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province are a Roman Catholic religious order of priests and brothers founded by St. Paul of the Cross, dedicated to keeping alive the memory of Christ's Passion through preaching, compassion and solidarity with the suffering. Our mission reaches across pastoral ministries, retreats, spiritual direction, social justice and care for creation. Rooted in community life and contemplative prayer, we serve with humility, simplicity and a profound sense of hope. See more at www.passionist.org.