Director of Major Gifts

Job Description

Director of Major Gifts
Remote (U.S.-based) | Travel Required (25-40%)

About the National Eucharistic Congress
The National Eucharistic Congress is a movement within the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to renewing the Church through a deeper encounter with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
Following the historic 2024 Congress and ongoing National Eucharistic Revival, the NEC is building toward its next Congress in 2029-expanding a national movement of evangelization, formation, and mission.

We are seeking a Director of Major Gifts to help advance this mission by building strong donor relationships and securing transformational financial support.

Position Summary
The Director of Major Gifts is a frontline fundraiser responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors and sponsors nationwide.

This role manages a portfolio of 100-150 prospects and is accountable for driving measurable growth in:
Total number of donors and sponsors
Average gift size
Donor retention and long-term engagement

Success in this role is measured by dollars raised, the strength of the donor pipeline, and the ability to build meaningful, mission-driven relationships.

This position requires strategic thinking, disciplined execution, and relational effectiveness, with a clear focus on generating financial support to advance the NEC's mission.

Key Responsibilities
Major Gift Fundraising (75%)
Manage and grow a portfolio of 100-150 qualified donor and sponsor prospects
Develop and execute individualized strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors
Conduct consistent outreach (meetings, calls, emails, handwritten notes) with a target of 12-15 meaningful donor touches per week
Lead all aspects of the gift cycle, including engagement, proposal development, and closing
Present compelling, mission-aligned funding opportunities
Partner with NEC leadership, Board Members, and clergy to engage high-capacity donors
Track all activity and next steps in CRM

Pipeline Development (10%)
Build and maintain a strong pipeline across all stages of giving
Identify and qualify new prospects through research, referrals, and network development
Provide accurate pipeline forecasting and reporting

Collaboration and Events (15%)
Partner with internal teams to align messaging and funding priorities
Support donor events, pilgrimages, and Congress-related initiatives
Collaborate with external partners and stakeholders to expand donor engagement

Qualifications
Proven ability to secure five- and six-figure gifts and/or sponsorships
Experience managing a portfolio of donor relationships and closing complex gifts
Strong communication and relationship-building skills
Ability to operate in a metrics-driven, accountable environment
Experience using CRM systems and donor data to drive strategy
Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities

Who You Are
A self-starter with a strong sense of urgency and ownership
Comfortable making direct and compelling financial asks
Disciplined, goal-oriented, and accountable for results
Relational and able to build trust quickly
Passionate about the mission of the Church and the work of the NEC

Compensation & Benefits
Competitive base salary
Benefits package
Opportunity for a discretionary performance bonus

To Apply
Please submit your resume and a brief note outlining your interest in the role and experience in major gift fundraising, along with your compensation expectations (base salary and bonus).

About the Employer

The National Eucharistic Congress exists to draw everyone to the Eucharistic Heart of the Lord, so that through encounter with Christ in the Eucharist they may enter into heart-to-heart communion with Him, be strengthened and healed, discover who they are and who they are called to become, and be sent forth to renew their families, communities, and the nation.

This mission is lived through four interrelated dimensions: Eucharistic Encounter, Eucharistic Identity, Eucharistic Life, and Eucharistic Mission.