Director - Donor Relations

ccchicagocareers; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago seeks a Director of Donor Relations to lead stewardship strategies, gratitude expressions, and impact communications that deepen donor loyalty and support. You will guide cross-functional collaboration across Advancement, Communications, and Finance to align goals and ensure donor trust.

The role emphasizes team leadership, data-driven improvement, and scalable donor recognition programs for major gifts and giving societies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree plus 5+ years of donor relations experience.
• MBA and 10+ years in non-profit/faith-based work preferred.
• Experience with donor communications and stewardship programs.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop an annual stewardship plan aligned with industry best practices and donor tiers.
• Plan and execute donor engagement events and invitations.
• Oversee acknowledgment and reporting, including major gifts and impact communications.
• Partner with Advancement, Communications, Finance, and other teams to ensure accurate stewardship.
• Lead and develop the Donor Relations team with clear goals and coaching.

Skills

Donor communications

Donor stewardship

Analytical skills

Written & verbal comms

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA (Master's in Business Administration)

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Job description

Job Description

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago partners with mission-driven people and organizations across Cook and Lake counties to witness a message of mercy and hope to a world in need by improving lives, nourishing spirits; strengthening and empowering people, families, and communities; and committing to being present to our times through the eyes of faith.

Director - Donor Relations

The Director of Donor Relations leads the strategy, execution, and continuous improvement of donor stewardship programs that strengthen donor engagement, loyalty, and philanthropic support for Catholic Charities.

Job Responsibilities

• Strategy and metrics: Implement an annual stewardship plan that reflects industry best practices and is tailored to Catholic Charities' donor community. Design strategies to express gratitude, communicate impact, and build donor loyalty, with increasing personalization for higher levels of giving. Continuously evaluate and refine the plan based on performance metrics and donor feedback. Collaborate with leadership and stakeholders to establish metrics and dashboards that measure the effectiveness and ROI of donor relations activities.
• Events: Plan and execute engagement events that foster a sense of community and connection among donors. Own the process of developing criteria for event invitation lists and stewardship communications and outreach to encourage attendance.
• Acknowledgment and reporting: Ensure timely and appropriate expressions of gratitude for all donor commitments, including personalized acknowledgments for major and principal gifts. Oversee the development of impact communications such as annual reports, newsletters, stewardship reports, videos, and donor events. Ensure that CCAC is reaching and stewarding donors and prospective donors appropriately and effectively. Create and manage donor recognition guidelines and giving societies that celebrate generosity and inspire continued support.
• Internal Partnerships: Partner with teams across Advancement, Communications, Finance, and other stakeholders to ensure stewardship efforts are informed, accurate, and aligned with organizational goals. Represent Donor Relations with professionalism in both internal and external settings, building trust and collaboration.
• Team Leadership: Lead and develop the Donor Relations team by setting clear goals and expectations, monitoring performance, and providing regular feedback and guidance. Inspire team excellence by modeling accountability, collaboration, and solution-oriented thinking, and ensure team members are supported, empowered, and high-performing while fostering a positive, purpose-driven culture. Develop staff capability through ongoing training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Cultivate a culture of continuous learning, feedback, and improvement to strengthen team engagement, retention, and impact.

Team Member Responsibilities

• Exhibit alignment with the team's clear goals that are mission-focused, grounded in Catholic Charities history, and tied to action.
• Contribute to a joy-filled culture built upon respect and inclusion, team pride, and community spirit.
• Collaborate effectively to support excellent process, accountability, and constructive conflict.
• Demonstrate a commitment to growth through learning, forgiveness, and reflection.

Living Our Values

• Courageous Compassion: Welcome and serve all with an open heart, empathic listening, and a commitment to radical hospitality.
• Solidarity: Embrace shared humanity by celebrating and giving voice to our differences and choosing the path of collaboration and inclusion.
• Faith-filled Hope and Joy: Uplift each other in times of darkness and celebrate together in times of light, leaning in with humility, humor, and hope.
• Meaningful and Measurable Impact: Meet human need with love, balance immediate action with lasting change, and act with accountability through dialogue, analyses, and reflection.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 5+ years relevant experience

Preferred Education & Experience

• Master's degree in Business Administration,
• 10+ years relevant experience
• Experience working in a faith-based or mission-driven non-profit organization

Minimum Qualifications & Skills

• Experience with donor communications in previous positions
• Knowledge of donor stewardship best practices
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Experience working within Raiser's Edge
• Experience with donor communications including annual reports, impact reports, and recognition programs

Physical Requirements

X Kneel and move from sitting, bending, kneeling, or standing multiple times a day

X Lift up to 25 pounds

X Push and pull up to 25 pounds

X Climb up and down three (3) or more flights of stairs

Additional Requirements

X Background check, including any program specific requirements