Director of Development, South Central Region

Association of Fundraising Professionals; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Extension Society seeks a Director of Development for the South Central Region with a primary focus on Texas and outreach to Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. The role is part of a ~20‑person Development Department and collaborates with senior administration to expand major gifts in the region.

Ideal candidates will have eight+ years of post‑college experience and at least six years in frontline major gifts fundraising, with a track record in five‑figure gifts and stewardship.

Qualifications

• Eight+ years of post‑college work experience with six+ years in frontline major gifts fundraising.
• Proven ability to manage a fundraising territory within a mid‑to‑large nonprofit.
• Ability to analyze donor data and develop strategic engagement plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead major gifts strategy and donor engagement for the South Central Region.
• Collaborate with the Development Department and Board of Governors to grow fundraising programs.
• Develop and implement donor engagement plans across Texas and neighboring states.
• Travel up to 40% to cultivate and solicit major gifts.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising

Strategic thinking

Donor engagement

Data analysis

Travel readiness

Job description

Director of Development, South Central Region
Catholic Extension Society
Location flexible within Texas

Catholic Extension Society works in solidarity with people to build up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities among the poor in the poorest regions of America. With the generosity of individual donors and local and national foundations, Catholic Extension Society raises funds to help these poor, forgotten, and often isolated communities to flourish.

Established in 1905, Catholic Extension Society is a papal society that is answering Pope Francis’ call to go out to America’s “peripheries.” Since its founding, the organization has distributed more than $1.3 billion in today’s dollars to dioceses that cannot support themselves. These areas are called “Extension dioceses,” and are reviewed and approved by Catholic Extension Society’s Board of Governors.

Catholic Extension Society seeks candidates for the role of Director of Development for the South Central Region with a focus primarily on Texas and an opportunity to engage donors in the adjoining states of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. The Director of Development will join an approximately 20-person Development Department, which includes several gift officers who focus on major giving and are each responsible for a geographic region, as well as a gift officer who focuses on planned giving. Ideally, the Director of Development for the South Central Region will be based in Dallas or Houston. However, Catholic Extension Society is interested in identifying the best candidate and will selectively consider other Texas locations for the Director of Development’s base of operations.

The Director of Development will work in collaboration with other colleagues in senior administration and in the Development Department to advance Catholic Extension Society’s major gifts presence in the South Central Region. The organization enjoys tremendous areas of existing support in Texas, as well as significant potential for new donor engagement in the area. Eight of the 15 Catholic dioceses in the state are Extension dioceses of Catholic Extension Society, providing many direct connections to local and regional philanthropic outcomes for prospective donors. Moreover, there is a prevailing sense that the prospective donor pool in Texas has a deep understanding of the Catholic faith and strong connection to Catholic Extension Society’s mission.

In addition to being a collaborative member of the Development Department, the Development Director must also exercise high levels of entrepreneurism and self‑direction in order to help further grow major gift activity within the South Central Region. The Director of Development will work collaboratively with members of Catholic Extension Society’s Board of Governors as well as with local, regional, and national Catholic institutions and other partners to leverage their respective networks and to devise new fundraising strategies and programs.

Candidates must be motivated by matters of faith, community, service, and justice. (Note: Catholic Extension Society is not an ideological platform or advocacy organization.)

While Catholic Extension Society will consider a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal candidate will have the following qualifications/experience:

• Commitment to and passion for the mission of Catholic Extension Society; ability to communicate and generate excitement about its mission, history, vision, programs, and fundamental strengths. A commitment to and understanding of the mission and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
• A minimum of eight years of post‑college work experience and at least six years of frontline major gifts fundraising experience, with proficiency working with gifts of five figures and above (or equivalent combinations) from both defined and undefined constituencies, including cultivation through closing and stewardship. Experience managing a fundraising territory for a mid‑to‑large‑size nonprofit organization is preferred.
• Must have demonstrated ability to think strategically about moving individuals across the spectrum of prospect development, culminating in significant solicitations appropriate to the donor and organizational priorities.
• Significant knowledge of the players, strategies, and trends in giving within the major philanthropic communities across Texas as well as significant, demonstrated fundraising success therein. The successful candidate must possess the gravitas and style compatible with the region and its philanthropic circles. The ability to penetrate these social networks seamlessly and with aplomb is a must.
• Must be able to extract and analyze data to make effective, efficient decisions about donor strategy and process. A working knowledge of modern data management practices and techniques, including database information systems, data modeling, and analysis is preferred.
• Experience identifying, nurturing, and motivating volunteers, and an appreciation for their role in building an effective fundraising network.
• Ability to travel up to 40% of the time.

Catholic Extension Society is an equal opportunity employer and consideration for employment is made without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to our human resources department at [e-mail].