Lead Gifts Manager

Archdiocese of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive total rewards package

Competitive compensation and benefit programs

Job summary

The Archdiocese of Chicago is seeking a Manager, Lead Gifts to join the team in engaging with lead gift donors and helping reach fundraising goals. Responsibilities include supporting the Archbishop’s efforts, coordinating donor activities, and maintaining organization within the team.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree, 5+ years of fundraising experience, and strong communication skills, contributing to the Archdiocese's mission while promoting a professional demeanor.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of institutional fundraising experience or related background.
• Professional demeanor and high level of confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, track, and engage with lead gift donors.
• Support the Archbishop’s lead gift efforts and lead operations meetings.
• Prepare communications and ensure gifts are tracked correctly.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Organization skills

Project management skills

Presentation skills

Time management capabilities

Proficiency in computer technology

Empathy with the Catholic Church ethos

Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

Master’s degree or CFRE preferred

Job description

The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 216 parishes in Cook County and Lake County, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 13,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charites, the region's largest nonprofit social service agency. The Archdiocese also has one of the country's largest seminaries. The Archdiocese's 150+ elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems. Its schools have received 96 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards.

The Manager, Lead Gifts will be an integral part of the lead gifts team at the Archdiocese of Chicago helping the Archdiocese reach its fundraising goals through coordinating, tracking, and engaging with lead gift donors. The Manager, Lead Gifts will support the Archbishop’s lead gift efforts through assistance with scheduling, presentation preparation, communications, briefings and other duties related to engaging with lead gift donors. This position will help lead operations meetings with the Archbishop providing updates on donor activities and strategies.

This position will help the Lead Gift team stay coordinated on donor efforts by leading weekly check‑in meetings, preparing communications, ensuring gifts are tracked correctly in the database, and engaging directly with donors as appropriate.

The Manager, Lead Gifts will be an integral part of the overall Stewardship and Development team helping to ideate new engagement and event strategies and helping all front‑line development activities stay connected and aligned. As an Archdiocese of Chicago representative to internal and external leadership, the Manager, Lead Gifts must present a professional demeanor and support the mission of the Archdiocese at all times.

Other duties as assigned to ensure the Archdiocese of Chicago makes its fundraising goals with a particular focus on lead gift work.

The Archdiocese of Chicago offers a comprehensive total rewards package to include competitive compensation and benefit programs. Information about our benefit programs is available here.

This position has a salary range of $85,000-$132,000. An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on many factors including but not limited to: relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Master’s degree or CFRE preferred.
• 5+ years of institutional fundraising experience or related background.
• Strong communication, organization, and project management skills.
• Strong presentation skills.
• High levels of productive time management capabilities.
• Knowledgeable in the latest computer technology with proficient skills.
• Professional demeanor.
• High level of confidentiality.
• Empathy with the ethos of the Catholic Church and affinity with the overall mission of the Archdiocese of Chicago.