Major Gift Officer, Planned Giving

Knights of Columbus; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time away: 13 paid holidays + vacation

Flexible workweek schedules

Tuition reimbursement for professional

401(k) matching

Health insurance options

Short-term disability

Parental leave

Life insurance

Job summary

Knights of Columbus is seeking a Major Gift Officer - Planned Giving to drive donor engagement and secure major and planned gifts for the Shrine and Institute. The role focuses on cultivating relationships with high-net-worth donors and coordinating with legal and financial advisors to ensure compliant gift structures.

The position reports to the fundraising leadership and supports a strategic program across multiple channels, including face-to-face solicitations and stewardship activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Minimum of 6-8 years of experience in major gift fundraising.
• Proven track record of securing major and planned gifts.
• Experience with donor databases and fundraising software.

Responsibilities

• Cultivate and solicit major donors and planned giving prospects.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive planned giving program.
• Collaborate with Shrine staff, legal and financial advisors to ensure proper documentation and compliance.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Planned giving

Donor cultivation

Donor relationship management

Excellent communication

Board interaction

Data-driven fundraising

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

Fundraising Software

Job description

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The Knights of Columbus is a tax-exempt Catholic fraternal benefit society that provides financial security to members and their families through our life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, investment and annuity products. Charity is at the core of our missions: our profits are donated to help those in need and to support our faith - $1.73B over the past ten years.

While we have many employees who are not Catholic, we follow the Church’s teachings in our investment strategies and our employee benefits. As part of our religious mission, we support the pro-life cause by contributing to the March for Life and pregnancy resource centers, we oppose assisted suicide and euthanasia, we are evangelists for the Catholic faith, and we help Christians who are facing religious persecution in the Middle East. We all work together to support our two million members as they volunteer to help others in their parishes and communities around the world.

Share Your Talent. Live Your Purpose.

We are a growing and purpose-driven community of professionals. Join us to discover how you can meet your goals and ours!

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Overview

The Major Gift Officer - Planned Giving represents the Knights of Columbus and the Saint John Paul II National Shrine and Institute (Shrine and Institute) in creating, cultivating, and activating relationships with donors and potential donors . This position is also responsible for developing and implementing strategies to secure major gifts and planned gifts to support the mission of Knights of Columbus Charities. This role involves identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors and prospects, with a particular focus on planned giving opportunities.

Core Responsibilities

• Donor Cultivation and Solicitation
  • Identify and cultivate relationships with prospective major donors and planned giving prospects.
  • Develop and implement personalized strategies to engage and solicit major gifts and planned gifts.
  • Conduct face-to-face meetings, presentations, and follow-up communications with donors and prospects.
  • Work closely with Shrine staff and volunteers in order to enhance fundraising efforts and cultivate individual prospects.
• Planned Giving Program Management:
  • Develop and manage a comprehensive planned giving program, including bequests, charitable gift annuities, trusts, and other planned giving vehicles.
  • Educate donors and prospects about the benefits of planned giving and how it can support their philanthropic goals.
  • Collaborate with legal and financial advisors to ensure proper documentation and compliance with planned giving agreements.

Skills Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of planned giving vehicles and strategies.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with donors, prospects, and professional advisors.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency in donor database management and fundraising Software.
• Understanding charitable giving legal guidelines, specifically as it relates to fundraising and planned giving.
• Innovative strategic, entrepreneurial, and collaborative team player.
• Exceptional written communication skills and verbal interpersonal communication.
• Proven track record of cultivating, nurturing, closing, sustaining, and managing high-level portfolios.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with board and other volunteers in a collaborative and respectful manner, and comfortable interacting with a diverse network of high-net-worth supporters.
• Data-driven, results-oriented, and forward thinker who leverages metrics to demonstrate return on investment for donors and stakeholders.
• Goal-oriented individual with sound judgment and integrity, as well as a high level of energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to the mission and goals of the organization
• Willing to try new approaches and take appropriate risks.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• Minimum of 6-8 years of experience in major gift fundraising, with a proven track record of securing major and planned gifts with increased responsibility.

Compensation

The wage range for this role takes into account a broad array of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to: skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The range below applies as long as the work is performed in Connecticut; the Knights of Columbus reserves the right to adjust the wage range if the position is performed in another location. At the Knights of Columbus, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $110,000-$187,000.

Authorization to work in the United States is required

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Physical Demands

Ability to travel as needed

KofC Cares

Our mission is focused on family and faith, and we support our employees in seeking a balanced life.

Employee benefits include:

Time Away: 13 paid holidays per year in addition to vacation and paid sick leave, and flexible workweek schedules.

Professional Development: Certifications, designation, and tuition reimbursement.

Retirement Benefits: 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching company contributions, and cash balance retirement plans fully funded by the company.

Health and Wellness:

• Short-term disability and term life insurance fully paid for by the company;
• Up to 12 weeks of childbirth leave under STD policy.
• One week of fully paid parental leave for all new parents, including adoptive and foster parents.
• A variety of health insurance options, including premium-level family coverage and a pre-tax Health Savings Account with employer contributions. The Order's health plans do not cover abortion, sterilization, or contraception, and the Order has helped advocate for other employers who do not want to provide coverage.