Director - Donor Relations

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago

$70K — $95K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.
  • 5+ years of relevant experience in donor relations.
  • Proven ability in donor communications and stewardship best practices.
  • Strong analytical skills with a knack for problem-solving.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the development and implementation of annual donor stewardship plans.
  • Plan and coordinate engaging donor events to foster community.
  • Ensure timely and personalized donor acknowledgments and reporting.
  • Collaborate with internal teams to align goals and enhance donor relations.
  • Lead and develop the Donor Relations team for high performance.

Benefits

  • Professional development and ongoing training opportunities.
  • Supportive and purpose-driven team culture.
  • Opportunity to impact the community and build relationships.
  • Collaborative work environment within a mission-driven organization.
Full Job Description
Job Description

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

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