Director of Development

Job Summary

Director, Development

Reports to the Vice President, Advancement

The Director of Development plays a key role assisting the Vice President of Advancement to fund our amazing mission as we grow from 100 to 1,000 joyfully and faithfully Catholic high schools across the U.S. and the world. Already supporting 107 schools and founding groups in the U.S., Canada, and six foreign countries, the Director of Development invites partners and benefactors to live and give in the spirit of G.K. Chesterton’s gratitude, generosity and common sense.

• Help ensure ongoing fundraising activity is conducted in keeping with authentic Catholic identity and reflects our mission of evangelization through education.
• Exhibit faithfulness to the Magisterium of the Church in accord with our canonical status as a private association of the Christian faithful.
• Personally exercise and encourage in others an imitation of Christ in the model of G.K. Chesterton’s joy and spirituality.

• In close collaboration with the VP, Advancement, identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporate donors.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with existing and potential donors to enhance donor engagement and stewardship.
• Support the continued growth of the Knights of the Apostolate of Common Sense, and acquire, retain, and steward donors at all ranks.
• Assist the VP, Advancement with strategic advice to better steward prospects, foundations, and donors.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with major donors, ensuring personalized engagement and stewardship.

• Support programming and implementation of fundraising events and overall advancement efforts.
• Plan and oversee Knights and other donor appreciation events, including winter pilgrimage and summer conference events.

• Develop and implement annual giving programs to engage a broad base of donors and supporters.
• Coordinate campaigns, appeals, and initiatives to drive annual giving contributions.
• Work with finance operations to prepare annual report detailing faithful stewardship of donor resources and engendering trust among our donor base.

• Collaborate with the communications team to create compelling development-related content.
• Ensure consistent and impactful communication to donors, highlighting the impact of their contributions.

• Manage donor databases and ensure accurate and up-to-date records.
• Analyze fundraising data to track progress, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.
• Provide regular reports to the VP, Advancement on development progress and outcomes.

• Support the Development & Membership Coordinator to ensure he/she is meeting revenue projections and activity goals, with regular reports to the VP, Advancement.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Nonprofit Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience in donor prospecting and cultivation, with the ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with diverse donors.
• Familiarity with fundraising and donor management software such as Virtuous or Bloomerang.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Knowledge of Catholic fundraising principles and donor relations.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Frequent travel required (40-60 days per year)
• Strong affinity for the core values of the Society of G.K. Chesterton, including:
• Faithfulness & Evangelical Zeal
• Chestertonian Joy & Gratitude
• Solidarity & Subsidiarity; and
• Service & Stewardship.