Development Officer

Join our team at Catholic Charities as a Development Officer, helping to secure resources that support individuals and families in need.

We are a nonprofit organization serving Central Minnesota with core values rooted in Compassion, Hope, Accountability, Respect, Dignity, and Service
. Catholic Charities empowers our neighbors and creates impact in housing, food, and mental health that is seen and felt for generations.

The Development Officer is responsible for growing Catholic Charities’ donor base and increasing revenue through major gifts of $5,000 and above. This role identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards donors; manages major gift and sponsorship opportunities; and communicates the mission, programs, and funding priorities of Catholic Charities to supporters. The Development Officer also engages donors through personalized outreach, including calls, emails, and meetings, while promoting giving opportunities such as the Circle of Hope Society, event sponsor ships, and planned gifts.

• Lead major gift fundraising efforts, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors contributing $5,000+ and leadership donors contributing $1,000+.
• Manage and grow a portfolio of 150+ donor prospects using relationship-based moves management strategies.
• Build strong donor relationships through personal meetings, tours, calls, emails, events, and stewardship activities.
• Secure transformational and multi-year gifts while ensuring donors receive meaningful recognition and impact reporting.
• Collaborate with leadership and development staff to identify, cultivate, and engage prospective donors.
• Represent Catholic Charities in the community through networking, speaking engagements, and partnerships with civic, faith-based, business, educational, and social service organizations.
• Support the planning and execution of fundraising events, including donor outreach, communications, program development, and follow-up.
• Participate in Benevon fundraising initiatives and donor engagement activities.
• Develop and promote planned giving strategies to increase legacy and estate gifts.
• Foster long-term donor relationships that encourage ongoing and planned philanthropic support.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Experience: Three (3) years of fundraising or relevant experience
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Demonstrated ability to plan and execute major gift activities, including ability to ask for and close gifts of $5,000 and above
  • Able to ask leading questions that encourage prospects and donors to talk about themselves and their activities
  • Ability to motivate and encourage people to be involved in the major gift cultivation and solicitation process
  • Able to balance competing priorities, complex situations and tight deadlines
  • Able to articulate the mission and programs of Catholic Charities to a diverse constituency, including Catholic and Non-Catholic denominations

• Make a meaningful impact by helping secure resources that support Catholic Charities' mission and improve lives throughout our communities.
• Build lasting relationships with donors, community leaders, and partners who are passionate about making a difference.
• Be part of a dedicated team that values collaboration, innovation, stewardship, and service.
• Drive transformational giving by connecting donor passions with programs that create measurable community impact.
• Engage with the community through outreach, events, networking, and mission-focused storytelling.
• Grow professionally through opportunities to develop expertise in major gifts, donor relations, fundraising strategy, and planned giving.
• Work with purpose every day, knowing your efforts directly support individuals and families in need.
• Join a mission-driven organization grounded in compassion, dignity, and a commitment to serving others.

• Vacation (20 days within your first year)
• 8 paid holidays (7 full days, 2 half days)
• 6 days ESST (sick)
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Waive-off credit for those who have other group health insurance
• Employer-paid Basic Life insurance…