Director - Donor Relations

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago•Chicago, IL

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
Minimum of 5+ years relevant experience
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

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Business Administration
10+ years relevant experience
Experience working in a faith-based or mission-driven non-profit organization
Experience working within Raiser's Edge
Experience with donor communications including annual reports, impact reports, and recognition programs

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.