Major Gifts Officer, Berks Catholic High School

Diocese of Allentown•Reading, PA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Major Gifts Officer will play a key role in building and executing a robust major gifts program for Berks Catholic High School, ensuring the achievement of the goals as outlined in the 2026-2030 Berks Catholic High School Strategic Plan. They will be responsible for securing funds for the school by managing the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of significant individual donors. This position develops donor strategies, conducts and coordinates donor visits, and makes regular reports of progress. In partnership with the Director of Institutional Advancement, the Major Gifts Officer will plan and cultivate relationships by connecting donors with the mission and ministry of Berks Catholic High School.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and experience
Familiarity with the principles of fundraising including annual appeals, major gifts, planned giving and donor databases (Razor's Edge, ideally).
Ability to qualify donors that represent the highest giving potential for the school
Ability to create reasonable financial goals for each donor, based on donor's giving and potential
The ability to create personal contact, ask, upgrade and stewardship plans that take into account individual donor's interest, motivations, giving patterns and ask preferences.
Ability to maintain a positive and constructive attitude as part of a team focused on the mission, goals and values of the school
Ability to represent the vision, mission, goals and values of Berks Catholic High School
Possess a high degree of integrity, confidentiality, strong work ethic and a willingness to quickly and continuously gain knowledge of the mission, vision and values of Berks Catholic High School
Demonstrated skills in building solid relationships and the ability to work with a diverse array of people and personalities under pressure and deadlines.
Possessing exceptional communication abilities including excellent oral and written skills.
Valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Due to the nature and mission of the Catholic Church, all employees are bound to exhibit respect for the teachings and discipline of the Church regarding matters of faith and morals.

Responsibilities

Develop, in consultation with the Director of Institutional Advancement, a strategic plan for the cultivation and solicitation of donors and prospective donors to ensure the achievement of the Advancement goals outlined in the 2026-2030 Berks Catholic Strategic Plan.
Develop strategies for long-term financial growth of the major gifts program.
Personally cultivate and solicit a portfolio of major donor prospects and steward these individuals who become major donors.
Make regular cultivation and solicitation visits and calls to major donors and major gifts prospects.
Prepare visit reports and ensure that proposals and solicitation letters are sent and other appropriate follow-up actions take place.
Prepare the School Principal, Board members and others, as deemed necessary, for visits with major donors and major gift prospects.
Prepare strategy memos and review research before visiting.
Accompany senior staff when appropriate. This includes suggesting donors for personal contact and preparing donor profiles.
Coordinate visits and solicitations with the Director of Institutional Advancement.
Work with Administrative staff to conduct research on donors and prospective donors as needed.
Leverage Razor's Edge technology to support these efforts.
Create ongoing call reports and monthly activity reports that accurately reflect caseload activity and performance.
Travel as necessary to meet with donors; evening and weekend travel may be necessary.
Work within Razor's Edge to obtain necessary information and ensure accurate record-keeping.
Provide regular reports on portfolio activity, pipeline movement, and revenue.
Create timely reports that reflect activity and performance.
Manage clients and donors, process, deadlines and budget while adhering to the policies and procedures of Berks Catholic High School.