VP Philanthropy

Catholic Charities of the Diocese • Fort Wayne, IN

1d

About The Position

Catholic Charities Fort Wayne-South Bend seeks a senior fundraising leader to inspire generosity, personally secure major gifts, and lead an experienced team. Working with the CEO, the Vice President builds donor relationships across the diocese and translates philanthropic opportunities into a practical fundraising plan with clear priorities, consistent follow-through, and measurable community impact.

The role directly manages the Mission Advancement Associates and Director of Marketing, providing direction, coaching, professional development, and accountability while respecting their expertise. The Vice President oversees an integrated philanthropic strategy spanning major gifts, annual giving, foundation and grant support, planned giving, and targeted campaigns; partners with the CEO and board on significant gifts; and strengthens donor segmentation, stewardship, CRM practices, pipeline tracking, forecasting, and reporting.

The position balances visible donor and community engagement with disciplined planning and leadership. The Vice President represents Catholic Charities in donor and community settings, builds productive relationships with diocesan leaders, clergy, parishes, and community partners, and periodically travels within the diocese for meetings, events, and relationship-building. Catholic organizational experience, functional knowledge of diocesan operations, demonstrated major-gift success, and senior team leadership are required.

Requirements

• Demonstrated personal success cultivating, soliciting, and securing major gifts.
• Senior leadership experience directly managing an established team of experienced professionals.
• Direct responsibility for philanthropic funds totaling more than $2 million, with the ability to explain the timeframe, funding sources, and personal role in the results.
• An outgoing, engaging presence and ability to build rapport, communicate a compelling case for support, and confidently invite significant gifts.
• Ability to set direction, coach performance, delegate effectively, and hold experienced professionals accountable.
• Experience working in a Catholic organization and functional knowledge of diocesan operations, parish relationships, leadership structures, and approvals.
• Strong presentation, listening, and relationship-building skills with donors, board members, clergy, and community leaders.
• Specific examples of developing and implementing fundraising plans using donor pipelines, CRM practices, clear ownership, and measurable outcomes.
• Commitment to Catholic Charities’ mission, values, and service to the community.
• Ability to build productive Fort Wayne and broader diocesan relationships.
• Sound judgment, humility, resilience, collaboration, and consistent follow-through.

Nice To Haves

• Existing Fort Wayne or regional connections add value.
• Relevant experience may come from Catholic charities or diocesan advancement, Catholic education or healthcare, human services and other nonprofit development leadership, healthcare or community foundation fundraising, higher education advancement, major gifts, campaigns, annual giving, planned giving, foundation relations, donor stewardship, or fundraising operations.
• Relocation support or signing bonus consideration may be available for the right candidate.

Responsibilities

• Personally identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors using clear relationship plans and next steps.
• Lead, coach, and develop three experienced professionals across mission advancement and marketing.
• Clarify team roles, decision responsibilities, priorities, ownership, performance expectations, and accountability.
• Develop and implement a fundraising plan with revenue targets, donor strategies, milestones, and named owners.
• Strengthen donor segmentation, stewardship, acknowledgement, and consistent follow-up.
• Coordinate annual giving, foundation and grant support, planned giving, and targeted campaigns within the fundraising strategy.
• Partner with the CEO and board on significant gifts, including proposals, meeting preparation, asks, and follow-through.
• Improve CRM discipline, donor pipeline tracking, revenue forecasts, and reporting to guide decisions.
• Align marketing, mission advancement, and program teams around a compelling case for support and accurate impact stories.
• Lead regular planning, progress reviews, and problem-solving using clear measures and practical next steps.
• Represent Catholic Charities with warmth, energy, credibility, and integrity in donor and community settings.
• Build trusted relationships with diocesan leaders, clergy, parishes, donors, board members, and community partners.
• Periodically travel within the diocese for meetings, events, and relationship-building.
• Review fundraising activity and results against agreed goals and take corrective action when needed.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits package aligned with the scope of the role and candidate experience.
• Relocation support or signing bonus consideration may be available for the right candidate.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed