Director of Major Gifts Remote (U.S.-based) | Travel Required (25-40%)
About the National Eucharistic Congress The National Eucharistic Congress is a movement within the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to renewing the Church through a deeper encounter with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Following the historic 2024 Congress and ongoing National Eucharistic Revival, the NEC is building toward its next Congress in 2029-expanding a national movement of evangelization, formation, and mission.
We are seeking a Director of Major Gifts to help advance this mission by building strong donor relationships and securing transformational financial support.
Position Summary The Director of Major Gifts is a frontline fundraiser responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major donors and sponsors nationwide.
This role manages a portfolio of 100-150 prospects and is accountable for driving measurable growth in: Total number of donors and sponsors Average gift size Donor retention and long-term engagement
Success in this role is measured by dollars raised, the strength of the donor pipeline, and the ability to build meaningful, mission-driven relationships.
This position requires strategic thinking, disciplined execution, and relational effectiveness, with a clear focus on generating financial support to advance the NEC's mission.
Key Responsibilities Major Gift Fundraising (75%) Manage and grow a portfolio of 100-150 qualified donor and sponsor prospects Develop and execute individualized strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors Conduct consistent outreach (meetings, calls, emails, handwritten notes) with a target of 12-15 meaningful donor touches per week Lead all aspects of the gift cycle, including engagement, proposal development, and closing Present compelling, mission-aligned funding opportunities Partner with NEC leadership, Board Members, and clergy to engage high-capacity donors Track all activity and next steps in CRM
Pipeline Development (10%) Build and maintain a strong pipeline across all stages of giving Identify and qualify new prospects through research, referrals, and network development Provide accurate pipeline forecasting and reporting
Collaboration and Events (15%) Partner with internal teams to align messaging and funding priorities Support donor events, pilgrimages, and Congress-related initiatives Collaborate with external partners and stakeholders to expand donor engagement
Qualifications Proven ability to secure five- and six-figure gifts and/or sponsorships Experience managing a portfolio of donor relationships and closing complex gifts Strong communication and relationship-building skills Ability to operate in a metrics-driven, accountable environment Experience using CRM systems and donor data to drive strategy Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities
Who You Are A self-starter with a strong sense of urgency and ownership Comfortable making direct and compelling financial asks Disciplined, goal-oriented, and accountable for results Relational and able to build trust quickly Passionate about the mission of the Church and the work of the NEC
Compensation & Benefits Competitive base salary Benefits package Opportunity for a discretionary performance bonus
To Apply Please submit your resume and a brief note outlining your interest in the role and experience in major gift fundraising, along with your compensation expectations (base salary and bonus).
