Major Gifts Officer (Full-Time)

Job Description

Mercy Circle is seeking an experienced and strategic individual to serve as the Major Gifts Officer. This full-time (32 to 40 hours/week), benefit-eligible role is responsible for developing and implementing strategies designed to engage individual major donors and prospects in ways that encourage philanthropic support. The Major Gifts Officer leads all fundraising activities and reports to the Executive Director.

Position Responsibilities

  • Plan, direct and implement strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward major and planned gifts from individual donors and prospects
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive plan to include major gifts appeals, special campaigns, special events, individual giving, planned giving, sponsorships, corporate foundations and grants
  • Oversee an events program that deepens and expands the existing donor base at all levels of giving, with special focus on growing annual fund and individual major gifts; strive to achieve and exceed events fundraising goals; maintain and enhance donor recognition program
  • Develop, maintain and evaluate an active prospect portfolio of new and major gift donors to include each visit/call and follow-up on visits/solicitations as appropriate
  • Prepare donor solicitations, campaign materials and correspondence related to development activities
  • Maintain donor database and systems to track contributions, produce timely donor acknowledgements and create reports as appropriate
  • Write gift agreements, proposals and reports as needed for specific donors
  • Provide monthly reports to Executive Director and/or Board of Directors in a timely manner

Position Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • Minimum of 4+ years of fundraising experience with proven track record of success with closing new gifts
  • Demonstrated strength in relationship management; ability to understand the needs and interests of major donors in order to develop and sustain relationships
  • Well-developed communication skills including excellent writing, public speaking and attention to detail
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Knowledge of the field of Development, handling and processing various types of gifts, checks, CDs, stock, wills, etc.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule which includes some evening and weekend hours

Benefits

Mercy Circle offers a number of generous and competitive benefits to associates including, but not limited to

  • Medical, dental, vision and prescription insurance
  • Flexible spending account
  • Employer paid life insurance
  • 403b retirement plan with employer discretionary contribution and matching opportunities
  • Education reimbursement program
  • Employee assistance program
  • Employee referral bonus
  • Paid time off for vacation and illness

Mercy Circle is an equal opportunity employer for all candidates without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability or genetics. Mercy Circle is a drug-free workplace. All job candidates undergo background checks before they can start working.

Please contact Careers@MercyCircle.org if you have any questions or would like assistance completing our application process.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services awards the top ranking—5 stars for its overall rating and 5 stars for quality staffing—to Mercy Circle. This not-for-profit provides the full continuum of care from an independent living lifestyle to skilled nursing care and has a no-entrance-fee policy.

Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Mercy Circle is the only faith-based retirement community on Chicago’s southwest side. Located at 3659 West 99th Street in Chicago, the campus features spacious residences at all levels of care, along with thoughtful amenities, life enrichment programs and social and friendship opportunities.