Summary
Description
Mercy Circle is a faith-based continuing care and retirement community sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy located on Chicago’s south side. Mercy Circle provides retirement apartments, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care to individuals 62 years of age or older. We are 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, sponsorship and corporate, foundation and grants.
- Oversee an events program that deepens and expands the existing donor base at all levels of giving, with special focus on growing our annual fund and individual major gifts. Strive to achieve and exceed events fundraising goals. Maintain and enhance our 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.
- 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 ability and public speaking skills. 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.
Mercy Circle is an EOE (Equal Opportunity Employer) and drug-free workplace.
Mercy Circle offers a number of generous and competitive benefits to associates including, but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, life, 403b retirement savings plan, paid vacation/sick time and tuition reimbursement.
If interested, please submit your resume to Susan Tirpak, Director of Human Resources, at stirpak@mercycircle.org or call (773)253-3609.
