Independent Schools of Saint Louis

Director of Development, Major Gifts Chaminade College Preparatory School

Chaminade College Preparatory School, an independent, Marianist, Catholic School, is dedicated to developing the inherent spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and physical potential of young men in middle and high school. We currently are accepting applications for Director of Development, Major Gifts. This is a full-time position who reports to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement. 

 

Job Title 

Director of Development, Major Gifts 

 

Reports To 

Vice President of Institutional Advancement 

 

Job Goal 

The Director of Development position involves identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and planned gifts to support Chaminade's mission and goals. Key responsibilities include managing a portfolio of high-net-worth donors and prospects, developing custom cultivation and solicitation strategies, articulating the school's needs and vision, and tracking progress through a donor database. Chaminade is in the quiet phase of a capital campaign and the Director of Development, Major Gifts will have a role in continuing the strong progress of our campaign. The role requires exceptional communication skills, deep knowledge of philanthropic practices, and the ability to collaborate with internal staff and external volunteers to secure significant gifts.   

 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Manage and actively engage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, typically defined as those with the capacity to give $20,000 or more (the specific amount may vary). 
  • Develop and execute personalized strategies for each donor to advance relationships, leading to qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. 
  • Conduct face-to-face meetings with donors and prospects to discuss their philanthropic interests and solicit major gifts. 
  • Write compelling and persuasive funding proposals, presentations, and other communications for potential donors. 
  • Introduce appropriate donors to planned giving opportunities. 
  • Utilize donor database software (e.g., Raiser's Edge) to meticulously track all donor interactions, record contact reports, and manage prospect information. 
  • Attend and engage donors in cultivation and stewardship events, which may occur during evenings or weekends. 
  • Regularly analyze and report on portfolio activity and fundraising results to measure progress toward established goals.  
  • Other duties as assigned. 

 

Required Skills and Qualifications 

  • Bachelor's degree required. 
  • 5-7 years of experience in fundraising, with a proven track record of successfully soliciting and closing major gifts. 
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal). 
  • Experience with donor management systems such as Raiser's Edge or similar CRM software. 
  • A high level of organizational skill and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. 
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
  • Strong commitment to the school's mission and values.  

 

Please email resume and letter of interest to Lisa Schaffer, lschaffer@chaminade-stl.org. No phone calls, please.