Donor Engagement Officer

Description

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

St. Mary’s Catholic Center seeks a mission-driven, people-oriented professional to serve as a Donor Engagement Officer—a relational frontline fundraiser who will cultivate, steward, and grow support from emerging and mid-level donors (typically under $10,000). This individual will serve as a spiritual bridge between the mission of St. Mary’s and the generous individuals who support it. Through intentional outreach, pastoral care, and personalized engagement, the Donor Engagement Officer will help donors grow in both generosity and discipleship.

As a public ambassador for St. Mary’s, this team member must be comfortable building relationships, coordinating with ministry and development colleagues, and delivering a high standard of donor care. This role is an ideal next step for an individual early in their development career who is passionate about ministry and excited by the opportunity to grow into a professional fundraiser.

Organization Overview

St. Mary’s Catholic Center at Texas A&M University exists to form apostles for the Church and the world. As a ministry of the New Evangelization, we embrace a dynamic orthodoxy—faithful to the Church, engaging to the unchurched, and fervent in mission. The Donor Engagement Officer serves on the development team and supports the pastoral and evangelizing work of the Center. Each day begins in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, reflecting our deep reliance on God in all we do.

Major Responsibilities And Duties

The Donor Engagement Officer plays a critical role in building a pipeline for future major gifts by investing relationally in the 95% of donors who fund the day-to-day mission of St. Mary’s. This role ensures that no gift, or donor, is treated as transactional, but rather as part of a lifelong journey of faith, generosity, and mission partnership.

Specific Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

• Build and maintain relationships with a portfolio of emerging and mid-level donors (typically giving under $10,000 annually).
• Conduct personal outreach via phone calls, emails, handwritten notes, Zoom calls, and in-person meetings.
• Collaborate with ministry and chaplaincy staff to connect donors more deeply to the spiritual life and mission of St. Mary’s.
• Respond to donor inquiries promptly, accurately, and with pastoral sensitivity.
  
  

Engagement & Growth

• Implement a tiered stewardship plan that ensures timely acknowledgments, meaningful updates, and opportunities for donor involvement.
• Organize engagement activities (e.g., donor spotlights, mission updates, small gatherings) that nurture donor loyalty and spiritual growth.
• Identify and qualify prospective major donors for potential portfolio elevation and collaboration with the Director of Development.
  
  

Strategy & Collaboration

• Work closely with the Director of Development to set and achieve outreach, engagement, and fundraising goals.
• Contribute to team discussions on donor communications, campaign strategy, and fundraising messaging.
• Collaborate with the Communications team to ensure consistent and mission-aligned donor materials and messaging.
  
  

Qualifications

• A servant’s heart and a joyful witness to the Catholic faith.
• At least 1–3 years of experience in development, ministry, customer service, sales, or another relationship-centered field.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Comfortable initiating conversations and building rapport with people of varying ages and backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Computer skills (Google Workplace Platform, Microsoft Office, and word processing) and open to learning fundraising database).
• Familiarity with and appreciation for Catholic teachings and campus ministry.
  
  

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
  
  

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• Valid driver's license.
• Must maintain compliance with the Diocese of Austin Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) policies through the employment period.
  
  

Compensation

The Donor Engagement Officer is a full-time, salaried position. Salary commensurate with qualifications and full benefits.

JOB CONDITION AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is performed in a church or office setting with daily and weekly deadlines. The candidate must have flexibility and availability to be present on some nights and weekends. While performing the duties of this job, the Donor Engagement Officer is required to stand, walk, talk, reach, sit and perform repetitive motions of hands/wrists. The ability to lift and move items up to twenty pounds is required.

The Director of Development will evaluate the Donor Engagement Officer in writing at least annually.