Major Gifts and Foundation Relations Officer

Position Summary

We are seeking an energetic and strategic Major Gifts and Foundation Relations Officer to join our dynamic fundraising team. In this pivotal role, you will spearhead efforts to cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts from individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners. The Office of Advancement & Alumni at Central Catholic High School seeks a Major Gifts and Foundation Relations Officer to join its team. This position will develop relationships with alumni, parents, grandparents, friends, foundations, and other philanthropic partners to increase support for Central Catholic and its priorities.

Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Major Gifts and Foundation Relations Officer will manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors and oversee the school’s foundation and grant efforts. The position will work closely with the President, Chief Advancement Officer, and members of the Advancement & Alumni team to identify prospective donors and funders, cultivate relationships, and secure philanthropic support.

The successful candidate will be an experienced fundraiser and strong relationship-builder, comfortable meeting with donors, making solicitations, developing proposals, and identifying new sources of support. Strong writing and organizational skills are important, particularly in managing foundation proposals, grant applications, reporting requirements, and deadlines.

This is a full-time, 12-month position. Travel and occasional evening and weekend hours are required.

Responsibilities

Major Gifts

● Manage a portfolio of approximately 100 major gift prospects and donors.

● Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni, parents, grandparents, friends, and other prospective donors.

● Meet regularly with donors and prospects both on and off campus, with an expectation of approximately 6–8 substantive donor and prospect visits per month.

● Develop strategies for moving prospects through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

● Identify new major gift prospects and opportunities to increase philanthropic support.

● Prepare donor correspondence, proposals, briefings, and other materials related to major gift cultivation and solicitation.

● Partner with the President and Chief Advancement Officer on donor strategy, visits, and solicitations.

● Solicit support for annual, capital, scholarship, endowment, and other school priorities.

● Establish and work toward annual goals for donor visits, solicitations, and dollars raised.

● Maintain timely and accurate records of donor contacts, proposals, activities, and next steps in Raiser’s Edge.

Foundation Relations and Grants

● Manage Central Catholic’s foundation and grant efforts from prospect identification through proposal development, submission, reporting, and stewardship.

● Research and identify foundation, corporate, and other grant opportunities that align with Central Catholic’s mission, Strategic Plan, programs, and funding priorities.

● Develop and submit letters of inquiry, grant applications, proposals, and supporting materials.

● Build and maintain relationships with foundation representatives and other funding partners.

● Maintain a calendar of grant opportunities, application deadlines, reporting requirements, and renewal dates.

● Work with faculty, staff, school leadership, and the Business Office to gather program information, outcomes, budgets, and other materials needed for grant proposals and reporting.

● Complete required grant reports and ensure that grant requirements and deadlines are met.

● Maintain accurate records of foundation contacts, proposals, awards, and reports in Raiser’s Edge.

● Identify opportunities to renew and expand support from existing foundation and grant partners.

Advancement & Alumni

● Work collaboratively with members of the Advancement & Alumni team on fundraising, donor stewardship, alumni engagement, events, and other initiatives.

● Develop strong working relationships with faculty and staff across campus.

● Stay informed about school programs, priorities, and activities in order to effectively represent Central Catholic to donors and funders.

● Participate in school, donor, alumni, and Advancement events as appropriate.

● Maintain a high level of confidentiality and discretion when working with donor, financial, and school information.

● Perform other duties related to Advancement & Alumni as needed.

Qualifications

● Bachelor’s degree required.

● Minimum of three to five years of fundraising, development, major gifts, foundation relations, grant writing, or related experience.

● Experience identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors.

● Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with donors and other external constituents.

● Experience with foundation relations, grant research, or proposal development preferred.

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

● Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

● Ability to work independently, take initiative, and follow through.

● Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of people.

● Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate recordkeeping.

● Experience with Raiser’s Edge or another fundraising database preferred.

● Ability and willingness to travel for donor visits and attend occasional evening and weekend events.

● Commitment to and support of the Marist and Catholic mission of Central Catholic High School.

Compensation

The salary for this position is $115,000. Central Catholic High School offers a comprehensive benefits package.

APPLICATION PROCESS & COMPENSATION

For immediate consideration, interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume, and a list of professional references to hr@centralcatholic.net. Central Catholic High School is committed to offering salaries and benefits that are highly competitive with those of similar Catholic secondary schools. Compensation will be commensurate with the level of education and experience.

About Central Catholic High School

Central Catholic High School is a Marist, Catholic college-preparatory school located in Lawrence, Massachusetts, serving students from communities throughout the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire.

Founded in 1935, Central Catholic is committed to providing students with a challenging and supportive educational experience grounded in the Marist values of Presence, Simplicity, Family Spirit, Love of Work, and In the Way of Mary.

As Central Catholic approaches its centennial, the school is guided by its Strategic Plan 2025–2030: Building Toward 100 Years of Excellence. The Major Gifts and Foundation Relations Officer will play an important role in securing philanthropic support for the school’s students, programs, and future.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

In its employment practices, Central Catholic High School will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, unfavorable military discharge, marital status, mental or physical handicap unrelated to the ability to perform duties of the position. This policy shall be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the religious mission of Central Catholic High School and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church

Pay: $115,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $115,000