Employment

Job Function:
The Development Officer leads donor engagement, stewardship, and fundraising strategy, with a strong emphasis on relationships within Catholic parishes and diocesan networks. This role prioritizes long-term donor and funder partnerships, including grant development, and serves as the primary steward of donor data and engagement strategy, supported operationally by a Development Associate.

Job Responsibility 

Donor Engagement and Stewardship (Primary Focus)

• Build, cultivate, and sustain strong, mission-driven relationships with individual donors, with a particular emphasis on Catholic parish communities, diocesan partners, and faith-based supporters.
• Serve as the primary steward of donor relationships, ensuring consistent, personalized communication that reflects the organization’s mission, values, and impact.
• Develop and implement comprehensive donor stewardship strategies, including recognition, reporting, and engagement opportunities that promote long-term giving.
• Partner closely with diocesan leaders, parish staff, and clergy to strengthen relationships, expand outreach, and deepen philanthropic engagement across Catholic networks.
• Proactively strengthen relationships with existing donors through consistent, personalized engagement, ensuring they feel valued, informed, and connected to the organization’s mission and impact.

Grant Funding and Institutional Relationships

• Identify, research, and pursue grant opportunities from foundations and faith-aligned funding organizations.
• Write and manage grant proposals, reports, and supporting documentation to secure and sustain funding.
• Track grant deliverables, deadlines, and reporting requirements, ensuring compliance and strong funder stewardship.

Corporate and Community Partnerships

• Cultivate and manage relationships with corporate sponsors, local businesses, and community partners to support mission-driven initiatives.
• Ensure partners receive appropriate recognition and engagement opportunities.

Event Support and Engagement Opportunities (Supporting Role)

• Support the planning and execution of key engagement events, including the annual Caritas appreciation event and the Bundle Up Your Baby Bumps community outreach events held throughout North Dakota.
• Utilize events as relationship-building opportunities to strengthen connections with donors, parish communities, and local partners, ensuring all activities are mission-centered and stewardship-driven.
• Coordinate and promote community supply drives in partnership with parishes, local organizations, and volunteers to support Bundle Up Your Baby Bumps events.
• Cultivate and secure event sponsorships from local businesses and community partners, strengthening ongoing relationships and expanding organizational support.
• Assist with volunteer coordination, logistics, and event execution, maintaining a focus on creating welcoming, impactful experiences for families served and meaningful engagement for donors and partners.

Database Management and Reporting

• Work in collaboration with the Development Associate, who provides operational support for data entry, gift processing, and routine updates.

Collaboration and Organizational Engagement

• Work closely with the leadership team to align development strategies with organizational priorities and growth goals.
• Collaborate with staff to develop donor communications, impact reports, and parish/diocesan engagement materials.
• Represent the organization within Catholic parishes, diocesan settings, community events, and professional networks to strengthen visibility and relationships.
• Culturally knowledgeable to fulfill the needs of the clients and the position requirements.
• Participate in the CCND Performance Quality Improvement process.
• Demonstrate values consistent with the Agency.

**Other duties as assigned by the Sr. Director of Strategic Engagement or Executive Director.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in fundraising and development activities, including donor prospect identification, cultivation, research, communications, and public relations.
• Proven experience in grant writing, management, and reporting is highly desirable.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, tactfully, and effectively with diverse audiences, including donors, clergy, parish leaders, and community partners.
• Ability to represent the organization with professionalism, discretion, and cultural awareness, including an appreciation for and alignment with the values and expectations of Catholic parish and diocesan communities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field from an accredited college or university preferred. Equivalent experience will be considered.
• Proficiency with software and technology platforms, including but not limited to Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Google Workspace, donor databases, and online fundraising or grant portals.
• Position is based in Fargo, North Dakota, with a hybrid work schedule option; candidates must reside within 40 miles of Fargo to effectively support in-person meetings, parish engagement, and organizational needs.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout North Dakota, including occasional evenings and weekends, to support donor engagement, parish outreach, and organizational initiatives.