Director of Development, Northeast Region

Catholic Extension Society works in solidarity with people to build up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities among the poor in the poorest regions of America. With the generosity of individual donors and local and national foundations, Catholic Extension Society raises funds to help these poor, forgotten, and often isolated communities to flourish.

• Catholic Extension Society invests in buildings by supporting the construction and renovation of churches and church facilities.
• Catholic Extension Society invests in leaders for the Church by providing education, training and support to seminarians, priests, sisters, deacons, and lay leaders.
• Catholic Extension Society invests in ministries by supporting pastoral, youth, young adult, campus and outreach ministries, Catholic schools, and religious education.

Established in 1905, Catholic Extension Society is a papal society that is answering Pope Francis’ call to go out to America’s “peripheries.” Since its founding, the organization has distributed more than $1.3 billion in today’s dollars to dioceses that cannot support themselves. These areas are called “Extension dioceses,” and are reviewed and approved by Catholic Extension Society’s Board of Governors.

Catholic Extension Society has a full-time staff of 50 employees based at its headquarters in Chicago or in one of its regional offices in the following locations: Boston; Dallas; Monterey; Naples, Florida; Nashville; San Diego, San Jose, and Puerto Rico. Its staff comprises talented and experienced professionals working in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment and team-focused culture.

Catholic Extension Society seeks candidates for the role of Director of Development for the Northeast Region with a focus primarily on New York. Reporting to the Vice President of Development, the Director of Development will join a 20-person Development Department, which includes six gift officers who focus on major giving and are each responsible for a geographic region, and one gift officer who focuses on planned giving. Ideally, the Director of Development for the Northeast Region will be based in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, or Washington D.C. However, Catholic Extension Society is interested in identifying the best candidate and will selectively consider other locations for the Director of Development’s base of operations.

The Director of Development will work in collaboration with the Vice President of Development, as well as with other colleagues in senior administration and in the Development Department, to advance Catholic Extension Society’s major gifts presence in the Northeast Region. The organization enjoys tremendous areas of existing support in the New York tri-state area as well as significant potential for new donor engagement in the area. As the majority of the region’s revenue is generated from donors within 50 miles of New York City, the Director of Development should be steeped in the New York City metropolitan area’s philanthropic networks as they relate to Catholic initiatives and organizations: education, arts and culture, science and technology, and other charitable endeavors; and possess particular sensitivity and responsiveness to the culture and trends of those networks. The Director of Development should also possess knowledge of the Washington, D.C. philanthropic landscape as the area has shown significant potential for growth.

While Catholic Extension Society will consider a broad range of backgrounds, the ideal candidate will have the following qualifications/experience:

• Commitment to and passion for the mission of Catholic Extension Society; ability to communicate and generate excitement about its mission, history, vision, programs, and fundamental strengths. A commitment to and understanding of the mission and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
• A minimum of eight years of post-college work experience and at least six years of frontline major gifts fundraising experience, with proficiency working with gifts of five figures and above (or equivalent combinations) from both defined and undefined constituencies, including cultivation through closing and stewardship. Experience managing a fundraising territory for a mid to large-size nonprofit organization is preferred.
• Must have demonstrated ability to think strategically about moving individuals across the spectrum of prospect development, culminating in significant solicitations appropriate to the donor and organizational priorities.
• Significant knowledge of the players, strategies, and trends in giving within the major philanthropic communities throughout the Northeast Region as well as significant, demonstrated fundraising success therein. The successful candidate must possess the gravitas and style compatible with the region and its philanthropic circles. The ability to penetrate these social networks seamlessly and with aplomb is a must.
• Must be able to extract and analyze data to make effective, efficient decisions about donor strategy and process. A working knowledge of modern data management practices and techniques, including database information systems, data modeling, and analysis is preferred.
• Experience identifying, nurturing, and motivating volunteers, and an appreciation for their role in building an effective fundraising network.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Catholic Extension Society is an equal opportunity employer and consideration for employment is made without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact the Catholic Extension Society human resources department at [email protected].

The Catholic Extension Society has retained the DSG Fundraising & Advancement Practice of the Diversified Search Group to assist in this confidential search process. Inquiries, nominations, and applications (current resumes and cover letters) may be submitted via the following link – https://talent-profile.diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/v2/20615 – or directed to:

Gerard F. Cattie, Jr.
Managing Director and DSG Fundraising & Advancement Practice Leader
Diversified Search Group
The Chrysler Building, 405 Lexington Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York 10174
[email protected] | 212.542.2587