Archdiocese of Chicago
Director of Mission Impact and Donor Relations
Archdiocese of Chicago, Evanston, Illinois, us, 60208
The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 216 parishes in Cook County and Lake County, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 13,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region's largest nonprofit social service agency. The Archdiocese also has one of the country's largest seminaries. The Archdiocese's 150+ elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems. Its schools have received 96 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards.
The Sheil Catholic Center, located on the beautiful campus of Northwestern University (NU) in Evanston, Illinois, is a vibrant faith community rooted in Catholic tradition and
mission, dedicated to accompanying students, alumni, community associates, and NU faculty and staff, through personal relationships, vibrant worship, transformative
learning, service opportunities and prophetic justice. As a Newman Center, we engage over 1,000 students annually, across both the Evanston and Chicago campuses,
preparing them to carry their faith into the world and workforce. Northwestern University is one of the nation’s leading research institutions with a world-class academic program as well as a strong commitment to innovation and impact. Evanston offers the perfect blend of lakeside beauty, cultural vibrancy, and proximity to Chicago.
Position Summary
We seek a dynamic, relationship-driven, and data-savvy Director of Mission Impact & Donor Relations to animate and inspire support for Sheil’s mission. This is not just a
fundraising job—it’s a calling to advance a ministry that shapes lives, builds faith, and forms future leaders for the Church and the world. We are seeking someone with a
specific blend of talents and passions to serve in this crucial role. The ideal candidate is an active Catholic who is passionate about shaping the future of a transformative
campus ministry program. By fully investing in the Sheil community and drawing others into its mission through storytelling and relationship-building, the Director of Mission Impact & Donor Relations will cultivate generosity to ensure the long-term sustainability of our ministry and its life-changing effect on NU students. Reporting to the Chaplain and Director of Sheil, this role will serve as a key advisor and collaborative leader among staff, university partners, and volunteers.
We're looking for an energetic, charismatic leader who thrives on connecting with people from all walks of life—especially students. If you’re a natural relationship-builder with an entrepreneurial spirit and a bias for action, you’ll thrive in this dynamic, high impact role. This is a unique opportunity for a proactive changemaker who leads with confidence, creativity, and heart.
This is a senior leadership position with a high degree of autonomy, creative opportunity, and partnership with the university, major stakeholders, and senior leadership. As Sheil enters a new chapter of growth and strategic development, the Director of Mission Impact & Donor Relations will play a critical role in shaping the future of Catholic presence on campus. Key Responsibilities Development Leadership (35%) Serve as the chief mission animator, with the Chaplain, in telling the impactful stories of the students of the Sheil Catholic Center to highlight the vibrancy of the mission to our donors and across all mission platforms. Develop and implement a long-term, mission-centered development strategy & roadmap inclusive of annual giving, major gifts, alumni engagement, planned giving, grants, and capital campaigns. Build and steward relationships with major donors, associates, alumni, parents, faculty/staff, foundations, and friends of the ministry. Use data analytics and customer relationship management (CRM) tools to identify donor trends, segment audiences, and measure fundraising effectiveness. Partner with the Chaplain, Campaign Cabinet, and stakeholders to set and achieve fundraising goals. Promote and grow planned giving and legacy giving programs. Community Engagement & Donor Relations (30%) Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, conducting personal outreach and gift solicitations (typically $15,000+). Design and implement stewardship strategies, including personalized donor communications and impact reporting. Collaborate with ministry staff to share compelling stories of student formation and mission impact. Actively participate in community engagement events to further share the story and mission of Sheil including student-focused retreats, service trips, and other key community gatherings.
Events & Campaigns (15%) Lead successful execution of signature fundraising events, including the Adelante Gala and alumni gatherings. Plan and promote strategic donor and community engagement initiatives. Oversee fundraising appeals and stewardship campaigns (print, digital, in person).
Database Management & Analytics (10%) Maintain and enhance donor databases (ParishSOFT, GiveCentral, Greater Giving), ensuring accuracy and segmentation. Analyze, giving data and trends, to inform strategy and track performance. Collaborate with Operations staff to optimize online giving platforms.
Team Leadership & Administration (10%) Manage two direct reports: Director of Mission Engagement and Coordinator of Mission Services & Hospitality, and ensure team alignment with the overall vision for mission impact storytelling and donor relations. Cultivate relationships with Northwestern University partners and the Archdiocese of Chicago. Support budget planning and performance reporting related to development Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in related field or CFRE certification preferred. Minimum 5–7 years of fundraising experience, ideally in higher education, faith based, or nonprofit settings. Strong communication skills—written, oral, and digital. Experience leveraging CRM systems and fundraising analytics to drive strategy. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic design/marketing tools. Active and practicing Catholic with a personal commitment to faith and enthusiasm for campus ministry. Collaborative, self-starting leader with high emotional intelligence and integrity. Willingness to participate in occasional evening or weekend events, including student-focused retreats, service trips, and other key community gatherings, to fully engage with and support the mission and lived experience of the Sheil Catholic Center. Preferred Attributes Charismatic and approachable presence with the ability to inspire trust and enthusiasm in conversations, presentations, and events. Familiarity with the needs and rhythms of university student life. Creative thinker with experience in social media, digital engagement, and community-building. Knowledge of donor psychology, segmentation, and user-centered design in fundraising. Proven ability to lead through influence, motivate teams, and contribute to a culture of collaboration and initiative. Entrepreneurial thinker with a track record of creating and executing new ideas, campaigns, or systems to advance mission impact. Skilled storyteller who can translate student experiences and program impact into compelling narratives for donor audiences. Action-oriented, hands-on leader who is energized by rolling up their sleeves and making things happen.
Compensation and Benefits Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid vacation, and professional development. Opportunities for spiritual enrichment and formation. The Archdiocese of Chicago offers a comprehensive total rewards package to include competitive compensation and benefit programs. Information about our benefit programs is available here. This position has an annualized salary range of -
$65,000.00 - $73,000.00 . An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on many factors including but not limited to: relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational needs.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
We're looking for an energetic, charismatic leader who thrives on connecting with people from all walks of life—especially students. If you’re a natural relationship-builder with an entrepreneurial spirit and a bias for action, you’ll thrive in this dynamic, high impact role. This is a unique opportunity for a proactive changemaker who leads with confidence, creativity, and heart.
This is a senior leadership position with a high degree of autonomy, creative opportunity, and partnership with the university, major stakeholders, and senior leadership. As Sheil enters a new chapter of growth and strategic development, the Director of Mission Impact & Donor Relations will play a critical role in shaping the future of Catholic presence on campus. Key Responsibilities Development Leadership (35%) Serve as the chief mission animator, with the Chaplain, in telling the impactful stories of the students of the Sheil Catholic Center to highlight the vibrancy of the mission to our donors and across all mission platforms. Develop and implement a long-term, mission-centered development strategy & roadmap inclusive of annual giving, major gifts, alumni engagement, planned giving, grants, and capital campaigns. Build and steward relationships with major donors, associates, alumni, parents, faculty/staff, foundations, and friends of the ministry. Use data analytics and customer relationship management (CRM) tools to identify donor trends, segment audiences, and measure fundraising effectiveness. Partner with the Chaplain, Campaign Cabinet, and stakeholders to set and achieve fundraising goals. Promote and grow planned giving and legacy giving programs. Community Engagement & Donor Relations (30%) Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, conducting personal outreach and gift solicitations (typically $15,000+). Design and implement stewardship strategies, including personalized donor communications and impact reporting. Collaborate with ministry staff to share compelling stories of student formation and mission impact. Actively participate in community engagement events to further share the story and mission of Sheil including student-focused retreats, service trips, and other key community gatherings.
Events & Campaigns (15%) Lead successful execution of signature fundraising events, including the Adelante Gala and alumni gatherings. Plan and promote strategic donor and community engagement initiatives. Oversee fundraising appeals and stewardship campaigns (print, digital, in person).
Database Management & Analytics (10%) Maintain and enhance donor databases (ParishSOFT, GiveCentral, Greater Giving), ensuring accuracy and segmentation. Analyze, giving data and trends, to inform strategy and track performance. Collaborate with Operations staff to optimize online giving platforms.
Team Leadership & Administration (10%) Manage two direct reports: Director of Mission Engagement and Coordinator of Mission Services & Hospitality, and ensure team alignment with the overall vision for mission impact storytelling and donor relations. Cultivate relationships with Northwestern University partners and the Archdiocese of Chicago. Support budget planning and performance reporting related to development Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in related field or CFRE certification preferred. Minimum 5–7 years of fundraising experience, ideally in higher education, faith based, or nonprofit settings. Strong communication skills—written, oral, and digital. Experience leveraging CRM systems and fundraising analytics to drive strategy. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic design/marketing tools. Active and practicing Catholic with a personal commitment to faith and enthusiasm for campus ministry. Collaborative, self-starting leader with high emotional intelligence and integrity. Willingness to participate in occasional evening or weekend events, including student-focused retreats, service trips, and other key community gatherings, to fully engage with and support the mission and lived experience of the Sheil Catholic Center. Preferred Attributes Charismatic and approachable presence with the ability to inspire trust and enthusiasm in conversations, presentations, and events. Familiarity with the needs and rhythms of university student life. Creative thinker with experience in social media, digital engagement, and community-building. Knowledge of donor psychology, segmentation, and user-centered design in fundraising. Proven ability to lead through influence, motivate teams, and contribute to a culture of collaboration and initiative. Entrepreneurial thinker with a track record of creating and executing new ideas, campaigns, or systems to advance mission impact. Skilled storyteller who can translate student experiences and program impact into compelling narratives for donor audiences. Action-oriented, hands-on leader who is energized by rolling up their sleeves and making things happen.
Compensation and Benefits Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, paid vacation, and professional development. Opportunities for spiritual enrichment and formation. The Archdiocese of Chicago offers a comprehensive total rewards package to include competitive compensation and benefit programs. Information about our benefit programs is available here. This position has an annualized salary range of -
$65,000.00 - $73,000.00 . An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on many factors including but not limited to: relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational needs.
#J-18808-Ljbffr