Director of Partner Engagement in Wheaton, Illinois at Christianity Today

The Director of Partner Engagement is responsible for building and deepening relationships that result in transformational philanthropic investment. The director will secure major funds by fulfilling the passions and interests of high-capacity donors through giving opportunities that advance the mission of Christianity Today (CT) and contribute to initiatives. The director will steward active major donors and identify and cultivate potential donors in order to increase overall major giving, grow the major donor base, and ensure long-term donor engagement with the ministry.

Functions and Responsibilities

Major Gift & Donor Relationship Management

• Build and manage a strategic portfolio of approximately 75 principal and major gift donors and prospects giving over $5K annually, developing meaningful relationships and personalized strategies that result in increased retention, upgraded giving, and achievement of annual major gift revenue goals.
• Partner with the Partner Engagement Manager and SVP of Mission Advancement to strategically transition, qualify, and cultivate emerging major gift prospects, ensuring a seamless movement from mid-level engagement into personalized major gift relationships.
• Create individual giving goals and stewardship/ask plans relevant for each donor within the assigned caseload, based on the individual donor’s passions, interests, motivations, giving history, and giving capacity. Consider various areas of giving, including planned giving vehicles like wills, non-cash assets like stock, etc. Execute these plans in a timely, cost-effective manner resulting in the upgrading of average gifts and improved donor retention.
• Develop and maintain a major donor pipeline by identifying target areas/locations for major donor prospects through ongoing personal networking, CT events, prospect research, and the screening of CT’s current donor and subscriber databases. Determine those with the highest giving potential for the ministry, and in collaboration with the President and SVP of Mission Advancement, establish a “relationship manager” and a cultivation plan for each qualified prospect.
• Partner with the President, SVP of Mission Advancement, and Executive Assistant to strategically engage the President's Council, helping identify opportunities for meaningful relationship, philanthropic investment, and leadership participation.
• Maintain updated constituent records and provide monthly reports to accurately reflect meaningful connections and meetings, updates, and performance.

Strategic Advancement & Operations

• Strategically partner with the President and SVP of Mission Advancement to increase philanthropic engagement from the Board, President’s Council, and other groups.
• Collaborate with the President and SVP of Mission Advancement to craft strategic plans, annual budgets, and donor communications that achieve the long and short-term funding goals of the ministry.
• Support a donor event strategy in order to enhance CT’s vision and mission to advance the stories and ideas of the kingdom of God.
• Stay current on fundraising best practices, including major gifts, endowments, non-cash asset gifts, and planned giving.
• Perform additional job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10+ years fundraising and major gifts experience
• Christian nonprofit experience

Competencies and Additional Criteria

• Strategic major donor cultivation and proposal writing
• Proven track record of building donor relationships and personally soliciting and closing gifts of $25K–$100K+
• Complex relationship management
• Working with senior level executives
• Planned/asset giving familiarity
• Ability to independently build a portfolio strategy
• Ability to authentically represent the ministry’s mission, vision, and values
• Strong communicator; excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with high attention to detail
• Ability to travel two times a month on average

Employment Details

• CT headquarters are located in Wheaton, Illinois
• Work Location: Remote
• Type: Part Time, 24 hours per week
• Classification: Salaried, Exempt FLSA Status
• Benefits: CT offers a comprehensive benefits package - check out our careers page to learn more

Exact compensation may vary based on experience, skills, and location.