Director of Development

Organization Overview: the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica

Our community of 75+ Benedictine sisters was founded in Atchison, Kansas, in 1863. Our service to God’s people flows from our primary ministry of daily prayer and the witness of our community life. Hospitality is important to us as we welcome guests into our chapels, dining room, and campus.  

The Director of Development will drive our fundraising efforts for our community life, including the care of our elderly sisters and our ministries. These ministries include Dooley Center and Sophia Spirituality Center in Atchison and Keeler Women’s Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Through these avenues we seek to meet the spiritual needs of all who come to us.   

Job Description:

1. Oversee the Office of Development.
2. Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising and stewardship plan that includes 

• Soliciting major gifts
• On going development of planned giving
• Researching and writing grants
• Planning one signature fundraising event annually 

3. Initiate plans, procedures, and fundraising endeavors and write an Annual Fund Plan for funding the monastery and needs of the sisters, Sophia Spirituality Center and Keeler Women’s Center and have it approved by the Prioress and Monastic Council. 
4. Meet with Prioress regularly to determine goals and direction of Development Office.
5. Plan and evaluate fundraising campaigns and activities.
6. Supervise the fundraising process, communicate with donors and establish strong relationships with them. 
7. Manage the department’s budget and fundraising income programs.
8. Identify and maintain donor relationships.
9. Reflect the positive, respectful reputation of Mount St. Scholastica monastery.
10. Supervise the Development Office Staff and have regular meetings with them.
11. Stay current with fundraising trends and the nonprofit community.

Qualifications

1. BA (required), MA (a plus)
2. Five-plus years’ experience in development.
3. Experience with non-profits and familiarity with our Benedictine charism and mission.
4. Demonstrates excellence in organizational, managerial, as well as written and oral communication skills.
5. Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge, Word, Excel, other programs. 

Job Identification

• Supervisor:  Prioress (regular meetings)
• Hours of Work: 40 hours per week. Ordinarily Monday Friday 9:00-4:00.
• Flexibility as needed.  The heaviest times are from November 1 to January 15.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Chair the Development Advisory Board which is made up of sisters and lay members and meet with them regularly, adding new members as needed.
2. Meet with directors of our sponsored ministries at least twice a year to learn the impact and needs of their programs in order to set funding goals and determine ways of meeting those goals. Submit suggestions to the prioress and the Development Advisory Board for approval.
3. Create a robust stewardship program that maintains or improves our current strategies including:
   1. Timely thank you letters to donors
   2. Seasonal letters to donors soliciting names to pray for during
   3. December, Annual Appeal Letter (Prioress writes)
      • May/June, prayers for women and men. (Requests names of people to pray for)
      • November, All Soul’s Day (Requests names to pray for)
   4. Usage of Threshold Publications: Feb (News on Annual fundraiser) and Aug/Sept (Recognizes donors by name)

• Other duties as assigned by the prioress.
• Coordinate the annual major fundraiser with staff and the Development Advisory Board.
• Prepare the annual budget for the Development Office and present it to the monastery council for approval.
• Submit bills and monitor the monthly budget income and expenditures in coordination with the business office.
• Ensure data is kept up to date.
• Participate as much as is appropriate in the daily life of the monastery.