The mission of the Augustine Institute is to provide graduate students a coherent and unified instruction in Scripture, Catholic doctrine and history, as well as the pedagogical and leadership skills to impart the same to others. Under the patronage of St. Augustine of Hippo and in imitation of St. Thomas Aquinas, the patron of teachers and common doctors, the instructors and students of the Institute endeavor to place themselves under God's grace for the purpose of being formed in memory, intellect and will, into effective instruments for the renewal of Catholic culture by a union of faith and life in the New Evangelization. The whole of this task is undertaken in a spirit of filial obedience to the pastors of the Church and in full submission to the Magisterium.

The Augustine Institute's unique curriculum meets the unique needs of our time by blending study of Scripture and theology with analysis of the current culture and the practical skills necessary to help students to present the timeless Gospel of Jesus Christ in a timely way to people.

The CDO directs all aspects of the fundraising program for the Institute with particular attention to the major and planned giving programs for the organization and plays a significant role in the planning, strategic direction, and implementation of all capital campaigns, This individual maintains primary responsibility for providing leadership in planning, marketing, coordinating, and implementing all aspects of the major and planned gift programs and works closely and collaboratively with the President and Board members by initiating a highly organized major gift moves management program.

In an atmosphere where the organization is moving forward with a major expansion of facilities and services, the CDO will play a highly critical role in achieving the success that the President, the Board, and the community envision. The CDO will work closely with the President and Board members in providing guidance, counsel, and strategy with the cultivation/solicitation process. While the CDO will also provide professional advice and counsel to other phases of the organization’s full-service development effort, when requested, the primary function, on a daily and annual basis, remains focused on the cultivation of high wealth individuals capable of making significant major and planned gifts for annual priorities or campaign goals.

The Chief Development Officer is a leader and role model in effective major and planned gift cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. The CDO develops plans, directs and implements all aspects of the major and planned gifts program in conjunction with the President and Board members.

In effective performance of this role, the CDO develops annual and long-range comprehensive strategic development business plans clearly detailing goals, objectives, schedules and budgets for major and planned gifts production consistent with the vision and mission of the Augustine Institute. The CDO reports regularly to the President and Board of Directors on progress in the achievement of those plans.

Major & Planned Gifts

Focuses the organization’s development activities on securing major and planned gifts:

• Participates in case development and annual planning for major gifts initiatives.

• Works with the President, Board members and staff to be increasingly alert in the identification of prospects and to regularly strategize on their cultivation; mine current and former annual giving donors and event attendees for the identification of major gift prospects.

• Using all professional tools possible, identifies new donor prospects, manages donor research activity and creates strategy for initial contact.

• Sets production standards and supervises a system for monitoring progress in deepening relationships with major gift prospects.

• Oversees the preparation of written proposals, information materials, endowment agreements, and other materials needed to secure major gifts, pledges and grants.

• Prepare materials and talking points for the marketing of planned gift; identify prospects that are particularly well-suited to a planned gift; create relationships with local trust attorneys and financial planners to inform them of planned giving opportunities with Augustine Institute.

• Conduct informational seminars for planned giving prospects to outline the various vehicles commonly used and the benefits of each.

• Spearheads the appropriate creation and adoption of major and planned gift acceptance policies.

• Ensures the cooperative participation of the Board, staff and administrative leadership in the organization’s prospect identification, management and tracking system.

• Maintains a personal portfolio of major gift prospects.

• Directly participates in cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of the institution’s most significant major gifts.

• Coordinate with the President, Board members, and administrative leadership the existing and future naming opportunities within the organization to include a consistent recognition system.

Campaigns

The CDO provides leadership in the planning, feasibility studies, identification of principal donor prospects and leadership gift prospects, implementation, phasing, and accounting of all capital campaign initiatives:

• Works with Board as counsel to identify projects that are most suitable for campaigning.

• Serves as lead executive staff in the direction of campaign dynamics.

• Participate in developing a comprehensive stewardship program to appropriately recognize donors within standard guidelines and reinforce continued giving and involvement with the Augustine Institute.

Communication

• A bachelor’s degree and at least ten years of progressive, successful fundraising experience in major and planned gift programs, including leadership experience in major capital campaigns.

• Senior-level management experience and the ability to effectively build a cohesive major gift/planned giving program that achieves development goals and objectives.

• Demonstrated management skills to organize, direct, motivate, and evaluate the efforts of professionals and volunteers.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work harmoniously with the President, Board members, senior administration, program leaders, donors, and volunteers.

• Ability to participate constructively and harmoniously with other senior management and staff in devising, analyzing, implementing and evaluating the organization’s overall needs.

• Strong fiscal skills and knowledge of standard gift accounting principles.

• An accomplished development professional dedicated to the field as a career and capable of building respect for the organization internally and externally.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate persuasively, orally and in writing, the importance of philanthropy and the fundraising goals of the organization to individuals, groups, corporate leaders, and foundations.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

• A high level of initiative and energy.

• Ability to think critically and articulate opinions.

• Ability to become acquainted with key donors in a short timeframe.

• A “hands-on” approach to the responsibilities of the position.

• Unquestionable integrity and a strong sense of professional ethics.

• Knowledgeable about information systems and current business office software and donor records systems to strengthen internal donor tracking and call reporting.

• Ability to embrace the mission, philosophy and values of the organization.

• Professional work history in a Catholic organization.

• Experience working in philanthropy at a higher education institution.