Chapter Job Center

Working within the Development Department, the Philanthropy Officer is responsible for implementing and maintaining the annual fund for the Erie City Mission. The Philanthropy Officer will lead donors toward a deeper understanding of the homeless needs in our community and challenge them to prayerfully respond to those needs through the work of our ministry. Working directly with individual donors, corporations, churches, and foundations, they will raise funds to support the programs and services of the Erie City Mission. Principal duties and responsibilities include developing and executing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for a 100–125-person portfolio.

This position also oversees the management of the Gifts Processor.

This role represents the Erie City Mission in a professional and polished manner when communicating with major donors, partners, and constituents. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, proactive, positive, confident, articulate, and highly professional while personable and friendly. This position requires a high level of discernment at all times.

The Development team within the Office of the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA Churchwide Organization is responsible for engaging donor members from across the ELCA ecology. Through Mission Support and Stewardship, Annual Giving, Institutional Giving, Transformational Giving, and the Development Services team, the Development team seeks to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors of all kinds as they support the variety of ministries the ELCA does as church together. 

This position is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding philanthropic support of the priority fundraising objectives from individuals for annual major gift support. The Mission Funding Director will manage a portfolio of 100-150 major gift prospects ($10K and above) and be responsible for cultivating and reaching annual fundraising goals.  A portion of the Mission Funding Director’s portfolio consists of the most generous congregations identified in collaboration with the Director, Congregational Generosity.

1. 5+ years of experience in a related field.  Bachelor’s degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. Certified Fund-Raising Executive credential recommended. (CFRE)

2. Extensive experience in capital campaigns, gift development, donor stewardship, and moves management. 

3. Demonstrated success in achieving fundraising goals.

4. Proven relationship-building skills and the ability to interact effectively with diverse constituencies. Ability to develop collaborative relationships across various departments, units, and expressions of the church.

5. Exceptional written and oral communication skills.

6. Demonstrated competency with Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, etc.), CRM or other donor management systems.

7. Understanding of and commitment to the mission, vision, values, and goals of the ELCA. 

8. Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to Christian stewardship. 

9. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.