About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,600 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of approximately 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service & Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation.  We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries: The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union.

About the position

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. 

The position is responsible for directing an effective congregational generosity program leading to increased financial support for churchwide ministries from ELCA Congregations. This role is responsible to develop, implement, and assess strategies for the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of congregations to ELCA Churchwide Ministries including ELCA World Hunger, Lutheran Disaster Response, and designated giving to WNM ministries including Young Adults in Global Mission and Missionary Sponsorship. This role collaborates closely across the Annual Giving Leadership team to implement this strategy through communications, Leadership Circle, and guiding congregational prospect manager assignments to gift officers. Key collaborations for this role include the Synod and Congregational Support Team and ELCA Foundation to ensure consistent messaging with ELCA Congregations.

This is a full-time, regular, remote position.

Candidates for this position must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

1. Responsible for managing a portfolio of approximately 100 assigned congregations including developing plans for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gifts to ELCA Churchwide Ministries which are given in addition to Mission Support. 

2. Responsible for managing and tracking ongoing relationships and activities within Blackbaud CRM to ensure effective and appropriate stewardship.

3. Identify prospective congregations, in collaboration with Development Services team, to prioritize cultivation and solicitation for special gifts.

4. Oversee management of congregational prospects within the Leadership Circle and Major Gifts team with approximately 10 congregational assignments per gift officer including coordinating with peer leaders and review of congregational portfolios.

5. Collaborate with Congregation and Synod Support Staff for identifying congregations engaged in stewardship activities and/or capital campaigns to identify cultivation opportunities. 

6. Manage an event strategy for the cultivation and stewardship of congregational generosity including developing and/or promoting special events and identifying opportunities for event sponsorship and attendance.

7. Participate in meetings and retreats of the Annual Fund Team and wider Development group; participate in creation of cross-team strategies to raise money from donors at all levels; track fundraising metrics and activity in alignment with team and individual goals; implement new team initiatives.

8. Other duties as assigned.

1. 7+ years of experience in a related field, experience as a rostered minister in the ELCA preferred, or as a lay leader in an ELCA congregation/synod, with stewardship and/or fundraising including capital campaigns, gift development, donor stewardship, and moves management. Master’s degree in a theological field preferred; or any combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position and engage with congregational leadership. Certified Fund-Raising Executive credential preferred. (CFRE)

2. Understanding of and commitment to the mission, vision, values, goals, polity and theology of the ELCA. 

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 public speaking, written, and oral communication skills.

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

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

8. Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to Christian stewardship. 

Physical 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Employee will occasionally need to lift boxes or materials up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel 

Extensive travel is required to meet with congregational leaders and engage with congregations. Frequent travel over evenings and weekends. 

Benefits

The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care FSA’s, a health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer a generous paid time-off policy including 16 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date.

Contact

If you have questions about this job or your application, please complete this form to contact People Solutions (HR).

Salary

Commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience.