Position Title: Donor Engagement Specialist
Reports To: Director of Development
Mission Statement: Thomas More Society (TMS) is a not-for-profit, national public interest law firm dedicated to defending life, family, and freedom. Based in Chicago, Thomas More Society defends and fosters support for these causes by providing high quality pro-bono legal services from local trial courts all the way to the United States Supreme Court.
Logistics: Position will be located on-site at the TMS headquarters in downtown Chicago.
Position Summary: The Donor Engagement Specialist at Thomas More Society will develop and implement strategies to engage and retain mid-level donors, create major donor proposals, and support the Development Directors with research and event management. This role involves managing donor communications, overseeing database accuracy, and promoting legacy giving initiatives, while enabling the Development Department to track revenue and ROI. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, a creative mindset, and a commitment to the mission of TMS.
Responsibilities:
Donor Engagement
o Create and implement donor engagement strategies to retain and upgrade donor support, such as seasonal touchpoints and impact reports for major and mid-level donors.
o Responsible for thank-you calls and notes to donors giving $1,000 - $4,999.
o Encourage ongoing donor support of TMS by maintaining accurate updates on charity evaluation platforms (e.g., Candid/Guidestar and Charity Navigator) and ensuring distinguished seals are visible on digital and printed assets.
Major Gift Support
o Collaborate with the Development and Marketing Team to create major donor proposals for gifts of $25,000 or more.
o Assist in qualifying mid-level donors for major gift portfolios.
o Manage private receptions to support the work of regional directors; make recommendations on event planning based on donor analysis and predictive ROI.
o Notify Development Directors of smaller gifts made by donors with significant net worth to grow the relationship with appropriate stewardship.
Legacy Society
o Develop and execute a strategic plan to establish the Thomas More Legacy Society for donors who include TMS in their estate plans.
o Collaborate with the Marketing Team to promote the Legacy Society and grow membership through printed and digital collateral, a landing page, and a communications plan.
o Acknowledge legacy members periodically to maintain engagement.
Database Management
o Oversee the accuracy and integrity of donor data in the database (Donor Perfect preferred), ensuring timely updates and reliable reporting.
o Enable the Development Department to independently generate revenue and progress reports by maintaining comprehensive donor records and tracking key metrics.
o Produce monthly revenue updates and ROI analyses for Development Director portfolios, highlighting fundraising performance and stewardship outcomes.
Experience and Skill Requirements:
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Excellent writing and speaking skills.
• A spirit of empathy and optimism when interacting with current and potential donors.
• Creative thinker and self-starter with ambition to grow major gift donors.
• Strong database management skills - Donor Perfect experience preferred, with the ability to generate actionable reports independently.
• Some travel may be required for donor events.
Mission Requirements:
• Supportive of TMS positions on life, family, and freedom.
• Active faith life in accord with Christian teachings.
