Sharing the Gospel since 1926

Situated in Royal Oak, the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica is the spiritual home of 4,500 families and thousands more who visit us every year.

In 2014, Pope Francis granted the National Shrine of the Little Flower the honorary title of ‘Minor Basilica’. The title of basilica is given to churches around the world to denote a particular importance in liturgical and pastoral life, historical significance, architectural beauty, and liturgical renown.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Development Director of the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica is responsible for planning, initiating and managing all Development activities for the Basilica as well as acting as a Development Consultant to the President of the Shrine Catholic Schools.

As the lead development officer, this position reports to the Parish Pastor. The responsibilities include overseeing the donor database, coordinating and overseeing the Annual Appeals, supporting weekly offering initiatives, providing support to the Pastor with regard to identifying prospective major donors and assisting outside consultants with resources relative to the Capital Campaign.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Work with the Development Committee in the creation and achievement of specific measurable objectives driven by the financial goals of Shrine Basilica Leadership. Reports provided on a monthly/quarterly basis to track goals and progress. Ensure accurate and up to date recordkeeping in all associated databases.
The Development Manager will work closely with the Head of Schools on a coordinated fundraising approach while keeping in mind the overlap of donors made up of parishioners, school families and alumni.
Supervise, train, mentor and evaluate the Development Assistant whose role will provide support to the Development Manager and the department.
The Development Manager partners with the Development Committee whose primary responsibility is assisting with the fundraising for the Parish.
An ongoing responsibility will be to develop and implement a plan to recruit, train and activate volunteer fundraising leadership and administrative help as needed.
Ensures all gifts from donors are promptly recorded and tracked in the appropriate database(s) and accurately and promptly acknowledged.
Works closely with the Finance Director ensuring financial integrity of all reports and fund tracking.
Works with the Pastor and the Shrine Director of Communications to ensure all Development Appeals/Programs are conducted in a timely manner. Ensure results of programs are communicated in a timely manner to the donors and any other appropriate/interested parties.
Provide necessary support and direction with regard to National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica Capital Campaign.
Actively support the Mission, Vision and Values of the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica and the Catholic faith.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

Candidate must be a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing who actively demonstrates morals, values, integrity, and ethics consistent with the Catholic faith and the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica

EDUCATION EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree required

Work EXPERIENCE

A minimum of five years experience fundraising with experience with donor databases, annual appeals and major gift prospects. Capital campaign experience preferred.
Leadership experience specifically with volunteer committees and support staff positions is preferred.

Other Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships across several generations and diverse demographics to motivate people to make significant gifts.

Demonstrated ability to synthesize information and communicate it in an accurate and compelling form, both oral and written.
Demonstrated ability to project a polished and professional appearance using appropriate manners and etiquette.
Ability to work as a valued team member while maintaining a strong sense of responsibility for achieving individual fundraising goals.
Proficient in computer application skills including donor tracking, spreadsheets, word processing, planning, scheduling and database programs.
Maintains strict confidentiality and adherence to audit/compliance requirements and donor privacy.
Actively demonstrates morals, values, integrity and ethics consistent with the Catholic faith/the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica.

Apply

For more information, please contact Katherine Shubnell at 313.806.4005 or kshubnell@daudlinsearch.com

Our History

The National Shrine of the Little Flower has been operating as a parish in Royal Oak since 1926, named in honor of St. Thérèse de Lisieux.

In 1998, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops declared the site a National Shrine, one of only five in the country at the time. The designation recognizes a spiritual reality that’s existed at the parish for some time. The church has become a place of worship of extraordinary distinction and a spiritual home for many souls who come from all over to worship in its edifice.

On January 31, 2014, Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron announced that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, granted the title of Minor Basilica to the National Shrine of the Little Flower Church in Royal Oak.

The title is given to churches around the world to denote a particular importance in liturgical and pastoral life, historical significance, architectural beauty, and liturgical renown. The National Shrine of the Little Flower is the 82nd minor basilica in the United States. The title of Major Basilica is reserved to churches in Rome.

“By honoring the National Shrine of the Little Flower with the designation as a Minor Basilica, Pope Francis has blessed all of us in the Archdiocese of Detroit.” - Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron.