Freelance Christian International Development Jobs

Cross Catholic Outreach is a Catholic ministry with an ecumenical staff of Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox believers working in unity to provide food, water, housing, education, orphan support, medical care, micro-enterprise, and disaster relief, and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ to the poorest of the poor in more than 30 countries around the world. We believe strongly in unifying Christians in this mission of mercy, and we believe that creating a welcoming work environment for all Christian faiths is essential to achieving our ministry goals.

Best Christian Workplace Certified 2026

Position Title: International Development Associate (Level 1)

Department: Major Donors

Reports to: International Development Manager

Position Location: (Remote)

Position Type:

Position Summary:

The International Development Associate is responsible for attracting donors, strengthening relationships, and increasing giving levels among Cross Catholic Outreach’s Leadership Annual Giving Program. As an integral part of the fundraising team, the International Development Associate will identify, cultivate, solicit, steward, and expand relationships between the organization and its donors at all levels – with a particular focus on mid-level/major donors and prospects giving between $500 and $5,000 annually. The focus of this position is to identify and deepen long-term relationships built on a firm understanding of donor interests, passions, and values. This position will enhance the pipeline of major donor prospects by managing a portfolio of approximately 500-750 donors and prospects with expected annual giving in the $500 - $5,000 range.

Educational or Certification Requirements:

·       Bachelor's Degree preferred, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience

Experience Requirements:

·        Minimum 1-2 years of successful professional fundraising experience with proven ability to obtain major gifts or equivalent experience in a related field with field sales or territory management.

·        Understanding of fundraising as a stewardship ministry.

Knowledge, Skills, & Character Required:

·        Is a consistent witness for Jesus Christ; maintains a courteous, Christ-like attitude in dealing with people within and outside of the ministry.

·         Feels a calling to serve God through serving Cross Catholic Outreach in this capacity.

·         Believes in and supports the mission and ministry of Cross Catholic Outreach and agrees with the conduct policies and conduct expectations of Cross Catholic Outreach.

·        A sound working knowledge of fundraising principles.

·        Proven ability to work independently and effectively with donors and as part of a team.

·        Proven success in strategic planning and execution of major gifts campaigns.

·        Proven ability to work independently with a demonstrated ability to take initiative in effectively communicating Cross’ major donor projects and goals.

·        Proven ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and resolve problems quickly.

·        Sensitive to Christian-based fundraising.

·        Commitment to professional ethics in working with highly confidential, sensitive information.

·        Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to respond adeptly to rapidly changing priorities and the ability to work well under pressure.

·        Superior oral and written communication skills, as well as interpersonal, organizational, and motivational skills.

·        Database management skills and proficiency with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

·        Ability to travel internationally and domestically several times a year for meetings, donor visits, and gatherings within assigned regions as needed.

·        Ability to accompany donors on international vision/mission trips to visit Cross projects in developing countries.

Duties:

Relationship Management and Solicitation (65%)

·        Demonstrate a keen sense of curiosity for donors – seeking to discover what compels each donor to give substantially by engaging in a genuine relationship and asking the right questions; ability to personally adapt as needed to meet the needs of donors.

·        Manage a portfolio of approximately 500-750 donors and prospects to achieve performance targets on calls, proposals, solicitations, and engagement opportunities.

·        Act as primary relationship manager for individual donors and prospects to reach or exceed annual funding goals; increase donor engagement and commitment to the organization through an active schedule of moves management with donors including phone calls, personalized email communications, ongoing written contact, visits, and events.

·        Manage campaign and other fundraising communication streams to major donors in assigned regions through thoughtful review of campaign/annual report mailing lists.

·        Analyze portfolio and strategize upgrades with a custom cultivation strategy for key donors.

·        Utilize pre-existing content, such as email, newsletters, website, social media, and/or video content, to create personalized touch points for donors based on their interests and giving. Determines which donors would benefit from more personalization and increased frequency of contact.

Cultivation and Stewardship (25%)

·        Cultivate donor relationships through frequent personal contact including phone calls, prayer with the donor, personal notes, and e-mail; regularly review lapsing donors in an effort to re-engage.

·        Plan and implement appropriate offerings such as office visits/tours, mission and vision trips, company/church involvement, friend and family campaigns, receptions, gatherings, and other events and activities.

·        Facilitate access to other ministry departments.

·        Actively thank donors for support through review of weekly gift reports; call and welcome major donors within a week of receiving them into the region; include personal notes with updates to key donors.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Documentation (10%)

·        Monitor weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual activity to achieve major gift revenue goals; provide accurate and timely pipeline reports.

·        Constructively share donor feedback to improve processes and marketing strategies.

·        Uphold set process protocol for organization and department related to donor records and accurate documentation of all interactions with donors.

·        This role requires the ability to perform standard office functions, including prolonged sitting, standing, and computer use. Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving materials weighing up to 20 pounds may be required.  

·        This position may require occasional domestic and/or international travel to attend meetings, trainings, conferences, or organizational events. Travel may be conducted by airplane, automobile, bus, or other reasonable means. Travel frequency is expected to be limited and scheduled in advance when possible.

·        Other duties as assigned.

Cross Catholic Outreach is a 501c3 Catholic relief and development ministry that provides food, shelter, medical care, water, education, self-help programs, care for orphans, and emergency relief to the poorest of the poor around the world in the name of Christ.

We mobilize the global Catholic Church to transform the poor and their communities materially and spiritually for the glory of Jesus Christ. Cross Catholic Outreach’s priority is to help “the poorest of the poor.” Our efforts reach those suffering extreme poverty in countries throughout the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Projects include relief for earthquake, flood, and tsunami victims, care and education for orphans and other vulnerable children, housing for the homeless, medicines and health care for the indigent, food for families suffering extreme malnutrition, and clean water for communities that have none, as well as micro-enterprise programs and other long-term development efforts to break the cycle of poverty.

In every case, our method of outreach is the same: Cross Catholic locates needy Catholic-based ministries serving the poor and distributes material aid through their existing programs. In this way, we can supply meaningful help where it is needed most. In all our work we remain dedicated in our service to the Lord as good stewards of His resources in every challenge we seek to overcome. We partner with Dioceses all over the world.