Vice President of Advancement

Vice President of Advancement

About Brightpoint

The mission of Brightpoint is to advance the well-being of children by investing in families to disrupt the systemic and multi-generational cycle of racial, social, and economic inequality.

Brightpoint's mission is rooted in the conviction that every individual deserves access to quality services, support, and resources that help them navigate life's challenges with dignity and confidence. As the organization strives to create a more just and equitable society, it remains steadfast in its resolve to support Illinois' most vulnerable families to create brighter futures where children can thrive.

Previously known as Children's Home & Aid, Brightpoint has been serving Illinois since 1883. Brightpoint is a leading human service organization that serves children and families across 70 Illinois counties with early childhood education, child welfare, family support, and mental health and wellness. Brightpoint understands that navigating obstacles such as poverty, trauma, and systemic barriers to equity can make this journey challenging, and as such they offer support through the highs and lows.

Brightpoint puts families and children at the forefront of every decision they make. With an emphasis on prevention, they are committed to working with families before small problems become life-altering crises. The Brightpoint team takes a data-driven approach to implement research-based solutions that have demonstrable, long-term positive outcomes and create brighter futures. With a budget of over $95 million, a staff of more than 900, and offices located across the state, the Brightpoint team is able to serve over 37,000 children and families each year with direct services and by linking them to a network of resources.

To learn more about Brightpoint's services, visit their website at https://www.brightpoint.org/.

The Opportunity

The Vice President of Advancement leads the development and implementation of an integrated resource development and advancement strategy to build the organization's financial resources, visibility, and reputational impact. This individual is responsible for raising private and public dollars in support of Brightpoint's annual operating budget and strategic funding priorities; directing volunteer engagement; and managing donor communication and marketing. The Vice President reports to the Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) and works closely with the CAO to implement organization-wide strategies to grow Brightpoint's funding. Part of an Advancement team of sixteen, the Vice President oversees a team of three Director-level direct reports, in addition to managing a portfolio of major donors.

Candidate Profile

We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

Strategic Fundraising and Resource Development

• Plans, implements, and oversees fundraising activities including major gifts, annual giving, special events, corporate and foundation relations, prospect research, planned giving, donor communications, volunteer engagement, and e-philanthropy.
• Oversees and maintains a personal portfolio of major donors.
• Staffs the CAO and CEO in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donor portfolios.
• Implements innovative and diversified revenue streams, emphasizing sustainable unrestricted funding.
• Plans, launches, and completes successful campaigns (programmatic, endowment, and capital) aligned with the strategic plan.
• Maintains gift policies and protocols that support fundraising goals.

Leadership, Team Management, and Staff Development

• Supervises and supports the Director of Development, Director of Development Operations, Director of Institutional Advancement, and other assigned staff.
• Oversees hiring, onboarding, training, and professional development of team members.
• Conducts performance management including evaluations, improvement plans, and personnel actions.
• Develops and mentors staff to perform at a high level and align with Brightpoint's mission and values.
• Provides a secure base, maintains program standards, and facilitates effective team functioning.
• Participates as a member of Brightpoint's Leadership Team, contributing to agency-wide strategy and alignment.

Program Integration and Cross-Department Collaboration

• Oversees alignment and collaboration between private funding, public grants and contracts, advocacy, and research to ensure family-centric program development.
• Supports senior leaders with reporting and compliance for public and private funders.
• Works closely with internal stakeholders to integrate advancement strategies with organizational goals and initiatives.

Data-Driven Strategy, Evaluation, and Operations

• Collects, reviews, and analyzes data on donors, funders, and fundraising activities to inform decisions and performance improvements.
• Evaluates advancement results and leads ongoing process and outcome improvements.
• Assists in developing and managing the advancement department's operating budget.
• Collaborates with the External Affairs team on donor marketing and communications to support advancement goals and brand alignment.External Representation
• Represents Brightpoint to external partners, donors, and community groups, articulating the agency's mission and impact.
• Recruits and engages volunteer leadership to strengthen fundraising effectiveness.
• Ensures that all advancement efforts reflect and advance the organization's commitment to equity, inclusion, and community-centered impact.

Passion for the Mission of Brightpoint

• Embodies Brightpoint's values and mission and inspires and motivates others to push the mission forward in a collaborative manner.
• Catalyzes others' commitment to advance the wellbeing of children by investing in families to disrupt the systemic and multi-generational cycle of racial, social, and economic inequality.
• Leads by examples with an understanding that, at times, empathy is an essential quality.
• Takes a future-focused approach to determine how to best adapt the organization to its changing environment while staying true to the mission of Brightpoint.

In addition, strong candidates will offer:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8+ years' related experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years' supervisory experience required.
• Proven success in setting the strategy for and managing a comprehensive advancement program, including donor acquisition campaigns, capital campaigns, annual fund, planned giving and special gifts required.
• Campaign experience and strength in major gifts required.
• Proven experience with securing planned gifts required.
• A proven track record of meeting fundraising goals using a wide variety of strategies required.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex environment.
• Ability to plan for, meet, and exceed fundraising goals from multiple sources and using a variety of strategies, including capital campaigns, major gifts, annual fund, planned giving and special events.
• Ability to set priorities and leverage staff, board and volunteers to achieve shared goals.
• High emotional intelligence and a strong understanding of inclusive leadership principles, relationship-based leadership models, and their application in diverse organizational settings.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire, influence, and engage diverse internal and external stakeholders in advancing the organization's mission.
• Strong organizational and strategic thinking skills, with exceptional attention to detail in managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Initiative, self-motivation and consistent follow-through.
• Intermediate/advanced computer skills, including Microsoft 365 and Outlook, Raiser's Edge, wealth screening, and develops competency with applicable web-based systems used by the program within the first 90 days of employment.
• Respect and acceptance of diverse individuals and communities served by, working in partnership with, or employed by Brightpoint including but not limited to race, gender, ethnicity, social-economic status, and LGBTQIA+ populations.
• Access to transit or other reliable transportation to execute the position's responsibilities is required.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $130,000 - $140,000and includes comprehensive benefits.

Contact

DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Paul Towne. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email NonprofitSearchOps@divsearch.com. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

Brightpoint is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action. All employment activities are conducted in an equal and equitable fashion. The Agency prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, disability or handicap, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, source of income, and any other legally protected category in the recruitment, selection, hiring, determination of salary level and benefits, promotion, demotion, layoff, termination, and other terms and conditions of employment.

About DSG | Koya

DSG | Koya, a DSG Global company, is the nation's premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, DSG | Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. DSG | Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.DSG Global is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of "America's Best Executive Recruiting Firms" and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.

Learn more about DSG | Koya via the firm's website.

To apply, visit: https://www.dsgco.com/search/22665-brightpoint-vp-of-advancement/

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