Associate, Development

BACKGROUND

The Chicago Public Education Fund (The Fund) supports public schools by investing in the talented educators who lead them. As an independent nonprofit organization, we partner with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the City of Chicago, the local philanthropic community, principals, and aspiring principals to build and sustain a strong leadership culture. For more than two decades, our supportive program and policy efforts and our willingness to innovate alongside educators have made a measurable, positive impact on the quality of leadership in schools and helped educators support student learning. In our current campaign, Chicago Leads, we will raise and invest $50M to deepen and strengthen leadership in Chicago’s 636 public schools.

Organizational Values

We are solutions-oriented. We approach our work with a proactive and productive mindset. Challenges are part of the work; we aim for continuous improvement.

We are collaborative. We understand that each team member relies on others to achieve goals. We ask for help when we need it and provide help when asked. The organization, as a whole, is more significant than any one of us alone.

We act with integrity. We say what we will do, and we do what we say. We are honest about what we know and what we are learning; this helps us achieve the best possible outcomes.

We prioritize equity. Our work prioritizes leaders who serve and represent communities most directly impacted by structural racism and systematic exclusion. On our team, we actively recruit and hire for diversity in all areas of identity. Our commitments are lived out loud.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Development Associate plays a cross-functional role in advancing The Fund’s institutional fundraising strategy, stewardship, governance support, and data integrity. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Development, this position supports the full lifecycle of foundation, corporate, and individual fundraising—from stewardship and renewals to prospecting, proposal development, systems optimization, and governance coordination—ensuring accuracy, coordination, and follow-through.

Following the 2023 launch of the Chicago Leads campaign, The Fund is now focused on stewardship, reporting, and renewals to sustain long-term funder relationships through 2030 and beyond. As the organization prepares for its next phase of fundraising growth, including increased prospecting and proposal activity beginning in 2027, this role will prioritize reporting, renewals, and infrastructure-building in the near term, gradually shifting toward expanded proposal writing and new solicitations.

This is a high-ownership, detail-intensive role that translates strategy and impact into compelling, data-driven communications while strengthening the systems that support long-term fundraising success.

Stewardship, Reporting & Funder Communications

Deliver timely, accurate, and personalized stewardship that strengthens funder relationships, supports governance bodies, and enables effective leadership engagement.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and maintain core stewardship materials and updates for Board and Leadership Council members, including administration of the annual Board Survey, synthesis of survey results, preparation of Board stewardship updates, and maintenance of Leadership Council website content.
• Manage end-to-end logistical coordination for governance- and donor-facing events, including space reservations, catering orders, vendor coordination, printing of materials, and on-site readiness.
• Support Board and Leadership Council prospecting, including identification, research, internal coordination, and preparation of briefing materials to support leadership decision-making and outreach strategies.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date governance rosters and Outlook distribution lists, ensuring Board and Leadership Council members are correctly reflected in calendars, invitations, and contact lists.
• Support acknowledgment letter workflows for institutional funders in partnership with the Senior Manager of Development.
• Track all stewardship deliverables and funder touchpoints in Raiser’s Edge.
• Prepare and coordinate funder reports and updates in collaboration with Program, Policy, and Finance teams.
• Maintain consistency in tone, messaging, and data across all funder-facing materials.

Organizational Initiatives, Systems & Committee Support

Support organizational initiatives, fundraising systems, governance, and data accuracy across the Development function.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the CEO and other chiefs, directors, and senior managers to support cross-organizational fundraising initiatives, partnerships, and strategic alliances.
• Provide high-quality coordination and documentation support for priority organizational initiatives that advance The Fund’s mission and fundraising strategy.
• Support preparation of materials, research, and presentations for Board and committee meetings, including the GOFA (Governance, Operations, Finance & Audit) committee.
• Provide calendaring and coordination support for Senior Manager of Development external meetings, including donor, partner, and stakeholder engagements.
• Prepare concise emails and meeting packets for donor and external meetings, including briefing memos and tailored decks, with a standard 24-hour turnaround when needed.
• Build and maintain fundraising and gift reports in Raiser’s Edge to support Development meetings, leadership reviews, and decision-making.
• Lead a Monthly Financial Review and Raiser’s Edge reconciliation in coordination with Finance to ensure audit readiness and accurate revenue reporting.
• Oversee gift entry in Raiser’s Edge, ensuring timely, accurate coding and compliance with donor intent.
• Coordinate the drafting, design review, and approval of donor acknowledgment letters, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and brand alignment.

Grant Proposal Management & Institutional Renewals

Lead the full grant proposal process to secure renewed and increased institutional support.

Responsibilities

• Manage all stages of grant development, including research, concept notes, proposals, renewals, and submissions.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date tracking of proposals, deadlines, submissions, and renewals across Microsoft Excel, Raiser’s Edge, and Monday.com.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Program, Policy, Communications, and Finance teams to produce high-quality, data-driven proposals aligned with The Fund’s strategy and the Chicago Leads campaign.
• Use AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot) to improve efficiency, clarity, and consistency in proposal drafting and revisions, and to reduce the number of edits required.
• Partner closely with the Senior Manager of Development and the finance team to accurately track solicitations, projections, and commitments.
• Prepare proposal updates and summaries for internal Development reporting, the Board, and senior leadership.

Foundation & Corporate Prospect Pipeline Development

Build and manage a strong pipeline of new funders to support near- and long-term revenue growth.

Responsibilities

• Identify, research, and qualify new foundation, family foundation, and corporate prospects using iWave, Raiser’s Edge, and AI research tools
• Develop concise donor and prospect profiles, including giving history, alignment, and engagement strategy.
• Support creation of customized cultivation materials (pitch decks, one-pagers, corporate booklets).
• Coordinate with Communications and Program teams to align funder engagement with key events and moments.
• Ensure all prospecting activity, outreach, and follow-up is documented in Raiser’s Edge and or Monday.com.

Candidate Qualifications

Candidates who may not fit all of the qualifications listed above are still encouraged to apply.

Required qualifications:

• Evidence of strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills or strong data systems and CRM management skills; experience in both areas is welcome but not required.
• Ability to prepare clean, compelling slide presentations; design experience is strongly preferred.
• Ability to translate data, research, or policy into accessible, funder-facing communications.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong project management, deadline management, and follow-through skills.
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Preferred qualifications:

• A minimum of two years of professional experience, preferably in development, advancement, sales, or another relationship-driven field.
• Experience identifying and researching institutional funders using iWave or similar tools (preferred).
• Experience working with nonprofit CRMs; Raiser’s Edge expertise is a strong plus, though not required for all candidates.
• Familiarity with Chicago’s public education landscape is preferred but not required.

COMPENSATION

The salary band for an Associate at The Fund starts at $59,000 and there is room to grow to $74,000 over time based on a strong ability to regularly exceed expectations and market adjustments. The Fund offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package, including healthcare coverage, retirement contribution, generous paid-time-off for all team members, and paid short-term and family leave. Please note that The Fund team is an in-person organization, working out of our offices in downtown Chicago. We offer one work-from-home day per week. This position will require some evening and weekend hours.

TO APPLY

The position is available immediately, and we are actively seeking candidates. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through March 20, 2026. Applying early increases your chances of being invited for an interview, with the interview process set to begin the second week of March 2026.

The Chicago Public Education Fund is an equal opportunity employer. The Fund evaluates applicants for employment based on qualifications, merit, and work-related criteria without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disabilities, pregnancy, childbirth, medical condition, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Fund employs and values a diverse work environment.

The Fund offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package, including healthcare coverage, retirement contributions, generous paid-time-off for all team members, and paid short-term and family leaves.