Director of Development

Position Summary

Elawa Farm Foundation seeks a strategic, relationship-oriented, and results-driven Director of Development to lead and grow the organization’s fundraising program. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development will direct a comprehensive fundraising strategy that increases contributed revenue, strengthens donor engagement, and builds long-term philanthropic support for Elawa’s mission and strategic priorities.

Following significant campus improvements and program expansion, Elawa is supporting this growth by expanding its contributed revenue. Currently, contributed revenue comprises about 30% of the approximate $5 million operating budget. The Director of Development will play a key role in continuing to build the fundraising infrastructure, donor pipeline, and philanthropic relationships necessary to sustain existing programs, expand mission impact, and support future initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy and Revenue Growth

• Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan aligned with Elawa’s strategic plan, operating budget, and long-term financial goals.
• Grow contributed revenue through individual giving, major gifts, annual fund campaigns, corporate sponsorships, grants, and special events.
• Build a diversified donor pipeline focused on donor acquisition, retention, increased giving, and long-term philanthropic support.
• Establish fundraising goals, monitor performance, and collaborate with the Executive Director to identify new funding opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director, Board, and Development Committee to establish, implement, and evaluate annual and long-term fundraising goals, strategies, milestones, and performance metrics. Serve as the primary liaison to the Board on fundraising initiatives and lead the Development Committee, alongside the Development Chair.

Direct Fundraising and Campaigns

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of individual donors, major gift prospects, corporate partners, and foundation funders.
• Develop and manage a donor portfolio for the Executive Director. Assist the Executive Director with portfolio management, including tracking deadlines, outreach, visit briefings, correspondence, and proposals as needed.
• Launch a new Donor Circle and naming bench program in early 2027.
• Lead annual fund campaigns, year-end appeals, and fundraising strategy for the annual fundraisers, including Summer Solstice and Harvest Benefit Dinner.
• Partner with the Executive Director and Board members on donor cultivation, solicitations, and relationship management.
• Develop compelling proposals, impact reports, and donor communications that demonstrate Elawa’s mission and impact.
• Implement a comprehensive donor stewardship program, including leveraging the newly implemented CRM system to automate outreach and stewardship tasks as appropriate.

Grants and Development Operations

• Identify and pursue foundation and corporate grant opportunities, including proposal development, submission, and reporting.
• Optimize the newly implemented CRM system and develop strategic donor segments to strengthen targeted outreach, cultivation, and fundraising efforts.
• Oversee the donor database and CRM, gift acknowledgments, donor records, fundraising communications, and development reporting.
• Maintain a fundraising calendar, track key performance indicators, and provide regular progress reports to the Executive Director and Board.
• Collaborate with Finance to ensure accurate gift records, revenue tracking, and reporting.

Board and Organizational Engagement

• Engage Board members and volunteers in fundraising, donor cultivation, sponsorship development, and philanthropic outreach.
• Work with program and operations leaders to identify funding priorities and communicate program outcomes to donors.
• Work with the communications team to ensure donor centric messaging is woven into Elawa’s overall communications strategy.
• Represent Elawa at donor meetings, community events, and networking opportunities.
• Support future capital campaigns and special fundraising initiatives as organizational priorities evolve.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• 7-10+ years of progressively responsible nonprofit fundraising or development experience in a nonprofit organization.
• Demonstrated success in growing contributed revenue, cultivating and soliciting major gifts, managing donor relationships, and implementing fundraising strategies.
• Experience with annual giving, grants, corporate sponsorships, fundraising campaigns, and donor stewardship.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proposal writing, grant applications, and donor communications.
• Experience managing, leveraging, and customizing donor databases/CRM systems, fundraising operations, and performance reporting. Experience using Bloomerang CRM and Bloomerang Fundraiser preferred.
• Proven ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with executive leadership, Board members, staff, volunteers, and external partners.
• Strong organizational, project management, and strategic planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Knowledge of and experience working with donors in Chicagoland and North Shore communities is preferred.

Position is eligible for medical, vision, and dental insurance, 401k with employer match after 1 year of employment, PTO, and paid holidays.