Development Officer

Organizational Overview

Our Mission, Vision, and Values

Communities In Schools (CIS) of Chicago is the leading nonprofit in Chicago dedicated to removing barriers so that students can unlock their potential and stay on the path to graduation. Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Our vision is to ensure that every public-school student in Chicago graduates from high school prepared to succeed.

Our organization’s core values are Impact, Integrity, Relationships, and Social Justice. CIS of Chicago was founded in 1988, and is an affiliate of Communities In Schools, Inc., a national nonprofit organization with offices in more than 150 different cities.

Our Expected Impact in 2021–2022

During the current 2021–2022 school year, CIS of Chicago is partnering with 175 Chicago public schools and expects to connect whole-school essential services and programs that reach more than 40,000 young people. At 30 of these schools, we also embed a full-time Student Supports Managers to provide approximately 1,350 students at the highest risk of falling off track in school with direct, intensive, and tailored case management support.

Position Description – Development Officer

The Development Officer is a vital member of our Development Team, reporting to the Senior Gift Officer. The position is multi-faceted and a pivotal part of our organization’s growth. He/she/they will have frontline responsibility for delivering results from a portfolio of annual fund donors and prospects; working with the Development team and select members of CIS of Chicago’s leadership groups to leverage relationships; and be external facing in cultivation and development of new donors.

Responsibilities include:

• Identify and cultivate prospective donors; solicit, close and steward gifts of $5,000+, primarily focused on individuals, and including select companies and foundations, as needed.
• Support the organization’s growth campaign by identifying prospects with the capacity to make a multi-year campaign commitment of $25,000+
• Manage a portfolio of more than 50 donors, providing ongoing stewardship and engagement opportunities
• Work with select members of Board of Directors and Leadership Council to leverage and manage donor relationships to grow the major gifts pipeline and steward current donors
• Write/prepare letters of request, donor proposals, and other donor communication
• Support a culture of gratitude in donor cultivation and stewardship
• Other duties as assigned as part of a collaborative team

Desired Characteristics:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in fundraising or a related field, with strong track record of success; preference given to candidates with direct fundraising or sales experience
• Bachelor’s degree
• Capacity to interact comfortably with major donors and our Board Directors and Leadership Council
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• Superior writing and organizational skills with exceptional follow-through abilities
• Ability to create and implement new programs and opportunities for donors/clients/customers.

Work Environment: This position is a full-time, year-round position and follows CIS of Chicago’s holiday and vacation time calendar and corresponding policies. Currently, the work environment is hybrid (20 hours at CIS of Chicago headquarters / 20 hours remote), which may be adjusted at the discretion of CIS of Chicago leadership. Candidate must be available to work occasional evenings and weekends.

To apply or for additional information, please write or email (no faxes or phone calls):

Senior Gift Officer

Communities In Schools of Chicago

815 W. Van Buren Street, Ste. 300

Chicago, IL 60607

jobs@cisofchicago.org - please write "Development Officer 2022" in subject line to ensure that application materials get directed appropriately.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to addresses above for consideration.

CIS of Chicago provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.