Development Director

The Organization

Friends of the Children-Chicago (Friends-Chicago) is part of a national mentoring organization currently serving more than 40 communities and expanding. Our model is to impact generational change by empowering youth through relationships with professional mentors. We pair kindergartners facing the greatest obstacles with long-term, salaried, professional mentors to support their emotional, social, and academic growth. We walk beside our youth for 12.5 years – No Matter What. At Friends of the Children, we are a dynamic and lively team. We put children first and mobilize our values to change the way the world treats and views youth facing great barriers. We nurture long-term relationships from a foundation of love, acceptance, and culturally-informed practice.

Friends-Chicago works in communities most impacted by poverty and gun violence. Our administrative office and West Side Clubhouse are in the West Loop. We also have a South Side Clubhouse in Englewood. Friends-Chicago is in a period of exciting growth and expansion. We seek a Development Director to help the organization grow sustainably.

The Position

The Development Director (DD) is a frontline fundraising and donor services position, including the direct cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors. The DD manages a portfolio of individual and corporate prospects and leads the efforts to meet the fundraising and donor relations goals of Friends of the Children-Chicago. The DD is responsible for the creation and management of a comprehensive fundraising and donor communications plan, supervising a team of three development professionals, and consistently monitoring progress and adjusting work plans to achieve goals. The DD is a member of the Friends-Chicago leadership team and works with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to ensure the organization has the resources it needs to accomplish strategic objectives.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Development Planning & Management 25%

• Establish development department expense and revenue projections in partnership with Executive Director and Donor Relations Manager
• Oversee the creation and implementation of the Development Plan and calendar, including individual giving, foundation and government grants, events and communications
• Establish and monitor business objectives for the fundraising program and Development staff
• Actively seek new and creative opportunities for funding and sponsorship
• Oversee evaluation of fundraising program and adjust fundraising plans as needed
• Supervise and provide leadership to the development staff, including the Donor Relations Manager, Grants Manager, and Events & Communications Specialist
• Participate as part of the Chicago Leadership Team, including weekly meetings and participation in strategic discussions and activities

Donor Relations (Donors of $5,000+) 50%

• Engage in direct cultivation, solicitation, and personalized stewardship of individual and corporate prospects, including event sponsors (approx. 16 meaningful interactions per month)
• Plan, execute, and evaluate a comprehensive major gift plan, including an ongoing multi-year pledge campaign
• Serve as a public representative and spokesperson at events and other public relations efforts
• Draft personalized correspondence for major donors and prospects
• Support the Executive Director’s donor engagement work, including collaboration on strategy and joint meetings
• Identify new prospective funders
• Oversee strategy and implementation for annual Friendsfest gala event
• Oversee outreach meetings and small gatherings for prospects/donors
• Monitor trends in philanthropy and Chicago’s giving community

Board Engagement 20%

• Identify ways the board can support fundraising and facilitate their engagement
• Work with individual board members to develop and implement their own personal fundraising plan
• Implement Board Orientation activities
• Offer board training sessions to identify opportunities for board involvement and provide training on fundraising and messaging
• Provide staffing and support to Development Committee and Friendsfest Host Committee, including establishing agendas, developing materials, and supporting fundraising activities of Committee members

Infrastructure/Systems 5%

• Ensure that all development operations are functioning effectively, including facilitating weekly Development Team meetings and holding team accountable for all management tools
• Oversee the preparation of monthly fundraising reports for the Executive Director and Board

Other

• Model professionalism, hard work and high ethical standards
• Protect the organization and its donors by keeping information confidential
• Effectively communicate organization’s goals and values, both internally and externally

The responsibilities listed are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Work Environment:

• This is primarily an in-person position (on-site and off-site at donor meetings), with the possibility of occasional remote work
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, filing cabinets. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to talk, hear and use hands to operate office equipment
• Travel to other sites in the metro area is required. Some of those sites may not be wheelchair accessible or accessible via public transportation
• Evening and weekend work are occasionally required
• Workplace is a smoke-and-drug free environment
• Equal Opportunity Employer. Decisions and criteria governing employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion. Color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expressions, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service and/or marital status, order of protection status, handicap, disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state or local statutes

Experience, Skills, and Knowledge:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• At least seven years’ experience in non-profit management and fundraising, in progressively responsible roles with a minimum of five years in leadership or management
• Experience and affinity with direct solicitation of individual donors is essential
• Thorough understanding of the population of youth served by Friends of the Children, and the mission of our program; experience with youth organization(s) preferred
• Experience with one or more fundraising database programs
• Valid Illinois driver’s license, safe driving record
• Proven experience with fundraising, staff supervision and project management
• Self-starter, motivated and able to take initiative
• Strategic thinker, with the ability to develop, implement and sustain traditional and creative fundraising strategies
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to represent, effectively and professional, the organization to a wide variety of audiences
• Outstanding organizational and time management, delegation and follow-up skills
• Proven ability to manage a strong and effective work team
• Ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively across departments
• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to cultivate and sustain relationships and work effectively with a wide variety of constituencies, including staff, program children, organizational supporters, current and potential donors, board members and community partners

Compensation:

• Annual Salary Range $140k-$150k determined upon education, skills and experience
• Competitive benefits are available, including health insurance (medical/dental/vision), life insurance, 3 weeks of paid vacation, and 2 weeks of paid sick time per year. We also offer a 401K Program with employer matching up to 4% after the initial 90 days of employment

Working Hours:

This is a full-time position. Due to the nature of a Development Director’s role, occasional work outside of traditional business hours is required.

Reports To:

Executive Director

Location:

Chicago, IL