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 $5000) 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 Directors 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 Chicagos 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 organizations 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:

Bachelors 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 drivers 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:

Salary Range $140k-$150k Annually 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 Directors role occasional work outside of traditional business hours is required.

Reports To:

Executive Director

Location:

Chicago IL