Director of Leadership Giving and Annual Gifts

Latin School of Chicagoprovides its students with a rigorous and innovative educational program in a community that embracesdiversity of people cultures and ideas. Latin inspires its students to pursue their passions and lead lives of purpose and excellence. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who has a passion for fundraising in an outstanding academic environment.

Latin School of Chicago seeks a strategic relationship-driven fundraiser to serve asDirector of Development Leadership & Annual Gifts a key leadership role responsible for generating over $2.5 million annually from individual donors through gifts of $1$25000.

This role leads Latins individual giving strategy for parents parents of alumni grandparents and friends of the School utilizing a full range of engagement and solicitation methodsincluding the Latin Fund (annual fund) leadership-level individual gifts under $25000 targeted appeals and donor stewardship. They will work collaboratively with the Director of Development and Alumni Engagement and the Director of Operations & Major Gifts to develop and implement this strategy.

In addition to managing a personal portfolio of individual donors the Director Individual Giving supervises the Annual Giving Manager who is responsible for the day-to-day execution of the Latin Fund and related annual giving initiatives. Together they ensure a cohesive donor-centered individual giving program that balances scale strategy and meaningful engagement.

The Director of Leadership and Annual Gifts works in close partnership with the Director Development and Alumni Engagement and the Interim Director of Major Gifts and Operations. Together these roles ensure a coordinated approach across constituencies with clear accountability and a seamless donor experience.

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and collaborating across Development and Alumni Relations this position plays a central role in fostering and sustaining a strong culture of philanthropy at Latin.

The salary range for this position is $100000 to $110000 not including an outstanding insurance and benefits package.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Individual Giving Strategy & Revenue

• Lead and execute a comprehensive individual giving strategy focused on individual donors giving between $1 and $25000 generating over $2.5 million annually.
• Provide strategic oversight of the Latin Fund ensuring strong participation consistent growth and alignment with broader individual giving goals.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase donor acquisition retention and upgrades across all individual giving audiences within scope.
• Partner with the Chief Development Officer to align individual giving efforts with institutional priorities and long-term fundraising goals.

Portfolio & Relationship Management

• Manage a personal portfolio of approximately 150 individual donors and prospects primarily composed of:
  • Current parents and guardians
  • Parents of alumni
  • Grandparents
  • Friends and supporters of the School
• Engage donors through consistent personalized outreach achieving approximately 400 meaningful contact points annually.
• Support and organize volunteer leadership and parent volunteers in coordinated solicitation efforts.
• Maintain accurate timely records of donor interactions strategies and outcomes in Raisers Edge.

Team Leadership & Annual Giving Oversight

• Supervise and provide strategic direction to the Annual Giving Manager who leads execution of the Latin Fund and related annual giving campaigns.
• Set annual goals metrics and priorities for the Latin Fund in partnership with the Chief Development Officer and Annual Giving Manager.
• Ensure alignment between annual giving efforts and broader individual giving strategies including leadership-level gifts under $25000 and donor upgrades.
• Coach and support the Annual Giving Managers professional development fostering strong project management donor-centric communications and cross-departmental collaboration.
• Collaborate with Development Operations to ensure accurate reporting segmentation and analysis of annual giving performance.

Alumni Partnership & Coordination

• Work side by side with the Director of Development and Alumni Engagement to support alumni giving efforts ensuring coordination of messaging strategy and donor experience.
• Collaborate on outreach and stewardship for constituents with overlapping relationships (e.g. alumni who are also parents or grandparents).
• Share prospect insights and coordinate strategies while maintaining clear portfolio ownership and fundraising accountability.

Donor Engagement Stewardship & Appeals

• Design and implement stewardship strategies that reinforce donor impact and strengthen long-term donor relationships.
• Collaborate on multi-channel appealsincluding mail email and digital campaignstargeting parents families and community supporters.
• Ensure timely and thoughtful acknowledgment and recognition of gifts in partnership with the Development Operations Manager.
• Attend and support donor cultivation and stewardship events including some evenings and weekends during the school year.

Messaging & Case for Support

• Articulate Latins mission values and funding priorities clearly and compellingly to individual donors. Provide messaging to other members of the team for use in their fundraising efforts.
• Prepare donor-facing materials including solicitation letters leadership giving pieces one-pagers briefing documents and stewardship communications.
• Maintain strong fluency in school priorities so donors can connect their philanthropy to impact.

Collaboration & Institutional Leadership

• Work closely with the Chief Development Officer Director of Development and Alumni Engagement and Development Operations to ensure coordinated outreach and a seamless donor journey.
• Partner with the Head of School as appropriate to support donor engagement and select solicitations.
• Contribute to planning for future capital and endowment campaigns as directed.

Education & Experience

• Bachelors degree required; CFRE a plus
• 6 years of fundraising experience preferably in independent schools higher education or mission-driven nonprofits
• Demonstrated success managing an individual donor portfolio and driving revenue through gifts up to $25000
• Experience with annual funds individual giving programs and donor stewardship strategies
• Experience supervising or mentoring fundraising staff or demonstrated readiness to step into a people-management role
• Campaign experience a plus but not required

Skills & Attributes

• Relationship-oriented donor-centered approach
• Strong understanding of individual giving best practices
• Excellent written verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Highly organized strategic and detail-oriented
• Comfortable collaborating across teams with shared constituencies
• Proficiency with Raisers Edge and standard productivity tools

Work Environment

This is a full-time in-person role requiring some evening and weekend work during the school year local travel and limited regional travel (12 trips annually).

FOR ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION:

Latin School of Chicago is committed to bringing together a diverse faculty staff and student body. We encourage candidates who represent the broad diverse community to which we aspire. Latin School of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an inclusive school experience for all.