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%

Board Engagement 20%

Infrastructure / Systems 5%

Other

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

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

Compensation

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

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