Job Function:

The Director of Development is a leadership position responsible for bringing Children’s Home mission of helping the kids and families who need it most to life by leading all agency fundraising initiatives: planned and annual giving, management of endowments, special events execution, and donor and volunteer engagement. They will be responsible for creating and executing strategic development and fundraising initiatives and expanding the Children’s Home pool of donors. This position will be held to high standards of execution, creativity, problem-solving, success metrics and work ethic, setting and meeting specific goals related to annual revenue, donor cultivation, and stewardship. The individual must be self-motivated, a strategic thinker, highly organized, and able to lead a team effectively.

Position Profile and Responsibilities:

• The primary purpose of this position is to foster focused relationship building and major gift cultivation and solicitation efforts to serve the needs of Children’s Home Association of Illinois, managing a donor portfolio of $2 million+ annually.
• Responsible for creating and enhancing fundraising and development campaigns in line with Children’s Home strategic plan.
• Generates revenue for Children’s Home by managing, recruiting, and expanding donor reach, corporate sponsorships and volunteers by maximizing fundraising initiatives.
• Responsible for all agency planned-giving initiatives (including, but not limited to estate management, wills, and the Be The Proof monthly giving campaign) as well as the management and spending of endowment and scholarship funds.
• Tracks and reports all monetary gifts and in-kind donations through a CRM software and has frequent face-to-face interactions with donors, volunteers, community supporters, and partners.
• Leads all high-level special events and fundraisers while coordinating additional community development opportunities to benefit Children’s Home.
• Identifies and researches new donor prospects, while enhancing relationships with existing donors.
• Meets annual goals for donor cultivation, revenue and stewardship in alignment with development goals and fundraising initiatives. (Producing at least 4% growth year over year).
• Cultivates working relationships with the Board of Trustees.
• Responsible for overseeing volunteer recruitment, training, and projects.
• Spearheads internal development events and activities for individual programs in support of the Children’s Home mission and vision and all external event management and coordination.
• Works with the Development and Marketing teams, as well as with all other departments at Children’s Home to ensure programs have the necessary materials to execute their important work of caring for at-risk youth and their caregivers.
• Develops and maintains an efficient system for tracking information regarding event benchmarks, revenue/expenses to-date, project management and donor engagement and provides regular progress reports to Chief of External Affairs (direct supervisor) and the CEO and CFO.
• Oversees and provides excellent leadership and guidance to two direct reports: the Volunteer and Community Engagement Coordinator and the Development Operations Specialist.

Event Execution and Expectation:

• Spring Gala/Spring Online Giving Campaign (April/May)
• Circles of Influence (June)
• Maui Jim Charity Golf Classic (July)
• Internal United Way campaign (August)
• Cattle Auction (September)
• Giving Tuesday (November)
• Holiday Giving and Wish List campaign (November-December)
• Additional third party events and additional internal events to support Children’s Home clients and external event management and coordination

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• CFRE or similar fundraising certificate considered a bonus, but not required.
• At least five years’ experience fundraising with a background in development, project management, event management/planning or other applicable field.
• Proficient in donation management CRM and sponsorship solicitation.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating successful track record of fundraising tactics and comprehensive, and complex campaigns and/or special event planning.
• Must be detailed-oriented, confident in making donation and sponsorship asks, meet tight deadlines and an expert multi-tasker, while adhering to brand standards and agency values.
• Operates with an exceptional level of professionalism when speaking with agency leadership, donors, the Board, and volunteer groups.
• Candidates should be able to complete projects on short deadlines with a high level of execution.
• Has sound judgement with ability to make thoughtful decisions.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication, exceptional soft skills, superior communication, organization, interpersonal, and public speaking skills. Must be able to think strategically and critically.
• Passionate about the Children’s Home mission of helping the kids and families who need it most.

Benefits & Pay:

• PTO (paid-time-off) accrual 3 weeks first year (full-time)
• 10 paid holidays
• Sick Leave accrual 12 days per year (full-time)
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401K with company match
• Company paid life insurance, STD and LTD
• Supplemental life insurance