The Director of Development will create and execute an ambitious fundraising vision for
The Bloc. This role requires mastery of individual giving strategies, donor stewardship,
events, government and institutional grants, and events. The ideal candidate will have
personal magnetism that enables them to be the second face of our fundraising efforts,
next to only the Executive Director, driving relationships from initial meetings to long-
term contributions.
Key Responsibilities:
Fundraising Strategy: Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising plan to meet annual revenue goals through individual giving, major gifts, corporate sponsorships, earned income, special events, institutional grants, and other funding sources
Donor Stewardship: Oversee donor stewardship plans to ensure all donors are appreciated and informed about the impact of their contributions. Foster long-term relationships with existing donors while identifying and cultivating new donors. Generate donor communications, newsletters, and reports
Team Leadership: Cast a compelling vision to guide development. Lead and mentor the development team, including the development manager, contractors, and any additional fundraising staff. Foster a collaborative, values-aligned, results-driven team culture
Event Management: Plan and execute fundraising events that engage the community and raise funds
Board Engagement: Support the Executive Director in engaging the Board of Directors to reach fundraising goals
Public Relations: Serve as an ambassador for The Bloc, representing the organization at events, meetings, and other public engagements. Collaborate with the Executive Director to ensure consistent messaging and branding
Relationship Building: Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, corporate partners, foundations, and community leaders
Data Management: Utilize fundraising data and analytics to inform strategy and measure success
Budget Management: Develop and manage the development department budget. Monitor expenses and ensure cost-effective use of resources
Strategic Leadership: Serve as an organizational leader on the executive team.
Qualifications:
Experience: Minimum of 5 years of in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record of securing major gifts, generating leads, and meeting fundraising goals
Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
Leadership: Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to inspire and manage a team
Organizational Skills: Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
Communication: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop compelling fundraising materials
Strategic Thinking: Ability to draw conclusions from data and experiences to impact the strategic direction of the department and optimize results
Integrity: High ethical standards—ensuring all fundraising practices align with our values and remain affirming of our community
Passion: Deep commitment to The Bloc’s mission and values, with a passion for empowering youth and fostering community development
Preferred Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, Business, or a related field
Certifications: CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) or other relevant certifications
Network: Established network of contacts in the Chicago philanthropic community
Technology: Proficiency in donor management software and fundraising platforms
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Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Other
Industries
Internet Publishing
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