Assistant Director of Development

Illinois State University; Bloomington (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Illinois State University in Bloomington, IL seeks an experienced Assistant Director of Development to advance fundraising initiatives and cultivate lasting donor relationships with alumni, friends and partners. You will coordinate campaigns, prepare proposals and reports, track development metrics, and collaborate with internal stakeholders to align giving priorities with university goals.

You'll also participate in events, manage a donor portfolio, and support budgeting and planning to ensure

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in fundraising and philanthropy.
• Knowledge of annual giving and planned giving concepts.
• Budgeting and financial planning skills.
• Strong communication and presentation abilities.
• Organizational and project management strengths.
• Experience in higher education or nonprofit fundraising preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, business, nonprofit management, or related field.
• Commitment to ethical fundraising practices.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, and steward donors and prospects.
• Coordinate fundraising campaigns and prepare proposals and reports.
• Track development metrics and align giving priorities with goals.
• Participate in events and manage a donor portfolio.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Budgeting

Communication

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, business, nonprofit management, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Company Description

Illinois State University is a public institution offering more than 160 fields of study designed to help students achieve a wide range of professional goals. The University emphasizes high academic standards across teaching, scholarship, public service, and the connections that integrate these areas. Illinois State is committed to using its resources to foster a supportive, collaborative, and productive campus environment. Through this student-centered approach, the University serves the citizens of Illinois and broader communities with a focus on meaningful impact and long-term success.

Role Description

The Assistant Director of Development is a full-time, on-site role based in Bloomington, IL, responsible for supporting and advancing Illinois State University's fundraising and philanthropic initiatives. This position assists in identifying, cultivating, and stewarding donors and prospects, with a focus on annual and planned giving programs that strengthen long-term relationships with alumni, friends, and community partners. The role includes coordinating fundraising campaigns, preparing proposals and reports, tracking and analyzing development metrics, and collaborating with internal stakeholders to align giving priorities with institutional goals. The Assistant Director of Development also participates in events and outreach activities, manages a portfolio of donors, and supports budgeting and planning processes to ensure effective use of resources.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in fundraising and philanthropy, with the ability to build and maintain productive donor relationships.
• Knowledge of annual giving strategies and planned giving concepts, including the coordination of campaigns and donor programs.
• Skills in budgeting and financial planning to support development activities and resource allocation.
• Strong communication, writing, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and present compelling cases for support.
• Proven organizational and project management abilities, including attention to detail and capacity to manage multiple priorities.
• Experience in higher education or nonprofit development is preferred, along with familiarity with donor databases or CRM systems.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as marketing, communications, business, nonprofit management, or a related discipline.
• Commitment to inclusive, ethical fundraising practices and the mission and values of Illinois State University.