Chief Advancement Officer

CASE; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The ETHS Foundation in Evanston seeks a Chief Advancement Officer to lead its philanthropic enterprise, overseeing major gifts, annual giving, alumni relations, and development operations. The CAO reports to the Superintendent and partners with the Foundation Board for transparency and strategy.

Key responsibilities include leading the Evanston to Everywhere capital campaign, cultivating donors, guiding prospect research, and managing budgets and communications to engage alumni and community

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years in charitable fund development, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Track record of closing major and principal gifts and leading capital campaigns from strategy through execution.
• Experience building and motivating high-performing teams, volunteer boards, and cross-functional partnerships.
• Excellent written, verbal, and public communication skills, with the presence to represent ETHS to donors, alumni, and the community.
• Fluency with donor databases and gift-tracking systems.
• Familiarity with Evanston/Skokie, Chicagoland, or comparable philanthropic communities is a plus.
• Ability to travel periodically both regionally and nationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead and personally engage in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of leadership, major, and principal gifts.
• Grow planned giving, endowment, and investment strategies for long-term health.
• Partner with the Foundation Board to drive a multi-year strategic plan for revenue growth.
• Guide prospect research, portfolio strategy, and proposal writing across the development team.
• Partner with the District 202 CFO on capital campaign project management.
• Advise Superintendent and Board; manage agendas, materials, and onboarding for Board/Committees.
• Prepare budgets, quarterly reports, and audit materials for full transparency.
• Lead, coach, and evaluate staff; oversee gift-tracking systems and annual budget process.
• Represent ETHS and the Foundation at donor and alumni events; elevate donor storytelling.

Skills

Leadership

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Communication

Prospect research

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Gift-tracking systems

Donor databases

Job description

THE ROLE

The Chief Advancement Officer is the Foundation's chief executive, leading every aspect of its philanthropic enterprise —
major and principal gifts, the Evanston to Everywhere campaign, annual giving, alumni relations, advancement
communications, and development operations. The CAO reports to the Superintendent, partners closely with the
Foundation Board of Directors, and is accountable to both the Superintendent and the Board for performance and full
transparency in reporting.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Fundraising & Campaign Leadership

• Lead and personally engage in the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of leadership, major, and principal gifts —
  including full execution of the Evanston to Everywhere capital campaign
• Grow planned giving, endowment, and investment strategies that secure the Foundation's long-term financial health
  Partner with the Foundation Board to build and drive a multi-year strategic plan that grows annual and capital
  revenue
• Guide prospect research, portfolio strategy, and proposal writing across the development team
  Partner with the District 202 CFO on capital campaign project management

Board & Institutional Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Superintendent and a key partner to the Foundation Board and its committees
  Partner with District 202 CFO to understand ETHS’s financial needs and capabilities, both with the capital campaign
  and ongoing support
• Manage Board and Executive Committee agendas, materials, and new-member onboarding alongside the Board Chair
  Develop a comprehensive staff-held strategy to communicate with, energize, activate, and engage Board and
  Committee members
• Prepare budgets, quarterly reports, and audit materials that give the Board and District full visibility into Foundation
  performance

Team & Operations Leadership

• Lead, coach, and evaluate Foundation and Alumni Relations staff, building a culture of philanthropy and teamwork
• Manage the Foundation's gift-tracking systems, fundraising policies, and annual budget process
• Oversee the investment of Foundation funds in coordination with the Foundation Treasurer

Communications & Alumni Engagement

• Represent ETHS and the Foundation at public, donor, and alumni events
• Collaborate with Director of Development and Director of Advancement Communications to elevate donor-focused
  storytelling with strong advancement communications, including the Annual Appeal, Annual Report, and donor
  recognition
• Collaborate with the Director of Alumni Relations to lead Alumni Relations, including reunions, the Distinguished
  Alumni Awards, and Board growth
• Foster collaboration between the Foundation and Alumni Relations to maximize connections between donors and
  alumni alike

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred
• 10+ years in charitable fund development, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role
• A track record of closing major and principal gifts and leading capital campaigns from strategy through execution
• Success building and motivating high-performing teams, volunteer boards, and cross-functional partnerships
• Excellent written, verbal, and public communication skills, with the presence to represent ETHS to donors, alumni,
  and the community
• Fluency with donor databases and gift-tracking systems
• Familiarity with the Evanston/Skokie, Chicagoland, or comparable philanthropic communities is a plus
• A genuine belief in the mission of ETHS and the students it serves
• Ability to travel periodically both regionally and nationally