Chief Development Officer

Caring Network; Glen Ellyn (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous PTO policy

9 paid company holidays plus Christmas

Job summary

Caring Network in Glen Ellyn, IL is seeking a Chief Development Officer to lead fundraising strategy, donor development, and communications, unifying direct response, major gifts, and stewardship.

Reporting to the President/CEO, you will oversee a team including the VP of Development, VP of Direct Response Marketing, and Communications Director, cultivating partnerships with churches and foundations to advance the organization's mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required; advanced degree preferred.
• 7–10+ years of progressive fundraising leadership experience.
• Proven track record securing major gifts and managing capital campaigns.
• Committed Christian who aligns with Caring Network’s faith values.
• Agree with and uphold Caring Network’s Statements of Faith and Core Values.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building and organizational abilities.
• Ability to inspire donors and communicate vision with clarity.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy unifying direct response marketing, major donor development, and communications.
• Collaborate with the President/CEO and Leadership Team to set annual and long-term fundraising goals.
• Ensure all fundraising strategies align with Caring Network’s mission and Christian values.
• Lead major gifts, planned giving, grants, and capital campaign initiatives.
• Build relationships with major donors, churches, foundations, and community partners.
• Lead an omni-channel direct response program across direct mail, email, and digital ads.
• Ensure stewardship practices reflect gratitude, transparency, and biblical principles of generosity.
• Supervise and mentor development, marketing, and communications staff.
• Promote a collaborative, mission-driven, and faith-centered team culture.
• Provide training for staff and volunteers in fundraising and donor engagement best practices.
• Oversee marketing and communications teams to craft compelling narratives.
• Ensure consistent messaging across donor communications and digital channels.
• Represent Caring Network at events, conferences, and church gatherings.
• Monitor development-related budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics.
• Report regularly to the President/CEO on fundraising progress.
• Partner with Finance to reconcile development results and ensure accuracy.

Skills

Fundraising leadership

Major gifts

Capital campaigns

Donor relationships

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

*This is an in-office position in Glen Ellyn, IL.*

The Organization

The Mission of Caring Network is to honor and glorify Jesus Christ, the author and creator of life, by bringing His love and compassion to abortion minded individuals and equipping them to choose life - both physical and spiritual.

The Position

The Chief Development Officer (CDO) serves as a senior leader responsible for advancing the mission of Caring Network through strategic fundraising, donor development, and stewardship. This leader integrates and oversees direct response marketing, major donor fundraising, and communications to ensure unified messaging, consistent donor engagement, and strong financial support. Rooted in Christian values, the CDO cultivates a culture of generosity and inspires partners to engage deeply with Caring Network’s vision to glorify God by making abortion unthinkable. This role oversees the VP of Development, VP of Direct Response Marketing, Director of Communications, and the Development Administrative Assistant.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy unifying direct response marketing, major donor development, and communications.
• Collaborate with the President/CEO and Leadership Team to set annual and long-term fundraising goals.
• Ensure all fundraising strategies align with Caring Network’s mission and Christian values.
• Lead major gifts, planned giving, grants, and capital campaign initiatives.
• Build relationships with major donors, churches, foundations, and community partners.
• Lead an omni-channel direct response program across direct mail, email, and digital ads.
• Ensure stewardship practices reflect gratitude, transparency, and biblical principles of generosity.

Team Management

• Supervise and mentor development, marketing, and communications staff.
• Promote a collaborative, mission-driven, and faith-centered team culture.
• Provide training for staff and volunteers in fundraising and donor engagement best practices.

Communications & Advocacy

• Oversee marketing and communications teams to craft compelling narratives.
• Ensure consistent messaging across donor communications and digital channels.
• Represent Caring Network at events, conferences, and church gatherings.
• Monitor development-related budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics.
• Report regularly to the President/CEO on fundraising progress.
• Partner with Finance to reconcile development results and ensure accuracy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 7–10+ years of progressive fundraising leadership experience.
• Proven track record securing major gifts and managing capital campaigns.
• A committed Christian who demonstrates a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and is a participant in a local church.
• Agree with and be willing to uphold Caring Network’s Statements of Faith and Principle and Core Values; Humility, Mutual Respect, Sacrificial Love, Optimism, Excellence, Integrity, Mission Focus, & Perseverance.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Strong understanding of biblical stewardship and Christian values.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong relationship-building, leadership, and organizational abilities.
• Ability to inspire donors and communicate vision with clarity and integrity.

Salary & Benefits

• Generous PTO policy, including substantial vacation time and sick time
• Nine (9) paid company holidays plus Christmas Break
• Paid maternity leave, paternity leave
• No employee cost for health, dental, and vision insurance; discounted rates for dependents
• Insurance benefits begin the first day of the month following hire date
• 403(b) with company matchShort-term and Long-TermDisability
• FSA Program
• Caring, Empowering, Mission-Driven Culture!