Chief Philanthropy Officer

Shore-Community-Services; Skokie (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Shore Community Services is seeking a Chief Development Officer to lead a data-driven fundraising team, driving annual fund and planned giving initiatives in Skokie, IL. You’ll collaborate with the Leadership Team and board to secure mission-aligned funding through relationship-building and personalized donor engagement.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree with a Master’s preferred and a minimum of ten years in fundraising, including donor stewardship and major gifts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field; a Master’s degree is preferred.
• At least ten years of full-time fundraising experience.
• Proven track record in donor stewardship and major gifts.

Responsibilities

• Lead development strategy and fundraising activities to raise 1.2M+ in annual support.
• Provide annual fundraising budget and track revenue goals.
• Maintain donor database; generate monthly reports and analyses.
• Serve on executive leadership team and cross-functional strategy.
• Grow annual giving, Circle of Caring, and major gifts portfolio.
• Develop and manage a major gift prospect system.
• Plan donor stewardship events and recognition opportunities.
• Expand planned giving through The Legacy Society.
• Meet regularly with donors and prospects to build relationships.
• Support grant development and donor communications.
• Participate in after-hours meetings and events.
• Assist with event strategy and execution.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Donor stewardship

Major gifts

Prospect research

Donor cultivation

Relationship building

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree preferred

Job description

The Chief Development Officer leads the fundraising team to achieve ambitious contributed income goals through data-driven strategies, including both annual fund and planned giving. As a key collaborator on the Leadership Team, the CDO will work closely with the Sr. Director of Philanthropy, senior leadership and board leadership to secure sustainable, mission-aligned funding through relationship-building and personalized donor engagement.

Qualifications-Education or Equivalent

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field; Master’s Degree preferred

Qualifications-Experience or Equivalent

Minimum of ten year's full-time professional experience in fundraising. Proven track record in donor stewardship, securing major gifts, and donor prospect research leading to new gifts.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Development Strategy and Leadership (20%)

• Lead the development strategy, including setting fundraising goals and managing all aspects of fundraising activities to collectively raise $1.2M+ in annual support.
• Provide annual fundraising budget, including revenue goals and division expenses, and track progress toward revenue goals.
• Track all activity in a donor database, produce monthly donor reports and analysis as needed. Analyze fundraising results and use planning information to develop recommendations for the future.
• Participate as a member of the executive leadership team, planning and executing strategy for all departments from a cross-functional perspective.

B. Donor Cultivation and Management (50%)

• Collaborate to execute all fundraising activities related to annual individual giving, spanning family support, Circle of Caring monthly giving, and major gifts, with a focus on moving annual donors up the donor ladder into higher level giving.
• Personally develop and manage a portfolio of prospects with the capacity to make five- and six-figure annual gifts.
• Qualify and cultivate prospects (targeted at 50% of portfolio) for first-time and increased gifts. Work with volunteers from the Board of Directors and the community to solicit prospects; coach team members to do the same.
• Develop and oversee a major gift prospect management system to track prospect activity including cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and recognition.
• Work with the Development team to plan annual donor stewardship events and other recognition/benefit opportunities to engage new donors and encourage upgraded gifts.
• Expand and foster the widespread awareness of the planned giving program (“The Legacy Society”) by qualifying prospects for planned gifts.
• Meet regularly with donors and prospective donors to inform them of organizational activities and develop relationships.

C. Support Development Activities (30%)

• Collaborate to support all grant development.
• Conduct presentations and meet with donors as needed for grant proposals.

• Contribute to all outgoing correspondence for the development division, including print and electronic communication (i.e., newsletters, donor letters, etc.).
• Participate in after-hours meetings and events as required.
• Assist with event strategy and provide support to the team to plan and execute each event.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Shore Community Services offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, paid vacation, sick leave, 403b.

Shore is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. The

Shore is an inclusive and accessible employer. Successful candidates will have experience working with diverse groups of people and will demonstrate a deep commitment to advancing organizational values of Inclusion, Dignity, Autonomy, and Health & Safety.