DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

Gateway Foundation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% match

Paid time off and holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Gateway Foundation, Inc. is a national nonprofit focused on helping individuals battling substance use and mental health disorders. The Development Associate will lead donor initiatives, manage relationships, and support corporate/foundation fundraising to advance the organization’s mission.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree, nonprofit experience, and strong communication skills. Evening/weekend availability and involvement in large events are expected as part of ongoing fundraising efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 2 years nonprofit experience; development, communication, and guest service preferred.
• Proficiency with Excel, Word and PowerPoint; database experience; Bloomerang preferred.
• Evening and weekend availability.
• Experience supporting large events, programs, and fundraisers.
• Strong organizational, presentation, and priority-setting skills.
• Detail-oriented with problem-solving ability.
• Strong written and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute individual giving initiatives (appeals, campaigns, donor journeys, recognition).
• Manage a portfolio of donors; support cultivation, solicitation and stewardship with the Development team.
• Support corporate and foundation fundraising; research, sponsorship outreach, grants, reporting.
• Coordinate in-kind donations through Amazon Wish List.
• Oversee donor database records and use insights for fundraising and accounting.
• Maintain annual events calendar and tracking systems used by Development.
• Collaborate with Marketing on donor newsletters and social content.
• Support volunteer program alongside HR; coordinate development-related activities.
• Identify prospective donors and funding ideas.
• Coordinate financial processes related to development activities.
• Develop content for internal/external communications with Dev and Marketing.
• Assist with development events as needed.

Skills

Effective communication

Listening skills

Negotiation skills

Multitasking

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Database experience

Bloomerang experience

Job description

Who is Gateway Foundation?

Gateway Foundation, Inc. is a national non‑profit dedicated to helping individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. Established in 1968, Gateway provides essential tools and knowledge for recovery, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of lives. Operating through its Community Services, Corrections Divisions, and Corporate Headquarters, the organization is recognized for innovative, effective treatment approaches and maintaining high standards.

Why join us?

Discover a rewarding career where you can find both personal and professional fulfillment while aligning your values with your work. You'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by aiding individuals in overcoming addiction. We pride ourselves on being an organization that values you and strives to be an employer of choice, fostering a vibrant culture that promotes teamwork and professional growth. Your voice matters here; we actively listen to and value our employees' thoughts, allowing you to be part of organizational decisions.Join Gateway Foundation today and become part of a team dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Who is Gateway Foundation?

Gateway Foundation, Inc. is a national non‑profit dedicated to helping individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. Established in 1968, Gateway provides essential tools and knowledge for recovery, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of lives. Operating through its Community Services, Corrections Divisions, and Corporate Headquarters, the organization is recognized for innovative, effective treatment approaches and maintaining high standards.

Why join us?

Discover a rewarding career where you can find both personal and professional fulfillment while aligning your values with your work. You'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by aiding individuals in overcoming addiction. We pride ourselves on being an organization that values you and strives to be an employer of choice, fostering a vibrant culture that promotes teamwork and professional growth. Your voice matters here; we actively listen to and value our employees' thoughts, allowing you to be part of organizational decisions.Join Gateway Foundation today and become part of a team dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of others.

The Development Associate is responsible for:

• Plan and execute individual giving initiatives, including fall and spring appeals, peer to peer fundraising campaigns, donor journeys, tribute and recognition program, and donor engagement efforts.
• Independently manage a portfolio of individual, corporate and foundation donors and support cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities in collaboration with the Development team.
• Support corporate and foundation fundraising efforts, including prospect research, sponsorship outreach, grant application support, reporting and stewardship activities, and coordination with internal stakeholders to advance funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Collect, track, and organize in‑kind donations for various departments through the Amazon Wish List
• Oversee donor database by maintaining accurate records, donations, current contact info. Leverages insights to inform fundraising strategies and financial accounting.
• Work with the Development and Events Coordinator to maintain and update annual calendar of events and programs, and other tracking mechanisms and software, utilized by the Development team.
• Work with marketing team on development communications including donor newsletters, employee newsletters, social media posts, Google Ad grant and other materials as needed.
• Oversee the Development Department’s role in the volunteer program in collaboration with Human Resources, including coordinating development related volunteer activities, supporting corporate and group volunteer engagement, aligning volunteer efforts with fundraising and stewardship goals, and ensuring a positive volunteer experience.
• Research and identify prospective new donors and proactively initiate sponsorship and funding ideas.
• Coordinate and review financial processes related to development activities, ensuring alignment with budget and funding strategies.
• Supports other projects and work of the development team as needed.
• Develop and write/produce content for internal/external communications in conjunction with the development and marketing teams.
• Assist with development events as needed.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 2 years Non‑Profit experience. Development, Communication, and Guest Service experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint and database experience. Bloomerang experience preferred.
• Must be available for evening and weekend functions.
• Experience working with a diverse team and promoting a positive brand image.
• Must possess effective communication, listening, and negotiation skills.
• Experience with supporting large‑scale events, programs, and fundraisers.
• Strong organizational, presentation, and priority‑setting skills.
• Must be detail‑oriented and be able to problem solve.
• Ability to apply common sense and understanding to carry out instructions delivered in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving multiple variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to learn and collaborate to bring “out of the box” ideas to the team.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Professional written and interpersonal skills.

Physical Requirements:

• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally. Work involved sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
• Ability to speak and communicate effectively in person or by telephone in order to gather and exchange information and provide direction.
• Ability to respond to telephone calls, emails, and hear speech.
• Travel to meet external parties and coordinate events.

Benefits at Gateway Foundation:

Health and Wellness:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents
• Employee wellness program promoting health and fitness and offering cash‑saving premiums
• Employee assistance programs focused on mental health

Financial wellbeing:

• 403(b) Retirement Plan with 3% employer match
• Short‑term and Long‑term Disability and Life and AD&D Insurance paid for by Gateway
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Flexibility and time off:

• 18 paid time off days per year – accrual rates increase with years of service
• 9 paid company holidays
• Work‑life‑balance

Personal Development:

• Training & Development Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement - up to $5,250 per calendar year
• eLearning access to online courses that provide CEU’s and job‑related training
• Clinical Supervision: Formal and informal guidance

Gateway Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Race/Color/Sex/Sexual Orientation/ Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Vets. Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.