Development Director

Deborah's Place; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Deborah's Place in Chicago seeks an experienced Development Director to lead fundraising strategy and donor engagement. You will oversee the Development Department, cultivate individual donors and prospects, and expand annual giving and major gifts to support the organization's mission serving women experiencing homelessness.

Working with the CEO and Board, you will set strategic priorities, manage the department budget, supervise staff, and build strong partnerships with foundations and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, marketing, or a related field.
• 5+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including major gifts.
• Proven success securing and stewarding major gifts.
• Experience developing and implementing annual fundraising strategies.
• Experience working with nonprofit boards and volunteer leaders.
• Supervisory and team leadership experience.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge NXT or a comparable donor database.
• Knowledge of the Chicago philanthropic community.

Responsibilities

• Lead fundraising planning and department budget.
• Cultivate and solicit individual donors and major gift prospects.
• Grow annual giving, major gifts, and planned giving programs.
• Develop donor engagement strategies and retention initiatives.
• Collaborate with CEO, Board, donors, and partners to advance priorities.
• Oversee events, campaigns, and development operations.

Skills

Nonprofit fundraising

Major gifts

Donor cultivation

Donor engagement

Strategic leadership

Board collaboration

Budget management

Raiser's Edge NXT

Education

Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management/related field

Tools

Raiser's Edge NXT

Job description

Deborah's Place is Chicago's largest provider of supportive housing dedicated to serving women experiencing homelessness. Our mission is to open doors of opportunity by providing safe, stable housing and comprehensive supportive services that foster healing, recovery, and independence.

We are seeking an experienced and relationship-driven Development Director to lead our fundraising strategy, strengthen donor engagement, and expand philanthropic support for our mission. Report to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Development Director provides strategic leadership for the organization's development program and works closely with the Board of Directors, staff, donors, and community partners to secure the resources needed to advance our work.

Position Summary

The Development Director provides leadership and oversight for all functions of the Development Department, with primary responsibility for cultivating and soliciting individual donors and prospects, growing the annual giving program, and expanding major gift philanthropy. The Director develops and implements fundraising strategies that strengthen donor relationships, increase philanthropic support, and advance the organization's strategic priorities.

Working in partnership with the CEO and Board of Directors, the Development Director leads fundraising planning and execution while fostering a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Leadership

• Develop and implement the organization's annual fundraising plan and department budget.
• Lead strategies to grow annual giving, major gifts, and planned giving.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, recognize, and steward individual donors and major gift prospects.
• Develop donor engagement strategies that increase donor acquisition, retention, and giving.
• Lead fundraising initiatives to support annual operating priorities and capital campaigns, when applicable.
• Monitor fundraising performance and recommend strategies to achieve revenue goals.

Board & Donor Engagement

• Staff the Board Resource Development Committee and partner with Board members to strengthen fundraising efforts.
• Work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Directors to cultivate and solicit major donors.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, foundations, community leaders, and philanthropic partners.
• Support Board engagement in fundraising, stewardship, and ambassador activities.
• Provide oversight of the Young Professionals Board through supervision of the staff liaison.

Department Leadership

• Provide leadership, direction, and supervision to Development Department staff.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team focused on donor stewardship, fundraising excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure effective coordination of fundraising campaigns, donor communications, stewardship activities, events, and development operations.
• Establish department priorities, monitor progress toward goals, and support professional development of staff.

Organizational Leadership

• Serve as a member of the agency's leadership team and contribute to strategic planning and organizational decision-making.
• Participate in annual planning, budgeting, and long-term organizational initiatives.
• Represent Deborah's Place with donors, volunteers, community organizations, and external stakeholders.
• Promote the organization's mission, values, and commitment to serving women experiencing homelessness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5 or more years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including major gifts and donor cultivation.
• Demonstrated success securing and stewarding major gifts.
• Experience developing and implementing annual fundraising strategies.
• Experience working with nonprofit boards and volunteer leaders.
• Supervisory and team leadership experience.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge NXT or a comparable donor database.
• Experience leading annual giving, capital, or planned giving initiatives.
• Knowledge of the Chicago philanthropic community.

Why Join Deborah's Place?

This is an opportunity to lead philanthropy for an organization that has transformed the lives of thousands of women experiencing homelessness. You'll join a dedicated leadership team, work alongside an engaged Board of Directors, and help shape the future of an organization with a strong reputation for innovation, compassion, and impact.

Deborah's Place is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.