Development Lead: Donor Growth & Strategy

Gray Matter Experience; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Gray Matter Experience seeks a Development Manager to lead the day-to-day execution of the organization’s fundraising efforts as TGME enters its next stage of growth.

This is a hands-on role for a relationship-driven fundraiser who can confidently represent TGME with donors, prospects, corporate partners, and community stakeholders while also managing the day-to-day discipline of prospecting, stewardship, fundraising planning, grants coordination, CRM management, and development operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4–6 years of nonprofit development or fundraising experience with increasing responsibility.
• Proven donor-facing fundraising experience including cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and relationship management.
• Experience building and executing fundraising strategies across multiple revenue streams.
• Experience coordinating across internal teams and external partners to keep fundraising projects on track.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to tailor the case for support to diverse audiences.
• Comfort partnering with a CEO and engaging Board members in fundraising.
• Strong project-management and follow-through skills.
• Experience using a CRM or donor database to manage relationships, pipeline, and reporting.
• Experience coordinating grant writers, consultants, or external fundraising partners.
• Experience securing five- and six-figure gifts preferred.
• Knowledge of Chicago’s philanthropic ecosystem preferred.

Responsibilities

• Execute the annual fundraising plan across multiple channels.
• Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan with clear revenue goals and timelines.
• Assess fundraising performance and identify gaps across donor segments.
• Build and maintain a strong donor pipeline and partnerships.
• Use data and donor history to prioritize prospects and guide cultivation.
• Track progress against goals and provide fundraising reporting to CEO and Board.
• Manage donor pipeline, stewardship, campaigns, events, CRM, and reporting.
• Lead donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship including meetings and events.
• Create stewardship practices to keep donors connected to TGME’s mission.
• Partner with the CEO on high-value relationships and strategy.

Skills

Donor relations

Fundraising

Relationship management

Strategic planning

Communication

Prospect research

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, marketing, public administration, or related field

Tools

CRM software

Grant management tools

Job description

Gray Matter Experience seeks a Development Manager to lead the day-to-day execution of the organization’s fundraising efforts as TGME enters its next stage of growth.

This is a hands-on role for a relationship-driven fundraiser who can confidently represent TGME with donors, prospects, corporate partners, and community stakeholders while also managing the day-to-day discipline of prospecting, stewardship, fundraising planning, grants coordination, CRM management, and development operations.