Development Manager

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

The 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.

Working closely with the CEO and Board, the Development Manager will strengthen TGME’s individual, corporate, and foundation fundraising, build a healthier pipeline of prospective supporters, and create the systems and habits needed for sustainable revenue growth.

The salary range for this full-time position is $65,000 - $70,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Executes the annual fundraising plan across individual, foundation, corporate, and digital channels

Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan with clear revenue goals, priorities, timelines, and accountability across individual giving, corporate support, events, campaigns, and special initiatives.

Assess current fundraising performance and identify gaps and opportunities across donor segments and revenue streams.

Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective individual, corporate, and institutional donors and partners.

Use data, donor history, and relationship mapping to prioritize prospects and guide cultivation and solicitation strategies.

Track progress against goals and provide clear fundraising reporting and forecasting to the CEO and Board.

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

Manages donor pipeline, stewardship, campaigns, events, CRM, and fundraising reporting

Serve as a front-facing fundraiser and relationship manager for a portfolio of donors and prospects.

Lead donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, including meetings, site visits, events, tailored follow-up, and direct asks.

Create thoughtful stewardship practices that keep donors connected to TGME’s mission, young people, and impact.

Partner with the CEO on high-value relationships, preparing strategy, briefing materials, talking points, follow-up, and next steps.

Support the CEO and Board in leveraging their networks for introductions and relationship building.

Supports CEO and Board with donor materials, briefings, and follow-up

Facilitate relationship mapping with the CEO and Board to identify warm connections and new donor prospects.

Provide Board members with practical tools, prospect information, talking points, and clear next steps that make fundraising participation easier and more effective.

Grants, Corporate & Institutional Giving

Coordinates grant writer, proposals, grant reports, and institutional deadlines

Maintain visibility into active and prospective foundation, corporate, grant, and sponsorship opportunities.

Coordinate internal information and program outcomes needed for proposals and reports.

Develop and refine proposals, sponsorship materials, cases for support, and other institutional fundraising materials.

Coordinate with external fundraising partners and consultants to ensure deadlines and deliverables remain aligned and well managed.

Development Operations & Cross-Functional Collaboration

Maintain accurate donor and prospect records, contact reports, moves management, and pipeline data in the organization’s CRM.

Create reliable internal processes for gift acknowledgement, donor follow-up, and revenue forecasting.

Develop and refine cases for support, donor proposals, sponsorship materials, campaign messaging, and other fundraising communications.

Coordinate fundraising campaigns, events, stewardship activities, and related timelines.

Partners with Marketing on fundraising campaigns, messaging, and donor collateral

Partners with Programs on outcomes, narratives, and program funding needs

Collaborate across the organization so fundraising materials accurately reflect program strategy, outcomes, and the experiences of TGME participants and alumni.

What Success Looks Like In This Role

TGME has a clear and disciplined annual fundraising plan with reliable execution against it.

The organization maintains an active and growing donor and prospect pipeline.

Donor cultivation and stewardship happen consistently throughout the year.

The CEO and Board have the preparation, tools, and follow-through needed to participate effectively in fundraising.

Grant calendars, CRM records, donor information, forecasts, and development reporting remain accurate and current.

TGME has stronger visibility into where revenue is coming from, what relationships require attention, and where future opportunities are emerging.

QUALIFICATIONS

Approximately 4–6 years of nonprofit development or fundraising experience with increasing responsibility.

A strong record of donor-facing fundraising, including cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and relationship management.

Experience building and executing fundraising strategies across more than one revenue stream.

Experience coordinating across internal teams and external partners to keep fundraising projects, deadlines, and deliverables moving.

Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to adapt the case for support for different audiences.

Comfort partnering closely 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 from individuals, corporations, or foundations preferred.

Knowledge of Chicago’s philanthropic, corporate, civic, or entrepreneurial ecosystem preferred.

Genuine connection to TGME’s mission and belief in the talent, leadership, and entrepreneurial potential of youth.

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, marketing, public administration, or a related field preferred but not required.

Equivalent professional experience in fundraising, development, donor relations, or nonprofit advancement may substitute for formal education.

The Gray Matter Experience is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, military discharge status, age, marital status, parental status, or source of income.