Development Project Manager, Research & Major Gifts

Kinsley Power Systems; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Window to the World Communications, Inc. (the parent organization of WTTW and WFMT) seeks a Development Project Manager, Research and Major Gifts in Chicago to identify prospective donors and coordinate cultivation via Tessitura and related data sources.

The role involves preparing donor profiles, leading weekly prospect reviews, supporting major donor solicitations, and refining CRM processes within the Development team.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years’ office experience, preferably on a development/fundraising team or similar.
• Project management experience.
• Executive support experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Research prospective donors, sponsors, and leadership candidates; identify new prospects for restricted support projects.
• Develop and maintain prospect lists for restricted projects in Tessitura; track plans and activities.
• Review event attendee lists and giving records to identify prospective donors; track attendance in the donor database.
• Prepare detailed notes on guests prior to events for leadership.
• Plan, lead, and follow up on weekly prospect review meetings.
• Lead weekly agenda planning meetings for prospect review.
• Use Tessitura and DonorSearch to prioritize and move prospects into the pipeline; distill findings into briefings for leadership.
• Support VP of Development with annual fund solicitation letters, reply devices, mailing materials, and stewardship mailings for major donors.
• Track efforts, analyze results, maintain records, and improve processes for major donor renewals.
• Participate in on-site and off-site events, including some evenings and weekends.
• Collaborate to maintain data hygiene in the donor database and prepare donor notes.

Skills

CRM databases

Tessitura

Data driven mindset

Organizational skills

Verbal & written communication

Confidentiality

Microsoft Office

Independent work

Team oriented

Fundraising knowledge

Education

College degree

Tools

Tessitura CRM

DonorSearch

Microsoft Excel

Job description

WTTW (Chicago PBS) and WFMT (classical music radio station) are looking for a Development Project Manager, Research and Major Gifts. With passion for the mission and purpose of WTTW and WFMT, the Development Project Manager will r esearch and identify prospective donors to raise revenue for both stations using external and internal resources; utilize database functions to keep special project cultivation and solicitation steps coordinated and moving forward. This position synthesizes information from multiple sources to create comprehensive briefings; prepares profiles and prospect lists; and analyzes and evaluates information in support of the prospect pipeline and fundraising goals. The Project Manager will plan and lead weekly prospect review and agenda planning meetings and support events with guest thumbnails and by tracking attendance in the donor database. Additional duties include working with the Vice President of Development in soliciting, acknowledging, and stewarding major donors to the annual fund, participating as a member of the Development team’s Tessitura committee to establish and educate the team on CRM best practices, maintain and update training and how-to documentation, provide recommendations for maintenance and improvement of processes, and collaborate in support of Development Operations team efforts. The Project Manager will help staff donor events and participate in departmental cross-training to assist when needed in areas such as gift entry and writing development materials. This position is ideal for the person seeking to build their development skills in a number of key areas.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research prospective donors, sponsors, and leadership candidates. Identify new prospects for restricted support projects.
• Work with project leads to develop and maintain prospect lists for restricted support projects, including assigning and maintaining plans and activities in Tessitura, the donor database for the development team.
• Review lists of event participants, including review of any giving records to identify prospective donors and patterns among existing donors. Track donor attendance at events in donor database.
• Prepare detailed notes on guests prior to selected events for organizational leadership.
• Plan, lead, and follow up on weekly prospect review meetings for selected members of the development team.
• Plan, lead, and follow up on weekly agenda planning meeting for prospect review.
• Use Tessitura CRM, DonorSearch, and other sources to identify, prioritize, and move prospects into and up the pipeline for a comprehensive fundraising campaign. Distill findings into clear and effectively written briefings, including assessments of wealth and philanthropic interests, for executive leadership and front-line fundraisers.
• Support the Vice President of Development, and other development leadership, through producing and tailoring annual fund solicitation letters, reply devices, mailing materials, and stewardship mailings (including drafting personal notes and packaging surprise and delight gifts) for major donors in the areas of the major donor annual fund, restricted support projects, annual gala, and planned giving.
• Work with the Vice President of Development to track efforts, analyze results, maintain records, and improve processes for major donor annual fund renewals.
• Participate in events regularly both on site and off campus, including occasional weekend and evening events.
• Work with team members to maintain data hygiene in the donor database, compose notes to donors, and other duties as assigned.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Data and analytic driven mindset.
• Positive, team-oriented attitude a must, eager to learn.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and record keeping skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects at once.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and productivity in times of high-pressure situations.
• Understanding of development and donor relationships.
• Ability to handle sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Familiarity with CRM databases and a desire to become proficient in using Tessitura a must.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.

EXPERIENCE

• 2-4 years’ office experience, preferably working on a development/fundraising team or similar.
• Project management experience.
• Executive support experience a plus.

EDUCATION

College degree a plus.

ESTIMATED SALARY RANGE

starting at $52,000 - $55,000/annual

WTTW and WFMT are committed to providing comprehensive and affordable benefits. These benefits are available to eligible employees.

Window to the World Communications, Inc., the parent organization of WTTW and WFMT, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.