Director, Major Gifts

Covenant House Illinois; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

Job summary

Covenant House Illinois is seeking a Director, Major Gifts to lead the organization’s major gifts program, identifying prospects and stewarding donors. The role blends frontline fundraising discipline with strategic leadership to expand transformational support for CHIL's mission.

You will manage the full donor cycle from identification to solicitation and stewardship, in a hybrid work setting combining remote work with on-site donor engagement, with a compensation range of $100k–$125k and

Qualifications

• Seasoned major gifts fundraiser with the ability to manage the full donor cycle.
• Experience identifying prospects, qualifying giving potential and guiding cultivation.
• Skilled in solicitation, stewardship, and building long-term donor relationships.

Responsibilities

• Own the major gifts portfolio and drive annual fundraising goals.
• Identify, cultivate and solicit major gifts from a diverse donor base.
• Steward donors through personalized engagement and ongoing stewardship.
• Partner with leadership to implement a strategic major gifts program.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising

Prospect identification

Donor stewardship

Relationship building

Job description

Founded in 2017, Covenant House Illinois (CHIL) provides critical protection and resources for youth ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness throughout Chicagoland and across Illinois. To date, CHIL has served nearly 2,000 young people, administering tailored, wraparound services, including interim and transitional shelter, workforce and education programming, clinical case management, life-skills training, and more to help youth permanently escape the cycle of homelessness. CHIL's programs and services are youth affirming, supportive, and rooted in harm reduction and trauma-sensitive care. With a newly renovated campus on Chicago's west side and a recently enacted three-year strategic plan outlining a comprehensive vision of program expansion and service innovation, CHIL is uniquely positioned to meet the emerging needs of young people experiencing housing instability and provide the resources and care they need to achieve sustainable independence.

Learn more about Covenant House Illinois here: covanthouseil.org

The Opportunity

At its core, Covenant House Illinois is an organization that holds an ambitious vision while embracing both optimism for what is possible and a clear understanding of what it takes to achieve lasting impact. It operates at the intersection of immediate human need and long-term systems change, sustained by a community of donors, partners, staff, and volunteers who believe that no young person should face the world alone.

The ideal candidate for Director, Major Gifts at Covenant House Illinois is a seasoned major gifts fundraiser who brings both the technical discipline of a frontline development professional and the strategic instincts of a relationship-driven leader.

This individual understands the full arc of major gift fundraising - from prospect identification and qualification through cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship - and executes each stage with intentionality and care. They are deeply motivated by mission-driven work and will be drawn to Covenant House Illinois's commitment to bringing genuine passion to donor conversations about transformational impact.

Compensation, Benefits & Work Conditions

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $100,000 - $125,000 with a generous benefits package.

• Work is performed in a hybrid setting, combining remote work with on-site office hours and off-site donor meetings.
• May be exposed to challenging behavioral situations and high-stress environments.
• Must maintain composure and apply trauma-informed practices in all interactions.
• Must be able to perform a variety of physical activities, including: walking long distances, climbing up and down stairs, lifting bags or boxes weighing up to 50 pounds

At Covenant House Illinois, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of its mission. CHIL believes that teams with varied backgrounds and perspectives are stronger and better equipped to serve its youth. That's why CHIL fosters a culture where every team member feels valued, heard, and supported.

CHIL is committed to continuous learning, honest reflection, and creating opportunities for growth.

Contact

DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [e-mail]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.