Director of Development, Midwest

Evolve Giving Group; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 165,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Americans for Ben-Gurion University seeks a Director of Development to lead the Midwest fundraising program and drive strategy, major gifts, and donor stewardship. The DoD will report to the Sr.

Director of Development and collaborate with the broader team to grow a $50M annual fundraising portfolio. The ideal candidate has 7+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience and a proven track record of securing six-figure gifts, with strong engagement with senior leaders, boards, and high-net-worth

Qualifications

• 7+ years of fundraising experience, preferably within higher education or similarly complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute a comprehensive Midwest fundraising strategy aligned with institutional priorities, campaign planning, and long-term regional growth
• Secure $4M–$5M in annual philanthropic revenue through personal solicitation, targeted campaigns, and strategic donor stewardship
• Cultivate, engage, and solicit a portfolio of major donor prospects capable of giving at the $100,000+ level
• Build a robust donor pipeline by qualifying community-level donors and managing a year-round prospecting process in collaboration with volunteers and colleagues
• Translate university research, academic programs, and capital initiatives into compelling, high-impact philanthropic opportunities
• Deepen regional donor relationships through tailored communications, recognition opportunities, and high-touch cultivation events
• Raise the institution's visibility and profile throughout the Midwest through strategic community outreach and engagement opportunities
• Maintain complete, accurate, and up-to-date records of all donor interactions, communications, and activities within Salesforce

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Major gifts

Strategic planning

Board interaction

Salesforce

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

OPEN

Director of Development, Midwest

Americans for Ben-Gurion University

Chicago Preferred | Remote

Overview

Founded in 1972, Americans for Ben-Gurion University (A4BGU) is the primary U.S. philanthropic partner of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, a globally recognized research institution advancing innovation in desert and water science, global health, cybersecurity, and social impact. Guided by the vision of David Ben-Gurion, A4BGU raises approximately $50 million annually and stewards an endowment exceeding $750 million, connecting donors to transformative opportunities that advance academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and the future of Israel's Negev region and beyond.

A4BGU seeks a Director of Development (DoD) who will advance the mission of the organization and drive growth of the $50M annual fundraising program to include strategy development, prospect identification, major gift development, and donor stewardship in the Midwest. The DoD, who will report to and collaborate closely with the Sr. Director of Development, will be an integral member of the broader resource development team and will play a critical role in the overall financial growth of the institution. Successful candidates will have a minimum of 7 years of relevant nonprofit fundraising experience and a passion for the mission of A4BGU.

Compensation Range

$165,000 - $180,000

Key Responsibilities

• Create and execute a comprehensive Midwest fundraising strategy aligned with institutional priorities, campaign planning, and long-term regional growth
• Secure $4M–$5M in annual philanthropic revenue through personal solicitation, targeted campaigns, and strategic donor stewardship
• Cultivate, engage, and solicit a portfolio of major donor prospects capable of giving at the $100,000+ level
• Build a robust donor pipeline by qualifying community-level donors and managing a year-round prospecting process in collaboration with volunteers and colleagues
• Translate university research, academic programs, and capital initiatives into compelling, high-impact philanthropic opportunities
• Deepen regional donor relationships through tailored communications, recognition opportunities, and high-touch cultivation events
• Raise the institution's visibility and profile throughout the Midwest through strategic community outreach and engagement opportunities
• Maintain complete, accurate, and up-to-date records of all donor interactions, communications, and activities within Salesforce

Qualifications & Skills

• 7+ years of fundraising experience, preferably within higher education or similarly complex environments
• Proven success securing six-figure gifts
• Strong working knowledge of the Chicago and greater Midwest philanthropic community
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic fundraising plans
• Experience working with senior leadership, boards, and high net worth individuals
• Strong ability to understand and communicate academic research priorities
• Familiarity with the Jewish philanthropic community and/or Israel-focused giving strongly preferred
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; strong executive presence
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and CRM systems; Salesforce experience strongly preferred
• Ability to travel to donor meetings, conferences, and team retreats as needed