Individual Gifts Officer

Jewish Nevada; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Jewish Nevada is seeking an Individual Gifts Officer in Chicago, IL. This role is key to maximizing donor engagement to secure contributions of $10,000 to $100,000.

Key responsibilities include nurturing donor relationships, coordinating fundraising strategies, and collaborating across departments. Ideal candidates possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, a bachelor's degree, and frontline fundraising experience. The position offers a hybrid work arrangement and a competitive salary of $75,000 to $80,000.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated record of soliciting and closing five-figure and six-figure gifts.
• Experience in a national organization is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement cultivation strategies for donor engagement.
• Manage a strong portfolio of identified donors.
• Collaborate with stewardship and program staff.

Skills

Outstanding strategic thinking and analytical skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent communication skills

Excellent organizational skills

Experience with fundraising databases

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Salesforce

MS Office applications

Job description

Individual Gifts Officer

Job Locations: US-IL-Chicago

ID: 2026-2902

Category: People - Development

Type: Regular Full-Time

Overview

POSITION TITLE: Individual Gifts Officer
REPORTS TO: Director of Development
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None
LOCATION: Chicago, IL
Grade/Class: Grade F, Exempt, PSA Eligible

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION: ADL is the leading anti‑hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. As a global leader in combating antisemitism, counter‑extremism, and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.

PRIMARY FUNCTION: The Individual Gifts Officer serves as a frontline fundraiser within a region. They will maximize the donor engagement process to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual prospects/donors capable of making gifts between $10,000 and $100,000 in support of ADL’s highest priorities.

Responsibilities

Primary

• Develop and implement cultivation strategies for a portfolio of individuals with the capacity to make gifts (between $10,000 and $100,000), nurturing relationships through personalized communications, meetings, and engagement opportunities in accordance with ADL’s policies, procedures, and funding priorities.
• In collaboration with the Donor Experience and Philanthropic Services teams ensure fundraising and implementation of approved, budgeted regional fundraising and non‑fundraising event such as insider briefings.
• Maintain an active, current body of knowledge of ADL and its mission, programs, activities, institutional needs, and fundraising priorities.
• Work with prospect research to identify new individual gift prospects and understand their philanthropic interests and capacity to give.
• Manage a strong portfolio of identified donors and lead the solicitation process for individual gifts, including developing tailored solicitation proposals, presentations, and funding opportunities aligned with donor interests and ADL priorities.
• Negotiate gift agreements and terms with donors, in collaboration with the Philanthropic Services team.
• In partnership with the stewardship team, implement stewardship plans for individual gift donors, ensuring timely and meaningful acknowledgment, recognition, and reporting on the impact of their contributions.
• Collaborate with stewardship and program staff to provide donors with updates and insights into the outcomes and achievements made possible through their philanthropic support.
• Actively participate in Development team meetings to coordinate prospect review and discuss specific prospect strategies as they relate to prioritized fundraising needs.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date donor records in the CRM database, documenting all interactions, proposals, and gift agreements related to major gifts in accordance with CSC policies and procedures.
• Collaborate and partner effectively across the organization to build and sustain the culture of philanthropy across ADL.
• Serve as an effective and enthusiastic ADL spokesperson and representative.

Qualifications

Skills

• Outstanding strategic thinking and analytical skills, interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and experience handling highly confidential information.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with a diverse group of stakeholders including high net worth individuals, colleagues, and senior executives.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with superior attention to detail and strong storytelling skills.
• Display a positive attitude and show good judgment, common sense, and excellent listening skills; committed to transparency, accountability, and direct communication.
• Ability to anticipate and be responsive to multiple stakeholders' needs simultaneously, internally, and externally, including individual donors and prospects.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to see projects through to completion while meeting tight deadlines.
• Prior experience working with fundraising databases (Salesforce), MS Office applications and online collaboration tools.
• Self‑motivated with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team in meeting goals.
• Ability to successfully navigate and thrive in a complex organization.
• Committed to advancing the mission and goals of the ADL.

Work Experience:

• The ideal candidate has front‑line fundraising experience including a demonstrated record of soliciting and closing five‑figure and six‑figure gifts, including multi‑year commitments.
• Experience in a national organization with an affiliate or chapter structure is a plus.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience required.

Work Environment:

• ADL is a hybrid environment; this role will require 3 days in the office.

Compensation:

• This position has a salary range of $75,000 to $80,000. This salary range is reflective of a position based in Chicago, IL. Actual salaries are commensurate with experience and reflect the budget for a given position, and since ADL has a location‑based compensation structure, there may be a different range for candidates in other locations. For an overview of our total rewards package, please visit https://www.adl.org/about/careers.

ADL aims to create a working environment where every employee can thrive professionally. Our mission‑driven work is best accomplished in an environment that supports belonging. ADL values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages people of all races, religions, nationalities, genders, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans to apply. ADL is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment, hiring, promotions and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment shall be maintained in a manner which does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or military status, or in violation of any applicable Federal, state or local laws. ADL will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation to support the interview process, please contact the People & Culture department at [e-mail].

ADL will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable State, Local, and Federal laws.

The information in this job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job, nor is it to be interpreted as a contract for employment.