Manager of Donor Engagement

Lookingglass Theatre Company; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vision & Rx plan

12 paid holidays

Vacation, Personal, Sick time-off

Job summary

Lookingglass Theatre Company is seeking a creative, organized Donor Engagement Manager who will lead the signature Come As You Aren’t gala and manage donor engagement strategies. You will work with the Director of Development and cross‑team partners to cultivate meaningful relationships with supporters, artists, and productions.

The role emphasizes event leadership, donor stewardship, and collaborative fundraising campaigns, with an in‑office focus four days a week and a Monday work‑from‑home

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising with a track record of building relationships.
• Experience leading fundraising events, including budget and logistics.
• Experience implementing annual giving campaigns and donor engagement activities.
• Excellent writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Comfort working with CRM systems, budgets, and fundraising reports.
• Collaborative, creative, and resourceful with a team-oriented approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of the Come As You Aren’t gala and related event production.
• Develop gala work plans, budgets, vendor relations, timelines, and staffing.
• Collaborate on gala fundraising strategy, sponsorships, auction procurement, and donor engagement.
• Oversee guest lists, invitations, RSVPs, seating, and on-site execution.
• Manage donor acknowledgments, pledges, and post-event follow-up with teams.
• Plan additional cultivation and stewardship events, including openings and artist gatherings.
• Run annual giving campaigns and steward a portfolio of donors.
• Track giving history and campaigns in the CRM and report progress to leadership.

Skills

Donor relations

Fundraising

Event planning

CRM systems

Project management

Communication

Collaboration

Donor stewardship

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Manager of Donor Engagement

Reports to: Director of Development
Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Salary: $65,000 annually
Work Location: Work from Lookingglass offices at 190 E Delaware Pl. Chicago, IL four days a week (Tuesday – Friday); work from home option for Mondays. Occasional evening and weekend events.

Application Deadline: December 1, 2026

About Lookingglass Theatre Company

Lookingglass Theatre Company is the largest ensemble-based theatre in America dedicated to the creation of new work. Guided by its core values of Invention, Collaboration, and Transformation, Lookingglass reimagines the possibilities of live performance with every production, seeking to make theatre more exhilarating, inspirational, and accessible to all.

Founded in 1988 by a group of Northwestern University theatre graduates, Lookingglass made its permanent home in 2003 in the historic Water Tower Water Works on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Since its founding, the Company has produced more than 75 world premieres and received the 2011 Regional Tony Award for Artistic Achievement.

With a roster of 33 Ensemble Members and 17 Artistic Associates, Lookingglass draws on a uniquely interdisciplinary approach to theatre‑making, bringing together artists trained in theatre, dance, design, music, and circus arts. At the heart of every production is the ensemble: a shared spirit of invention, a commitment to collaboration, and an appetite for transforming the theatrical experience.

Position Overview

Lookingglass Theatre Company seeks a creative, organized, and relationship-oriented Donor Engagement Manager to help build and sustain the philanthropic community that makes its extraordinary artistic work possible.

The Donor Engagement Manager plays a central role in Lookingglass’s fundraising program, leading the theatre’s signature annual Come As You Aren’t gala while managing individual giving, donor engagement, and stewardship initiatives. Working closely with the Director of Development and colleagues across the theatre, the Manager will help cultivate meaningful connections between supporters and Lookingglass’s artists, productions, and creative process.

This is a hands‑on leadership opportunity for someone who thrives on bringing people together, managing complex projects, and transforming ambitious ideas into successful experiences. The ideal candidate combines strong organizational and fundraising skills with creativity, resourcefulness, and an appreciation for personal relationships at the heart of philanthropy.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising Events & Donor Experiences

• Serve as the lead staff member responsible for planning and executing Lookingglass’s signature Come As You Aren’t gala, overseeing all aspects of event production, fundraising coordination, and delivery.
• Develop and manage the gala’s work plan, timeline, budget, vendor relationships, production logistics, and staffing, ensuring clear responsibilities and deadlines.
• Partner with the Director of Development, Executive Director, Board, and Artistic Leadership on gala fundraising strategy, sponsorships, auction procurement, ticket sales, and donor engagement.
• Coordinate gala committees, volunteers, artists, and colleagues across the organization to deliver an imaginative and memorable event that reflects Lookingglass’s distinctive creative identity.
• Oversee invitations, guest lists, RSVPs, seating, event communications, and onsite execution.
• Manage post‑event acknowledgments, pledge fulfillment, donor follow‑up, financial reconciliation, and evaluation in collaboration with development colleagues.
• Plan and execute additional cultivation and stewardship experiences, including opening nights, special performances, and artist gatherings.

Individual Giving & Donor Stewardship

• Manage the implementation of annual giving campaigns, including appeals, renewals, upgrades, and targeted donor communications.
• Cultivate and steward a portfolio of individual donors, identifying opportunities to deepen engagement and increase support.
• Partner with the Director of Development to identify and engage major‑gift prospects, coordinate cultivation and solicitation activities, and ensure timely follow‑up.
• Develop thoughtful donor recognition and stewardship activities that reflect Lookingglass’s artistic identity and deepen supporters’ connections to the company.
• Track donor engagement, giving history, and follow‑up activities in the CRM.

Fundraising Communications & Campaigns

• Coordinate the production and distribution of fundraising appeals, donor communications, invitations, and stewardship materials.
• Collaborate with artistic, marketing, and development colleagues to develop compelling messages that convey Lookingglass’s work, impact, and opportunities for support.
• Assist with donor segmentation, campaign calendars, and targeted outreach strategies.
• Support sponsorship and fundraising communications for productions, programs, and special initiatives.

Development Operations & Collaboration

• Maintain accurate donor and prospect information, activity records, and campaign tracking in the CRM, working closely with the Development Operations Coordinator.
• Monitor progress toward individual giving and event goals and prepare regular updates for the Director of Development.
• Coordinate donor acknowledgments, pledge reminders, and stewardship follow‑up with development colleagues.
• Support the Director of Development in preparing materials and information for Board members and fundraising volunteers.
• Collaborate with the development team and colleagues across Lookingglass to ensure fundraising activities are coordinated and executed effectively.

Qualifications & Leadership Attributes

• 3- 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, special events, donor relations, or a related field, with demonstrated success managing complex projects and building relationships.
• Demonstrated experience leading fundraising events, including budget management, vendor coordination, volunteer engagement, and event execution.
• Experience implementing annual giving campaigns and donor engagement activities.
• Strong project‑management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and details.
• Excellent writing, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a thoughtful approach to donor relationships.
• Comfort working with CRM systems, donor data, budgets, and fundraising reports.
• A collaborative, creative, and resourceful approach, with the ability to work independently and as part of a small team.
• Enthusiasm for theatre, artists, and the creative process, and an appreciation for Lookingglass’s mission and ensemble‑driven culture.
• Relevant transferable experience is welcome; professional theatre experience and a particular degree are not required.

First‑Year Priorities

The Donor Engagement Manager will play a key role in strengthening Lookingglass’s individual giving and donor engagement programs during an important period of institutional growth. Initial priorities include leading the successful planning and execution of the annual Come As You Aren’t gala; implementing a coordinated annual giving calendar; improving donor renewal and stewardship; strengthening prospect tracking and follow‑up; and creating meaningful opportunities for supporters to connect with Lookingglass’s artists, productions, and institutional vision.

Benefits

• Health Insurance (choice of PPO or HMO; Organization covers the cost of 100% of the HMO plan for the employee. If PPO plan is elected, staff members pays the difference between the PPO plan and the HMO plan. This is reevaluated annually in July with the adoption of the health plan).
• Vision & Rx plan;
• 12 paid holidays; and
• Vacation, Personal, Sick time‑off.

Lookingglass recognizes that candidates may not meet every qualification listed and welcomes applicants whose experience, skills, and interests align with the spirit of the role.

Lookingglass Theatre Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We recruit, hire, develop, and retain employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.

Lookingglass Theatre Company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. Applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the recruitment process are encouraged to contact the Company.