Midwest Major Gifts Director

BOF The Barack Obama Foundation; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 162,000; Full time

Job summary

The Obama Foundation in Chicago is seeking a Director of Development, Midwest to grow the Foundation’s fundraising program across the Midwest. You will cultivate, solicit, and steward six- to seven-figure gifts from individual philanthropists, collaborating with executive leaders to close high-level prospects.

This hybrid role is based at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago or remote for Midwest candidates outside Chicago; you will drive data-driven fundraising, manage a large portfolio,

Qualifications

• 8-10 years of experience in fundraising or donor relations, including a minimum of five years managing high-capacity boards and volunteers while securing gifts directly.
• Advanced understanding of philanthropy, moves management, and gift closure.
• Excellent interpersonal and written skills with high emotional intelligence.

Responsibilities

• Development Planning: Build short- and long-term fundraising plans for a Midwest major gifts program.
• Portfolio Strategy & Management: Manage 100+ seven-figure prospects with tailored cultivation plans.
• Donor Relations: Maintain long-term donor relationships and increase retention annually.
• Volunteer Management: Partner with board members and Development Committee for fundraising efforts in the region.
• Collaboration: Coordinate with other regional fundraisers and share best practices.
• Philanthropic Relations: Represent Development in external settings and align with Foundation teams.
• Operating Effectiveness: Use data to measure metrics and inform decisions.

Skills

Fundraising strategy

Donor relations

Moves management

Stakeholder engagement

Data-driven fundraising

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

The Obama Foundation in Chicago is seeking a Director of Development, Midwest to grow the Foundation’s fundraising program across the Midwest. You will cultivate, solicit, and steward six- to seven-figure gifts from individual philanthropists, collaborating with executive leaders to close high-level prospects.

This hybrid role is based at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago or remote for Midwest candidates outside Chicago; you will drive data-driven fundraising, manage a large portfolio,