Senior Director, Individual & Corporate Giving

Communities In Schools of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Communities In Schools of Chicago seeks a Director of Corporate and Individual Giving to lead the organization's fundraising strategy for major donors and corporate partners, manage a growing team, and help deliver on CPS and community partnerships.

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, you will cultivate and close major gifts, oversee a 50–75 donor portfolio, coordinate with executives and boards, and ensure strong stewardship and donor experience in support of students across Chicago.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of fundraising or related experience with a strong record of personally soliciting and closing major gifts.
• Experience setting fundraising strategy and translating it into measurable goals and results.
• Demonstrated success managing and developing staff; experience leading a growing team is preferred.
• Strong judgment and the ability to build trusted relationships with major donors, corporate partners, Board members, volunteers, and colleagues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to make a clear case for support.
• Strong organization, follow-through, and comfort using donor data to manage performance and priorities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage confidential information, and balance donor interests with organizational priorities.
• Commitment to the mission of Communities In Schools of Chicago.

Responsibilities

• Set the annual and multi-year strategy for individual and corporate giving, including revenue goals, donor segmentation, acquisition, retention, upgrades, and pipeline development.
• Translate strategy into clear work plans, portfolio assignments, performance measures, and forecasts for the portfolio and team.
• Monitor revenue and activity against goals; use data to identify risks and opportunities.
• Build a sustainable pipeline that supports current priorities and growth after the campaign.
• Coordinate fundraising with institutional giving, events, communications, and stewardship for a consistent donor experience.
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 50-75 donors and prospects with capacity to give $25,000+.
• Develop and execute tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for each relationship.
• Personally solicit and close major, multi-year, campaign, and corporate gifts; maintain steady donor engagement.
• Identify and qualify new prospects; prepare donor communications and proposals in partnership with colleagues.
• Engage CEO, Chief Development Officer, Board members, and volunteers in donor strategy; provide prep and follow-up for success.
• Lead and develop a growing team focused on corporate and individual giving (three direct reports).
• Set goals, provide coaching, and establish moves management, forecasting, and stewardship practices.
• Foster a collaborative, results-oriented culture grounded in donor relationships.

Skills

Fundraising

Major gift solicitation

Strategy development

Team leadership

Donor relations

Communication

Data-driven performance

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Donor database

Job description

Communities In Schools of Chicago seeks a Director of Corporate and Individual Giving to lead the organization's fundraising strategy for major donors and corporate partners, manage a growing team, and help deliver on CPS and community partnerships.

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, you will cultivate and close major gifts, oversee a 50–75 donor portfolio, coordinate with executives and boards, and ensure strong stewardship and donor experience in support of students across Chicago.