Strategic Philanthropy & Campaigns Leader

CASE; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The ETHS Foundation in Evanston seeks a Chief Advancement Officer to lead its philanthropic enterprise, overseeing major gifts, annual giving, alumni relations, and development operations. The CAO reports to the Superintendent and partners with the Foundation Board for transparency and strategy.

Key responsibilities include leading the Evanston to Everywhere capital campaign, cultivating donors, guiding prospect research, and managing budgets and communications to engage alumni and community

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years in charitable fund development, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Track record of closing major and principal gifts and leading capital campaigns from strategy through execution.
• Experience building and motivating high-performing teams, volunteer boards, and cross-functional partnerships.
• Excellent written, verbal, and public communication skills, with the presence to represent ETHS to donors, alumni, and the community.
• Fluency with donor databases and gift-tracking systems.
• Familiarity with Evanston/Skokie, Chicagoland, or comparable philanthropic communities is a plus.
• Ability to travel periodically both regionally and nationally.

Responsibilities

• Lead and personally engage in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of leadership, major, and principal gifts.
• Grow planned giving, endowment, and investment strategies for long-term health.
• Partner with the Foundation Board to drive a multi-year strategic plan for revenue growth.
• Guide prospect research, portfolio strategy, and proposal writing across the development team.
• Partner with the District 202 CFO on capital campaign project management.
• Advise Superintendent and Board; manage agendas, materials, and onboarding for Board/Committees.
• Prepare budgets, quarterly reports, and audit materials for full transparency.
• Lead, coach, and evaluate staff; oversee gift-tracking systems and annual budget process.
• Represent ETHS and the Foundation at donor and alumni events; elevate donor storytelling.

Skills

Leadership

Donor relations

Strategic planning

Communication

Prospect research

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Gift-tracking systems

Donor databases

Job description

The ETHS Foundation in Evanston seeks a Chief Advancement Officer to lead its philanthropic enterprise, overseeing major gifts, annual giving, alumni relations, and development operations. The CAO reports to the Superintendent and partners with the Foundation Board for transparency and strategy.

Key responsibilities include leading the Evanston to Everywhere capital campaign, cultivating donors, guiding prospect research, and managing budgets and communications to engage alumni and community