Director of Major Gifts & Individual Giving

Essential Functions (critical to job function): 

The Director of Major Gifts & Individual Giving executes a strategy to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major and planned gift prospects, building a robust prospect pipeline and developing a strong relationship with the Center’s current supporters by executing a moves management process. The Director, in collaboration with the Chief Development Officer, is responsible for a wide range of fundraising activities. Activities include prospect research and acquisition, donor cultivation and stewardship, database analysis, direct mail, memorial and tribute programs, gift acknowledgement and the leveraging of recurring and one-time special Center events for individual engagement. This position is an integral component of the Development team and reports to the Chief Development Officer.  

 Nonessential Functions: (non-critical to job function): 

• Other duties as assigned 

 Job Description 

Essential Functions: 

• Serve as a key leader of the Center’s strategies to fund annual $1 million+ individual giving budget, including cultivation of major gifts, management of a portfolio of mid-level gifts ($600-$2,500) and a robust community-level giving program (under $600 annually). 
• Create, implement, execute and evaluate cultivation and stewardship plans to increase engagement and donor giving.  
• Identify, research, cultivate and solicit prospective individual donors.  
• Create and develop solicitation letters, direct mail appeals, case statements, acknowledgements, reports and other written materials, ensuring that all deadlines are met.  
• Develop and maintain donor educational materials to enhance donor engagement. 
• Lead site visits, tours, and other personal contact with donors to steward contributions with timely follow up and enter notes/actions into Raiser’s Edge database. 
• Collaborate with program and communications staff to increase donor engagement opportunities and identify restricted and unrestricted revenue from individuals within a strategic framework.  
• Assist in setting fundraising goals and objectives; communicate progress towards goals. 
• Monitor and support the ongoing maintenance of the individuals records in Raiser’s Edge or NXT to ensure accuracy and timeliness of communications and tracking in collaboration with the Manager of Development Services 
• Develop donor communication plans and assets, print and digital, in collaboration with the communications team. 
• Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer to identify, establish and refine processes for the efficient management of the Development Department.  
• Work with the Manager of Special Events and Volunteers to plan and implement special event activities related to gifts from individuals.  
• Write and edit materials for a variety of communications vehicles (i.e., appeal correspondence, acknowledgements, newsletters, annual report, website, etc.) as needed.  
• Assist the Chief Development Officer in board engagement, pipeline development and presentations and reports.    

Organizational Core Competencies: Demonstrated by the candidate.  

• Critical Thinking: Consistently identifies, gathers, and applies relevant information to their work. 
• Equity Mindset: Understands and is committed to goals of equity; consistently brings an equity mindset to the organization works and workplace, interpersonally, organizationally and structurally. 
• Collaboration:  Helps colleagues as needed, views responsibilities as shared 
• Communication: Uses effective written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening. 
• Adaptability: The quality of being able to adjust to new conditions. Being able to change in order to fit or work better in some situations or for some purpose. 
• Develops and Motivates Others:  Motivates others and supports their development through strong coaching and mentoring 
• Leads with Vision: Effectively prepares and communicates vision for the future of the organization and guides team through developing and managing subsequent changes. 
• Continuous Improvement Minded: Identifies strategies to improve organization’s impact; weighs diverse inputs to inform strategies, sets course and drives implementation.  

Education/Experience and Qualifications: 

• Minimum five years of direct development experience, with significant experience raising gifts from individuals.  
• Demonstrated experience in annual giving and major gifts. Experience with planned giving a plus.  
• Exceptional communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.  
• Knowledge of fundraising methods and strategies.  
• Knowledge of the local philanthropic community.  
• Excellent planning skills.  
• Strong attention to detail.  
• Self-starter, team player, project leader and quality manager.  
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, ages and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment.  
• Ability to work comfortably and effectively with donors, volunteers, staff and diverse community groups.  
• Ability to adapt to and work effectively within a variety of situations, especially cultivating and stewarding donors in virtual platforms.  
• Ability to communicate the mission of the organization with enthusiasm and passion.  
• Superior computer skills and knowledge including word processing, database operations, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, virtual platforms like Zoom, and on-line research tools – proficiency in Raiser’s Edge and/or NXT preferred.  
• Microsoft Office proficiency required. 

 Physical Demands and Work Environment: This is a list of physical demands that is required to perform the essential functions of the position. 

 Physical Demands and Work Environment 

Level 

Sitting for long periods of time  Frequent 

Standing occasionally  Occasionally 

Lifting 15lbs or more  Occasionally  

Walking  Constant 

Walking up/downstairs Occasionally 

Bending Occasionally 

 Machine and Equipment Used: 

This is a list of machinery/equipment that is required to perform the essential duties of the position. 

 Machine and Equipment Used: 

Computer 

Telephone 

 Application Process: 

 Apply to the following website: https://www.centeronhalsted.org/careers.html   

 Your cover letter should address your reasons for being interested in working at Center on Halsted and how your skills meet the job’s specific requirements.          

*CENTER ON HALSTED IS A MANDATED COVID VACCINATION EMPLOYER.  THOSE WHO ARE VACINNATED OR WISH TO BE VACINNATED WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR EMPLOYMENT.  

Equal Opportunity Employer: Center on Halsted hires the most qualified candidates without regard to any person’s race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, neurodiversity, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, military discharge status, veteran status or source of income and citizenship. 

Disclaimer 

This job description is not a comprehensive list of all of the possible job-related responsibilities, tasks and duties that are required of this position, and further, Center on Halsted reserves the right to change as it sees fit any and all of the employee’s responsibilities, tasks and duties.