Director of Individual Giving

About JCFS

JCFS Chicago strives to enhance social-emotional well-being for adults, children, teens, and families as well as maximize potential for people with disabilities. Our mission is to provide help, healing, and caring services infused with Jewish values to strengthen lives in our community.

Purpose

Join a passionate and energetic 13-person Development team as Director of Individual Giving reporting to the Chief Development Officer.  The purpose of this position is to lead the Development Department’s efforts to identify, cultivate and solicit individual donors for gifts to the Annual Campaign and Endowment. This position will lead a three-person team and oversee strategic initiatives to grow the agency’s Individual Giving revenue. 

This is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about social services and the Jewish community, enjoys working with a collaborative team, and loves building meaningful philanthropic relationships with donors. The Development team’s office is in West Rogers Park and all team members are welcome to work remotely up to three days per week.

Responsibilities

• Oversees strategic initiatives to grow Individual Giving revenue including donor cultivation programs, recognition events, and prospecting activities.
• Manages a portfolio of 80 current and prospective donors: cultivates, stewards, and solicits donors.
• Provides coaching, training, and support to direct reports on a consistent basis.
• Works on the fundraising efforts for two major events; supports event honorees and secures sponsorship gifts.
• Grows the agency’s pipelines for major gifts and new donor prospects.
• Manages efforts to grow the agency’s endowment by securing legacy and planned gifts.
• Works with lay leaders to develop their skills as fundraisers and agency ambassadors.
• Provides strategic support to the Board Development Committee and two Advisory Councils.
• Represents the agency to Board members, volunteers, other stakeholders and outside organizations.

Traits

• Passionate about fundraising and development.
• A natural leader who is able to motivate and inspire others.
• Enjoys communicating with a wide variety of constituents including donors, volunteers, staff at all levels, and other community stakeholders.
• Speaks and writes clearly and informatively with a diverse range of stakeholders in varying mediums.
• Prioritizes, plans, and manages work activities and competing demands in a strategic and thoughtful manner.
• Energetic self-starter who enjoys both collaborative and independent work.
• Listens with empathy and compassion.
• Flexible and able to shift gears quickly based on competing priorities.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree, preferably a Master’s degree.
• Seven or more years of experience cultivating and soliciting individual donors or equivalent experience.
• Has a strong proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
• Able to travel within the Chicago metropolitan area and work occasional evenings/weekends based on donor needs and scheduled events.

Preferences

• Experience managing or planning fundraising events.
• Knowledge and/or experience of the Chicago Jewish community.