Position Title : Director of Development
Location : Greater Englewood, Chicago, IL
Position Type : Hybrid
About Imagine Englewood if : Since 1997, Imagine Englewood If (IEi) has provided safe spaces for youth in Greater Englewood to enhance their academic achievement, creative growth, environmental knowledge, and physical activity. Additionally, IEi creates skill-building opportunities for adults and offers valuable resources for families. By working alongside our community and partners with shared determination, values, and goals, IEi is supporting a mission of empowering children, strengthening families, and equipping individuals of all ages to live healthy, safe, and productive lives in Greater Englewood. In other words, we don’t just want our neighbors to survive, we want them to thrive.
IEi is a dynamic and rapidly growing organization with a lot of momentum, poised to expand its impact. As part of a winning team, we are seeking a passionate, entrepreneurial, and strategic team member to help us achieve our full potential.
Purpose of Position: Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development will lead IEi’s comprehensive fundraising and donor management strategy, including grants, corporate giving, individual contributions, and special events. This newly created position is essential to IEi’s future impact and long-term sustainability, with strong donor interest in expanding IEi’s innovative, place-based solutions to other communities. The Director will cultivate key relationships with the board, staff, and donors while overseeing day-to-day development operations. As part of the Executive Leadership Team, the Director will help shape a cohesive development strategy that connects our growing donor base to the missions of IEi and We Grow Chicago.
The Director of Development will primarily be responsible for:
Resource Development and Prospecting:
- Developing annual revenue goals and a comprehensive development strategy; tracking and reporting progress against the development plan; and providing ongoing evaluation and oversight.
- Leading efforts to identify, secure, and retain new and existing foundation, corporate, and individual support, including conducting outreach and building strong relationships with prospective funders about IEi’s programs and impact.
- Managing IEi's grant portfolio, inclusive of submission of high-quality and timely applications and reports.
External Affairs:
- Overseeing ongoing communication, cultivation, and stewardship of diverse donor audiences, including donor acknowledgments, pledge reminders, monthly giving confirmations, thank you calls, website page updates, etc.
- Effectively managing the Executive Director's active role in fundraising by partnering closely on strategy and execution. This position will be responsible for strategically leveraging the Executive Director's leadership and public presence as necessary to advance development goals.
- Managing external stakeholder groups and leading the Fundraising Committee of the Board, focusing on maximizing the giving potential of individual Board members and developing targeted strategies to leverage their networks.
Organizational Leadership:
- Creating and maintaining an internal development infrastructure, including fundraising software, donor information, grant reporting, gift acknowledgment, and budget management.
- Working collaboratively with the leadership team (Executive Director, Director of Operations & Communications, and Peace Campus Director) to ensure fundraising efforts are aligned with the strategic direction of the organization.
- Developing and updating annually the organization's case for support to be shared with staff, Board, and volunteers.
The ideal candidate for this role is someone that has:
- Bachelor’s degree or transferable experience.
- Minimum of 3-5 years of professional fundraising experience, with a proven track record in building fundraising systems, prospecting and cultivating donor relationships, and successful grant writing, along with progressively increasing levels of responsibility.
- Moderate to significant knowledge of the Chicago philanthropic community.
- Exemplary verbal and written communication skills, including comfort with public speaking.
- Demonstrated consistent use of their strengths in order to complete several executive functions, including organization, project planning, execution, and time management.
- A sense of humor, a cheerful spirit, and operates with a high level of resilience.
- A deep commitment to the community of Englewood and to healthy living.
- Moderate to significant experience working in the Chicago communities we serve.
- Proficiency in email communication, Google Suite, and Microsoft Office.
- Dependable transportation to various meetings and events.
- Experience leading a small team of adults successfully, with evidence of results, for at least three years.
- Demonstrated skill and experience communicating with cultural competence to various stakeholders and diverse audiences. Proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with board members, donors, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
Schedule and Salary: This is a full-time exempt position with a salary of $80,000, depending on qualifications and experience. While the primary working hours are from 9:00am–5:00pm, we offer a highly flexible schedule, with the ability to adjust hours and work location as needed. Occasional weekend and evening events may be required. In addition to a competitive salary, we provide an initial ten days of paid time off, twelve staff holidays, competitive medical, dental, vision, long- and short-term disability, and life insurance benefits, and a flexible, human-first work culture designed to support work-life balance.
To Apply: Email a tailored cover letter and resume to , and please include “Director of Development” in the subject line of your email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.