Director of Individual and Planned Giving at Chicago Architecture Center

Chicago, Illinois, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

30 Jan, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

01 Nov, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Donor Cultivation, Fundraising, Relationship Management, Communication Skills, Organizational Skills, Strategic Planning, Collaboration, Presentation Skills, Stewardship, Research, Interpersonal Skills, CRM Systems, Philanthropy, Event Support, Networking, Advocacy

Industry

Museums;Historical Sites;and Zoos

Description

Description Position Summary: This role is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, tracking and stewarding individual donors and prospects in support of the Chicago Architecture Center’s mission, exhibitions, and programs. This position plays a key role in building lasting philanthropic relationships, managing a portfolio of individual and major donors, advancing relationships for increased donations and gifts, and securing significant contributions to advance the Center’s priorities including both operating and capital needs. The successful candidate will have an excellent work ethic, be an optimistic, organized, architecture, design, art & culture and/or education. Position is hybrid after 3 months. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Donor Cultivation & Solicitation Manage a portfolio of approximately [150-200] mid-level to major donors and prospects capable of giving $5,000+ annually. Manage the portfolio of giving among trustees. Manage the CAC’s Planned Giving program with development leadership and steering committee. Develop tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies to engage donors in the CAC’s mission and impact. Conduct face-to-face donor visits, presentations, and solicitations to meet annual and long-term fundraising goals. Stewardship & Engagement Create a donor stewardship process by developing customized stewardship plans and maintaining strong, ongoing relationships. Participate in all aspects of the gift cycle: (1) initiate contacts with potential individual and major donors; (2) develop appropriate cultivation strategies for them, including working with volunteers; (3) move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure; (4) make solicitations directly or in tandem with leadership team; (5) maintain stewardship contacts with donors. Collaborate with leadership, curators, and program staff to create meaningful donor experiences, including exhibition previews, behind-the-scenes tours, and events. Work with the Development team to maintain excellent records on donors, create donor communications, acknowledgments, and reports that highlight impact and support. Ability to serve as a strong and effective advocate for prospective donors and the community. Strategy & Collaboration Partner with the AVP of Development to devise and carry out strategies for expanding the major gifts pipeline. In collaboration with the Development Research Manager, develop donor prospect research strategies and create detailed profiles on major and planned gifts prospects. Support fundraising events, campaigns, capital initiatives, and other opportunities. Work closely with trustees, senior leadership and the CAC volunteer community to leverage networks and engage new prospects. Track and report on donor activity, revenue, and progress toward goals using CAC’s CRM/database system. Other duties as assigned. Requirements Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required. Minimum of 5 years of progressive fundraising experience, with at least 2 years focused on major gifts or individual giving. Demonstrated track record securing five-figure to six-figure gifts. Strong knowledge of donor cultivation best practices. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills. An organized, focused and goal-oriented personality coupled with a high level of initiative, energy, and capacity for work. Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with diverse stakeholders. High-degree of professionalism, discretion, and donor-centered mindset. Familiarity with museum or cultural institutions preferred. Familiarity in donor database/CRM systems.

Responsibilities

The Director of Individual and Planned Giving is responsible for cultivating, soliciting, tracking, and stewarding individual donors to support the Chicago Architecture Center’s mission. This role involves managing a portfolio of donors, developing tailored strategies for engagement, and collaborating with leadership to enhance donor experiences.