Director of Annual Giving

Company: Inspiration Corporation
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 14, 2025

Job Description:

Job Title: Director of Annual Giving
Department: Development
Reports to: Chief Development Officer
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary: $85,000-$90,000
To Apply: Email cover letter, resume, and writing sample to

OVERVIEW
In an atmosphere of dignity and respect, Inspiration Corporation connects people and creates opportunity through access to social services, job training, housing, and food. Each year, Inspiration Corporation works with hundreds of resilient Chicagoans who face systemic disparities and inequities, such as homelessness, hunger, and social isolation.
In order to help individuals and families overcome these barriers, we provide dedicated support coupled with housing, job training, scholarships, meals and engagement services. Inspiration Corporation meets people where they are in life, helping them access the support they need and achieve their personal goals.
At Inspiration Corporation, employees live this mission by demonstrating the following Core Values. Inspiration Corporation believes that these Core Values are what makes the organization one of Chicago's leading facilitators of personal transformation, and a great place to work:

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• Integrity: We cultivate trusting, collaborative relationships rooted in mutual respect and accountability.
  
• Growth: We encourage personal development, curiosity and being open to new possibilities.
  
• Equity: We recognize each person's inherent rights and advocate for inclusive access to resources and opportunities.
  
• Resilience: We persevere and seek solutions that celebrate our strength in the face of adversity, while practicing and encouraging self-care.
  
• Hospitality: We create uplifting, accepting, and nourishing connections with everyone who comes through our doors.
  
  
  POSITION SUMMARY
  The Director of Annual Giving is an essential part of Inspiration Corporation's senior leadership team and growth strategy. This position will oversee all aspects of annual fundraising, including planning, performance management, donor relations and prospecting. In addition to the leadership functions of this position, the Director of Annual Giving will also manage their own portfolio of donors, including individuals and major gifts, foundations, and corporations.
  We are seeking a passionate, entrepreneurial, and strategic leader who can inspire staff, Board and volunteers to cultivate resources and relationships to advance the organization's mission. Successful candidates will have a track record of successful donor relations, management experience, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work independently and proactively.
  
  GENERAL
  
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  • Demonstrate Inspiration Corporation's Core Values.
    
  • Exhibit professionalism and high standards in all aspects of performance.
    
  • Stay abreast of current trends and research in philanthropy.
    
  • Communicate with donors by phone, e-mail or in person to explain Inspiration Corporation and its work and solicit or accept donations on behalf of the organization.
    
  • Represent Inspiration Corporation at events and meetings, including staffing tables, public speaking, etc.
    
  • Attend regularly scheduled Senior Leadership, Leadership and All-Staff meetings. Support and participate in planning and facilitation as needed.
    
  • Plan and participate in regularly scheduled departmental meetings and supervise Development Manager. Collaborate and provide assistance as needed for other fundraising and marketing activities, including events.
    
  • Work with all departments as appropriate to ensure that the needs of the agency's participants are addressed. Collaborate across teams and attend cross-agency and Board level meetings and enlist support when needed.
    
    
    ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned:
    
    LEADERSHIP
    
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    • Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan that will maintain and grow revenue from foundations, individuals, and corporations.
      
    • Ensure a high-functioning fundraising department through active oversight of all development functions, including data entry, donor acknowledgement, reporting, and departmental policies and procedures.
      
    • Hire and cultivate direct reports through high-quality supervision and coaching that engenders employee retention.
      
    • Serve on Inspiration Corporation's senior leadership team to ensure fundraising efforts align with and advance the strategic direction of the organization.
      
    • Support the Board of Directors' fundraising and engagement efforts and maintain accurate and consistent reporting of Board members' progress. Staff Board and Committee meetings as needed.
      
    • Oversee configuration and maintenance of the agency's donor database and compile required development reports.
      
    • Monitor department budget and expenses. Work across departmental team to ensure sound management and compliance.
      
    • Engage with fellow leaders and staff across the agency to build a stronger culture of philanthropy and participation in fundraising efforts.
      
    • Provide support on public funding prospecting, submissions, reporting and compliance as needed.
      
      
      PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
      
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      • Devise strategies and plan for annual giving campaign, including major gifts solicitations and general appeals. Track progress to goal and identify alternative efforts as required.
        
      • Track fundraising performance goals and communicate progress regularly to senior leadership. Leverage data to evaluate and improve fundraising efforts.
        
      • Serve as primary point of contact and relationship manager for a portfolio of existing donors, including individuals, foundations, and corporations.
        
      • Develop and execute strategies for stewarding portfolio of existing donors and deepening their support of Inspiration Corporation.
        
      • Develop and update boilerplate content for fundraising campaigns and grant applications.
        
      • Prepare and submit high-quality and timely proposals, letters of inquiry, and reports to donors.
        
      • Develop and implement individual giving campaigns.
        
      • Develop and maintain systems for donor recognition and communications.
        
        
        BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
        
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        • Develop and execute strategies to diversify and expand Inspiration Corporation's fundraising efforts. Identify and secure five and six figure gifts.
          
        • Serve as a key spokesperson and donor prospector for the organization.
          
        • Research and identify prospective donors, and actively cultivate new relationships.
          
        • Pursue opportunities for networking, thought leadership, and/or earned revenue that expose Inspiration Corporation to new audiences and potential revenue streams.
          
          
          QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
          
          EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university required or equivalent experience in the non-profit sector; Strong database (Raisers Edge NTX preferred) and software skills (MS Office suite preferred), strong verbal and writing skills required, supervisory and/or management experience. Six years of applicable and progressive work experience strongly preferred.
          
          LANGUAGE SKILLS: Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret common technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Must be able to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Must be able to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
          
          MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Excellent financial and quantitative skills are required. Must be able to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
          
          REASONING ABILITY: Must be able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Must be able to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
          
          PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met
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Keywords: Inspiration Corporation, Bolingbrook , Director of Annual Giving, Executive , Chicago, Illinois