Company Name
The Chicago Community Trust
Company City
Chicago
Company State
IL
Job Location
Chicago (Hybrid)
Company Information
The Chicago Community Trust was founded in 1915 by Norman and Albert Harris, father and son duo of the Harris Trust and Savings Bank (now BMO Harris Bank). The Trust was the fourth community foundation ever created. There are now 750 community foundations in Canada and the U.S.
As our region’s community foundation, the Trust unites generous donors, committed nonprofits and caring residents to effect lasting change that moves our entire region forward. Our approach centers on tackling the region’s immediate needs and addressing the root causes of deep-seated issues to realize a more prosperous future for all who call metropolitan Chicago home.
For more than 100 years, donors have entrusted their philanthropic resources and visions to our stewardship. Guided by our deep knowledge of the community, we fund, lead, convene and collaborate to address the greatest and most critical needs facing the Chicago region. From the $22 million raised to help with unemployment relief in the Great Depression to spearheading an effort to help people keep their homes during the foreclosure crisis of the Great Recession to $35 million raised for the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund, which supported nonprofits serving our most vulnerable neighbors, Chicagoans have put their trust in us.
In 2019, we announced we would focus our discretionary spending over the next decade on working to close Chicago’s growing racial and ethnic wealth gap. The Trust envisions a Chicago region that’s stronger and more prosperous because everyone—regardless of race, ethnicity, or zip code—has equitable access to the opportunities and resources they need to succeed and live a fulfilling life.
With assets of more than $4.5 billion, the Trust, in partnership with its donors, distributes more than $1.6 billion in grants each year. The Trust Team seeks to match the passion and commitment of donors, grant recipients, residents, and community leaders that continue to work tirelessly to make the Chicago region one where all have the opportunity to realize their dreams.
Job Description
Reporting to and partnering with the VP of Philanthropic Services, the Sr. Director, Relationship Management is responsible for co-designing and implementing strategies to maximize fundraising potential from individual donors through donor advised funds (“DAFs”), major gifts, bequest intentions and other vehicles as necessary. The Sr. Director works in concert with the other departmental leadership to effectively measure team progress and develop diverse strategies to meet fundraising targets.
Fundraising targets include funds for the Trust’s strategic priorities, discreet campaigns, attracting DAF holders and endowment gifts. The Sr. Director supervises and continually develops the team who manage donor portfolios with the goal of cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts of all kinds to various fundraising needs.
Success in this position will be to ensure best practices and quality standards are being employed on all fundraising activities, requiring the strong partnership with other departmental leadership whose team leads strategic reporting, data utilization, and provides actionable insights relative to a donor life cycle with The Chicago Community Trust (“the Trust”).
Position Responsibilities:
- Works in close partnership with the VP, Philanthropic Services to set goals, manage team and develop a strong collaborative ethic among the Philanthropic Services team and across the Trust.
- Develops, designs, and implements a fundraising strategy for external prospects.
- In partnership with the Philanthropic Services department leadership, ensures that team has viable portfolios and the resources needed relative to research, reports, and logistical support to meet key goals.
- Develops relationships with prospects to better understand their philanthropic needs, ultimately seeking to have the Trust manage all their philanthropy and, where appropriate, securing their commitment to give in alignment with the Trust’s strategic priorities.
- Supports Philanthropic Services Committee through reporting on key goals throughout the year relative to plans and achievements in securing bequests, growth of professional advisor relationships, DAF growth, and engagement opportunities.
- Manages their own portfolio of high-level donors.
- Plays a key role in budget development and expenditure control to maximize the impact of fundraising activities.
Job Qualifications
- CFRE designation preferred.
- 10+ years of senior development or sales experience in a complex organization and deep experience with individual, foundation, and corporate giving.
- Experience leading, growing, and developing a team of fundraisers.
- Knowledge of the philanthropic climate in Chicago.
- Ability to assess and interpret the needs and wishes of prospective donors and to translate these into effective action plans.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with Trust leadership, staff, prospects, and donors.
- Advanced verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large audiences.
- Knowledge of the prospect and donor management process.
- Familiarity with donor database management.
- Ability to foster effective working relationships within a team environment.