ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, INDIVIDUAL GIVING

Reports to:           Director of Development

Classification:       Full-time, exempt

ORGANIZATION

The Chicago Humanities Festival is a non-profit year-round festival of conversations, performances, and experiences. For over 30  years, we’ve presented thoughtful programs, performances, and exhibitions, developing deep relationships with Chicago’s cultural, civic, and educational communities, and have attracted in-person audiences of ~50,000 annually (in addition to over 19 million online views of our vast video archive). Presenters have included over a dozen Nobel Laureates, 75+ Pulitzer Prize-winners, 50+ Macarthur Fellows, and 40+ Oscar, Tony and Grammy Award-winners; in other words, artists, and thinkers at the forefront of their fields  providing new insights into our human condition through the arts and humanities.

Additional information is available at chicagohumanities.org. In response to the pandemic in 2020, CHF pivoted to hosting events virtually on our YouTube and Zoom platforms. In 2021, we will host around 70 events altogether, virtually to start, while planning for a return to in-person gatherings later this year.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Associate Director of Individual Giving is an integral member of the development team who contributes to the creation and implementation of comprehensive fundraising initiatives for increased contributed income. Major areas of responsibility include the management and growth of CHF’s Charter Humanists ($3,000 to $5,000), annual fund, and membership giving programs, in addition to overseeing CHF’s Qualification Program in support of pipeline development.

This role works closely with the Director of Development and is supported by the Stewardship and Events Manager and ATS/Development Services Manager.

Individual Giving Responsibilities

• Spearhead Charter Humanist (CHUM) $3,000 to $5,000 giving and $1,000 Laureate level: serve as primary relationship manager, developing and executing strategies to identify, cultivate, steward, and solicit new and existing donors.
• With the Director of Development, set strategies for the Benefactor program (annual fund and membership) in tandem with larger pipeline development objectives, goals, and engagement opportunities. This work is supported by:
  • A fiscal year engagement calendar set forth by the Development team collaboratively ensuring a monthly touchpoint (cultivation, stewardship, and large-scale appeals) in support of contributed revenue goals and expenses.
  • Project management by the ATS/Development Services Manager of all large-scale appeals and department engagement mailings or communications, including pulling lists, negotiating with mail houses, and ensuring timelines, etc. List building and its segmentation are determined by best business practices and department priorities and strategies.
  • The Director of Institutional Partnerships and Communication authors and/or edits CHF’s large-scale appeals and emails in collaboration with the Director of Development and Associate Director of Individual Giving.
• Ensure CHUM ($3,000 to $5,000) and Benefactor benefit fulfillment, stewardship, and cultivation opportunities, administrative systems supported by the Stewardship and Events Manager and ATS/Development Services Manager. Stewardship and Events Manager also serves as dedicated concierge for CHUM ticketing and program needs.
• Design and implement all aspects of CHUM Society ($3,000+) in collaboration with the Director of Development, including identifying marketing and communication needs and strategies, and cultivation/stewardship opportunities and events with the programming team.
• Responsible for the engagement of existing and prospective donors through special events and programs, as well as other initiatives key to individual giving.
• Track solicitations, renewals, program attendance, and activities in Raiser’s Edge database in collaboration with the ATS/Development Services Manager.
• Collaborates with the Director of Development in preparing fiscal year budgets for CHUM and annual fund/membership revenue, tracks progress towards goals.

Pipeline Development

• In collaboration with the Director of Development and Campbell & Company, define and manage the Festival’s new Qualification Program strategy and implementation, including identification of needed tools, metrics, timing, and target list. This work will be supported by the Stewardship and Events Manager. Together you’ll work to optimize screening data and donor interest through a set series of calls and emails resulting in:
  • Pipeline movement to membership and donor categories
  • Increased support with upward mobility
  • Relationship management activation of other team members

Administration

• Support Board Governance Committee, attend meetings, draft minutes for the Executive Director and Director of Development.
• Ensure accuracy of and sign acknowledgement letters for Benefactors and $3,000 to $5,000 CHUMs, letters will be created and mailed by ATS/Development Services Manager.
• Review of weekly reports to ensure data accuracy and needed donor outreach.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Development.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES                                                                                                    

• 5-7 years’ increasing development experience with a focus on major gifts and personal solicitation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to maintain a high level of poise and professionalism in all circumstances.
• Ability to initiate and build relationships with prospective donors.
• Demonstrated ability to take primary responsibility for diverse number of projects and to complete them in a timely manner with limited supervision.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting.

• Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or Tessitura.

• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time position with a salary of $70,000 based on qualifications and experience. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, 403b retirement plan, a commuter spending plan, flexible working hours, paid time off, paid volunteer days, remote work opportunities, a parental leave plan, and more.

WORK LOCATION

As is true of our entire staff, this role will work remotely until a potential return to our Chicago River North office on September 1st. Following that date, we anticipate that we’ll continue to work partially from home, up to two days and from the office the remainder of the time. While working remotely, you will have access to a laptop computer and a $25 per pay period ($50/month) stipend to offset home internet and personal phone expenses.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND INCLUSION

The Festival is committed to providing a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace, where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feels valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all of our departments, programs, and policies. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

TO APPLY

Email your cover letter, resume, and three professional references to developmentjobs@chicagohumanities.org by August 6, 2021. Please format subject lines as follows: 2021 Associate Director of Individual Giving: [Your Name]. Please know that we won’t consider incomplete materials or those received through a different channel.

Candidates who are selected for an interview will be notified via email. No phone calls, please. We look forward to reviewing your materials. Thank you!