Philanthropy Director

Position Summary: Are you interested in joining a growing team of mission-driven professionals working together to create a better future—one where people with disabilities are empowered, valued and belong? Are you eager to make a difference in the daily lives of people in your community? Are you willing to make the ask? If so, then we encourage you to continue reading and apply today!    We are looking for a “go-getter” professional to join Aspire’s growing team as the Philanthropy Director. This person will be responsible for soliciting and stewarding Aspire’s growing network of donors with the goal of securing 5-and 6-figure gifts that will lead to life-changing results for those we empower. This person is a doer! They are out in the field, building meaningful relationships with high-worth donors and their networks, connecting them to our vision of boundless inclusion. That means raising general operating funds to support Aspire’s annual goals, and executing Aspire’s capital campaigns. This person is driven, results-focused, and energized by getting to do a little bit of it all – strategy, campaigning, research, identifying new prospects, packaging proposals, making the ask, and stewarding our amazing givers. Even more, this person is a natural at enthusiastically making calls and connections! If this sounds like you and what you want, then the Philanthropy Director position at Aspire might be the perfect fit for you!   Position Responsibilities: The following represents the primary position responsibilities, but other related duties necessary to meet the needs of the organization may be assigned.     This position has a hybrid work arrangement, but the majority of time will be spent in the community building relationships across Cook and Lake Counties. 

• Lead Aspire’s major, planned gifts and fundraising campaigns, including ongoing capital campaigns.
• Build real relationships with a portfolio of donors capable of making game-changing gifts.
• Visit with donors and prospects with a focus on discovery and qualification.
• Develop and package special project proposals and make major gift solicitations that match donor interests with Aspire’s needs.
• Steward those in the portfolio and pipeline. Deliver timely and effective follow-up.
• Collaborate with Aspire team members to implement special donor cultivation and stewardship opportunities.
• Evaluate, redesign and update Aspire’s major gift approach and pipeline – evaluation of opportunities from annual giving and CRM, research, and flow of prospects pipeline.
• Lead strategy, planning, and implementation of fundraising campaigns, capital campaigns, and planned giving programs.
• Provide strategic guidance and support to the CEO and SVP with major gift portfolios.
• Research prospects and donors to determine giving capacity, interests and the right ask.
• Support fundraising and friend raising events, including planning small group engagements and attending the annual Big City Night gala.
• Maintain timely contact records in the database and analysis of donors managed.
• Develop and share reports, assess, and make recommendations for improvements.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5-7 years professional experience in fundraising, including 3+ years in major gifts, capital campaigns, and fundraising campaigns
• Successful record of delivering personal solicitations from $50K to $1M
• Experience running fundraising and capital campaigns

Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational, time management, and project management skills
• Ability to maintain confidential information
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to successfully use donor CRM software

Leadership Competencies:

• Achieves Results: Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Builds Effective Teams: Building strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
• Cultivates Innovation: Creating new & better ways for the organization to be successful.
• Makes Quality Decisions: Making good & timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Tackles the Tough Issues: Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.