Fundraising Campaign Director

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the third largest school district in the United States, serving over 360,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 36,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission we make three commitments to our students, their families and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership and continuous learning.

Reporting to and in partnership with the Executive Director (ED), the Fundraising Campaign Director will be responsible for designing, implementing and launching a major fundraising campaign in partnership with City Colleges of Chicago to create new supports for students on their path to and through college. In addition to working closely with Chicago Public School's leadership, external partners and stakeholders and CFF's development staff, the Fundraising Campaign Director will serve as the liaison for the Campaign Steering Committee, and establish close working relationships with the Board of Directors, related board committees, consultants and other key stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be an experienced development leader with success leading major campaigns and securing six and seven figure gifts. The candidate must be highly motivated, entrepreneurial and embrace the opportunity to build and refine new systems, processes, and develop new relationships.

The Children's First Fund Campaign Director will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Serve as primary point of contact for campaign leadership and partners leading the collaboration with City Colleges of Chicago and aligning all planning, messaging, strategy and communication.
  
  
• Develop strategy for prospect identification, cultivation and solicitation of prospective funders. Conduct significant in-person cultivation and solicitation meetings and participate in all campaign activities and special events.
  
  
• Manage CRM to track and cultivate donors and prospects in coordination with City Colleges of Chicago Foundation.
  
  
• Work closely with CFF colleagues to ensure integration of campaign with other fundraising/communication efforts, ensuring the campaign leads to the long-term development of significant gifts and the overall growth of CFF.
  
  
• Prepare and administer the campaign budget on behalf of CFF and all partners.
  
  
• Track and report progress using specific metrics.
  
  
• Direct the development of campaign timelines, status reports, prospect management reports and other Campaign management instruments as needed.
  
  
• Oversee and execute the cultivation and stewardship of various funder relationships, successfully moving through donor lifecycle.
  
  

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the CFF Campaign Director must possess the following qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, campaign management and donor relations.
  
  
• A career that includes management or high-level role in a successful major capital or endowment campaign that required creating and executing complex giving strategies.
  
  
• Ability to think creatively and navigate large, complex organizations and political dynamics.
  
  
• Track record of strong leadership and management; ability to set vision, define tactics, develop and monitor KPI's and lead towards the achievement of collective objectives.
  
  
• Ability to work on several high-stakes, deadline-driven projects simultaneously
  
  
• Proficiency with using a donor database, prospect research and other wealth screening tools to aid in development strategy.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to develop successful foundation and corporate grant proposals and impact reports.
  
  
• Strong written and verbal skills that compel donors to action.
  
  
• Superior organizational skills with great attention to detail.
  
  
• Self-starter who can anticipate problems and develop preemptive solutions in an entrepreneurial environment.
  
  
• Strong critical and analytical skills.
  
  
• Ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently with minimal supervision.
  
  
• Strong relationship-building skills with various high-level stakeholders and institutional partners.
  
  
• Passionate about making a material impact in the lives of students.
  
  

Type of Education Required :

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
  
  

Type of Experience and Number of Years :

• 7+ years experience in grant development and fundraising.
  
  
• CFRE Certification preferred.
  
  

Residency Requirement:

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and must maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.