Director of Individual & Major Gifts

Job Description

Job Description

New Life Centers of Chicagoland connects young people and their families to Christ and Community through mentoring, education, sports and play, restorative justice, and community care.  New Life Centers operates in five neighborhoods in Chicago in the Little Village, Humboldt Park, Pilsen, Brighton Park, and Archer Heights communities of Chicago.  Our holistic program model enables us to fulfill our Mission and Vision: Young people and their families connecting with Christ and Community through restorative justice, safe spaces, and life-on-life relationships to create the Beloved Community together.

Position Summary

The Director of Individual & Major Gifts position is full-time, 40 hours per week (exempt, benefits eligible). The Director of Individual & Major Gifts leads New Life Centers’ strategy for individual philanthropy and major donor engagement, with responsibility for building, sustaining, and growing a strong base of individual supporters. This role oversees annual giving campaigns, monthly and mid level giving programs, and the identification, cultivation, and stewardship of major gift prospects while managing a portfolio of major donors. The Director develops and executes strategies to acquire, retain, and upgrade donors, ensuring a robust pipeline and deepening donor investment in the mission over time. Working closely with the Faith and Community Partnerships Coordinator, senior development leadership, institutional partnerships, development operations, and marketing staff, this position ensures coordinated donor engagement and successful achievement of fundraising goals. The Director of Individual & Major Gifts reports to the Vice President of Advancement. Will require some local travel (reimbursable). Pay commensurate with experience. This position is in-person.

Core Responsibilities

Individual Giving Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for individual donor fundraising.
• Lead annual giving programs including direct appeals, digital campaigns, and year-end fundraising initiatives.
• Grow donor acquisition, retention, and upgrade rates.
• Expand and steward the organization’s monthly giving program.
• Implement strategies to convert engaged volunteers into individual donors through targeted cultivation, stewardship, and giving opportunities.
• Develop segmentation strategies to engage donors at different giving levels.

Major Gifts & Donor Portfolio Management

• Meet or exceed annual individual and major gift revenue goals through strategic portfolio management and donor engagement.
• Manage a portfolio of major donor prospects and current supporters.
• Conduct regular donor meetings and cultivation visits.
• Develop individualized strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors.
• Partner with the Senior Director of Development and Executive Leadership on major gift solicitations.
• Identify major gift prospects emerging from the annual donor base.
• Advance donors through the moves management cycle from identification and qualification through solicitation and stewardship.
• Maintain accurate donor records, engagement activity, and pipeline tracking within the Virtuous CRM system.
• Collaborate with board members and leadership to engage them in major donor cultivation and solicitation efforts.

Donor Pipeline Development

• Maintain a clear pipeline of prospective donors and supporters.
• Identify individuals capable of increased or transformational giving.
• Support pipeline development by identifying and qualifying new prospects through the moves-management process.
• Track donor engagement and giving history through the Virtuous CRM system.
• Analyze donor data and giving trends to identify opportunities for deeper engagement and increased giving.
• Partner with program staff, leadership, and board members to surface and cultivate new donor prospects.

Donor Stewardship & Engagement

• Ensure donors receive meaningful recognition, communication, and stewardship.
• Maintain and strengthen gift recognition and appreciation practices.
• Routinely follow up with donors to encourage ongoing involvement and support.
• Support donor engagement opportunities including program visits and small cultivation gatherings.
• Develop and implement stewardship strategies that deepen donor relationships and encourage continued and increased giving.
• Coordinate with leadership, program staff, and board members to create meaningful engagement opportunities for donors.

Reporting & Performance Management

• Track and report progress toward annual fundraising goals.
• Provide monthly updates on donor pipeline activity, revenue progress, and engagement metrics.
• Use data and performance analysis to refine fundraising strategies and improve results.
• Maintain accurate donor records, engagement activity, and reporting within the Virtuous CRM system.
• Prepare reports and insights for senior leadership to inform fundraising strategy and decision-making.
• Will engage with the development team tracking systems and reporting.

Organizational Engagement

• Represent New Life Centers in meetings with donors, partners, and community members.
• Attend organizational meetings, trainings, and program visits to stay informed about program impact and needs.
• Demonstrate New Life Centers’ values in all interactions and activities.
• Collaborate with program staff and organizational leadership to align fundraising efforts with program priorities and impact.
• Works closely in collaboration with the development team.
• Ensure that all legal reporting requirements are satisfied.
• Stays knowledgeable and up to date of current funding trends, funder requests, and NLC strategic plan.
• Meets with key leadership and attends program visits to stay knowledgeable of current operations/successes/needs.
• Supervision includes on-site visits, regular check-ins, and break-out planning meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Advancement.

Skills & Qualifications

• Must become a Certified Mandated Reporter. Training provided.
• Must pass a background check, must not have any pending cases.
• Must pass a Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System background check.
• Must pass a National Sex Offender Registry background check.
• Must have a working phone and phone number.
• Completed relevant coursework/field of study in social work, criminal justice, data.
• Experience managing a team.
• Cross-cultural competency.
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally.
• Completed relevant coursework/field of study in fundraising, communications, etc.
• Cross-cultural competency.
• Ability to communicate effectively both written and verbally.
• 5 years minimum experience in professional fundraising. 
• Have knowledge and experience in fundraising techniques, particularly major gift fundraising.
• Demonstrates strength in communication, writing, and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relational skills.
• Ability to effectively motivate staff, board members, and volunteers.
• Effectively initiates and steward’s donor relationships.
• Is a goal driven to initiate donor visits and fundraising calls strategically.
• Exhibits follow-through on tasks and goals.
• Displays a positive attitude, shows concern for people and community, demonstrates self-confidence, common sense, and good listening ability.
• Strong experience with use of social media and other communication portals.
• Comfortable in creating presentations and providing direction for creation of videos and communication materials.
• Knowledge of restorative justice, violence prevention, and youth development helpful.
• Ability to effectively work independently, problem-solve, multi-task and take initiative.
• High organization and detail-oriented skill ability.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Must be willing to be trained, and proficiently utilize database(s) and information tracking systems relevant to duties.
• Must keep confidentiality of participant information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license, insurance, good driving record, access to a vehicle. Subject to driving background check.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required.

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials

• Cover letter indicating your experience and interest in the position
• Resume
• List of three references with contact information (minimum 2 professional references, email and phone number included)
• Please mention the name of any New Life Centers staff who referred the position to you if applicable.

New Life Centers provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. New Life Centers complies with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities