Director of Corporate and Individual Giving

Director of Individual and Corporate Giving

At Communities In Schools (CIS) of Chicago, we believe students can enhance their learning when their needs are met and that includes mental and emotional health. Every day, we partner with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and hundreds of community organizations to bring no-cost, high-quality programs directly to schools. These programs help students stay focused, engaged, and on track to graduate.

During the 2026-27 school year, we will serve an estimated 90,000 students across 260 schools, connecting them to life-changing support from arts and academic enrichment to health and mental wellness services. And we need your help to make it happen.

The mission of Communities In Schools of Chicago is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. The vision of CIS of Chicago is to ensure that every public school student in Chicago graduates from high school prepared to succeed. The organization's core values are Impact, Integrity, Relationships, and Social Justice.

Position Overview

The Director of Corporate and Individual Giving sets and executes Communities In Schools of Chicago's fundraising strategy for individual and corporate donors, which together account for more than half of the organization's annual revenue. The Director is accountable for revenue, pipeline growth, donor retention, and team performance across these giving areas.

The Director also manages a portfolio of major donors and prospects, personally cultivates and closes gifts, and leads a growing team. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director partners with the Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, Campaign Cabinet, Leadership Council, and development colleagues to advance the organization's campaign and build a strong long‑term fundraising pipeline.

Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy and Performance

• Set the annual and multi-year strategy for individual and corporate giving, including revenue goals, donor segmentation, acquisition, retention, upgrades, and pipeline development.
• Translate strategy into clear work plans, portfolio assignments, performance measures, and regular forecasts for the Director's portfolio and the team.
• Monitor revenue and activity against goals; use data to identify risks, opportunities, and needed adjustments.
• Build a sustainable pipeline that supports current priorities, the organization's campaign, and continued growth after the campaign.
• Coordinate individual and corporate fundraising with institutional giving, events, communications, and stewardship efforts to provide a consistent donor experience.

Portfolio Management and Gift Closure

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 50-75 individual and corporate donors and prospects with the capacity to make gifts of $25,000 or more.
• Develop and execute tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for each portfolio relationship.
• Personally solicit and close major, multi-year, campaign, and corporate gifts; maintain a consistent pace of meaningful donor engagement.
• Identify and qualify new prospects through research, referrals, events, volunteer networks, and other sources.
• Prepare compelling proposals, letters of request, presentations, and other donor communications in partnership with relevant colleagues.
• Engage the CEO, Chief Development Officer, Board members, and volunteer leaders in donor strategy, meetings, and solicitations; provide the preparation and follow‑up needed for their success.

Team Leadership and Management

• Lead and develop a growing team focused on corporate and individual giving, including three current direct reports.
• Set clear goals and expectations; provide regular coaching, feedback, professional development, and accountability.
• Assign and rebalance portfolios based on donor potential, staff capacity, and organizational priorities.
• Establish consistent team practices for moves management, documentation, forecasting, stewardship, and use of the donor database.
• Foster a collaborative, results‑oriented culture grounded in strong donor relationships and thoughtful stewardship.

Organizational Leadership and Guidance

• Serve as a member of the senior development team and contribute to department‑wide planning, decision‑making, and goal setting.
• Provide fundraising guidance, tools, and resources to development colleagues, organizational leaders, Board members, and volunteers involved in donor engagement.
• Develop talking points, donor briefs, outreach plans, and solicitation strategies that help others represent the organization effectively.
• Oversee targeted cultivation and stewardship opportunities for individual and corporate donors, including small events and corporate engagement activities.
• Lead corporate sponsorship strategy for the annual fundraising event in coordination with the events team.
• Represent CIS of Chicago at donor meetings, community gatherings, and external events.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 10 years of fundraising or related experience, including a strong record of personally soliciting and closing major gifts from individuals and/or corporations.
• Experience setting fundraising strategy and translating it into measurable goals, portfolio plans, and results.
• Demonstrated success managing and developing staff; experience leading a growing team is preferred.
• Strong judgment and the ability to build trusted relationships with major donors, corporate partners, Board members, volunteers, and colleagues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to make a clear case for support and prepare others for donor engagement.
• Strong organization, follow‑through, and comfort using donor data to manage performance and priorities.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, manage confidential information, and balance donor interests with organizational priorities.
• Commitment to the mission of Communities In Schools of Chicago.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Ability to attend occasional evening and weekend events.

What You'll Get:

• Salary Range: $120K to125K
• Comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plan, and generous paid time off.
• A collaborative community of educators, nonprofit leaders, and partners working together to create lasting change across Chicago.
• Meaningful impact with the opportunity to change lives - one student, one school, and one community at a time.

Communities In Schools of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, disability, medical condition, marital or family status, veteran or military status, citizenship, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

This commitment applies to every aspect of employment at CIS of Chicago-including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, and all other conditions of employment. We believe that building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve strengthens our mission to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.