Senior Director of Development

Senior Director of Development, ASP of Chicago

Are you looking to make a direct impact on youth and inner-city communities by developing the lives of the people you reach?

Become a part of our growing national non-profit team whose purpose is to bring out the All Star in everybody.

The Senior Director of Development is a senior member of the All Stars Project (ASP) of Chicago leadership team at an exciting moment of transformation and growth — as we approach our 20th Anniversary in Chicago and launch a significant milestone fundraising campaign. This person will lead the planning and execution of cultivation and fundraising campaigns that reach hundreds of individual and institutional supporters each year, including our 20th Anniversary Campaign, which will raise $1.5-$2M in recognition of two decades of impact in Chicago.

In partnership with the Vice President/Director, the regional Chicago Advisory Board, and the Chicago fundraising team, the Senior Director of Development will be accountable for meeting annual and multi-year fundraising goals for ASP's Chicago region in pursuit of our mission to serve youth. The Senior Director of Development will be responsible for leading our annual Chicago fundraising benefits and building relationships with current and prospective supporters at the $2,500 to $50,000 level. They will be involved in major gifts work, lead our corporate fundraising strategy, and support regional Board and leadership development. The Senior Director of Development will be an internal and external leader, will support and develop fundraising processes and systems, and will be a dynamic and skilled manager of people.

This role will play a critical leadership function in strengthening and expanding ASP's Chicago market presence, with the opportunity to grow revenue, deepen partnerships, and shape long-term development strategy.

The Senior Director of Development reports locally to the Vice President/Director, All Stars Project of Chicago, and works closely with ASP's national Chief Development Officer. This position is a hybrid role and requires in-person attendance in the ASP of Chicago regional office.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior leader within ASP's national development function, contributing to cross-market strategy, best practice sharing, and organizational fundraising priorities — participating in national meetings, team activities, and strategy development as assigned by the VP/Director of Chicago and the Chief Development Officer.
• Meet or exceed fundraising goals for ASP Chicago each year (currently $1.75M annually, with growth anticipated).
• Supervise, coach, and develop members of the development team, giving them ownership of key aspects of the Chicago fundraising operation, including training, conducting performance reviews, goal setting, and creating onboarding and development plans.
• Create and execute revenue-generating plans and strategies with the Chicago fundraising team that benefit young people and deeply engage ASP teammates, volunteers, philanthropic partners and supporters.
• Lead fundraising for our two annual Benefits, leading campaigns to raise $750,000+. Work directly with honorees and co-chairs to build awareness and support for the mission.
• Manage a portfolio of 75–100 individual supporters at the $2,500 to $50,000 giving level
• Grow and strategically manage a portfolio of supporters, developing and executing strategies to increase donor engagement and giving over time.
• Proactively identify, cultivate, and solicit new individual, corporate, and foundation prospects, with a focus on building $10,000+levels of support.
• Lead and execute the strategic planning, execution, and performance of the All Stars Project of Chicago 20th Anniversary Campaign, ensuring alignment with broader organizational fundraising strategy and long-term donor development.
• Partner with the VP/Director of Chicago and the Chief Development Officer to support the development of the Chicago regional Advisory Board, including producing and participating in board meetings, and managing the activity of two Board working groups.
• Partner with the Chief Development Officer, CEO, and other senior leaders to drive strategy, cultivation, and solicitation of principal and major gift donors.
• Co-lead the Development School for Youth (DSY)Trustees, a dedicated group of corporate leaders, engaging champions in our programming and funding opportunities.
• Oversee the ASP of Chicago Annual Campaign, including strategy and execution of phone campaigns, mailings, and email strategies to supporters. Develop cultivation and engagement experiences for supporters in partnership with the national ASP Annual Campaign team.
• Deepen corporate partnerships through stakeholder meetings, both internally and externally, and by collaborating with regional and national development staff.
• Identify and pursue new and renewed opportunities for funding from private foundations.

Qualifications

• At least seven (7) years of direct fundraising experience required, including executing personal solicitations of $25,000 or more and leading fundraising galas/benefits.
• At least two (2) years of experience as a direct supervisor of staff.
• Proven track record of initiating, driving, and successfully completing assigned projects on time.
• Understanding of and experience with the Chicago philanthropic market preferred.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills and the ability to interact and communicate professionally with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong project management skills.
• Superb administrative skills, including use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with experience in Raiser's Edge, AirTable, and MailChimp preferred.
• Experience staffing a board, presenting to boards, and/or attending board meetings preferred.
• Highly detail-oriented, organized, and motivated, with experience setting up and overseeing processes and systems for team success.
• Flexibility in schedule—some evenings and Saturdays are required for special events or other activities during peak seasons.
• Understanding of poverty-related issues and a commitment to creating educational and developmental opportunities for underserved youth in outside-of-school contexts.
• Ability to travel locally to events, presentations, and donor meetings—often 2–3 days per week during peak season.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.

About All Stars Project

The All Stars Project, Inc. (ASP) is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform the lives of youth from poor and underserved communities using the developmental power of performance, in partnership with caring adults, giving everyone the opportunity to grow. While the ASP's afterschool programs include hip-hop talent shows, training in theatre and the arts, and programs where we partner with the business community to help young people create a professional performance, we are doing so much more – we are building community and imagining possibility.

About All Stars Project of Chicago

The All Stars Project of Chicago, launched in 2007, reaches more than 5,000 youth annually on the South and West Sides of Chicago. As we approach our 20th Anniversary in 2027, ASP Chicago is embarking on a milestone fundraising campaign and a special celebration honoring our founder — an exciting moment to join our team and help shape the next chapter of our work in this city.