Development Director: Friends of the Children – Chicago

Friends of the Children – Chicago seeks a Development Director to lead and grow fundraising efforts at a moment when the organization is positioned for greater impact and transformational growth. The strongest candidates will bring a deep belief in the potential of young people facing the greatest obstacles, connection to the families and communities Friends – Chicago serves, and a commitment to equity in every part of the work. This individual will be a seasoned fundraiser with a wide variety of development experience and a strong track record in individual and major gifts.

Friends – Chicago drives generational change by pairing kindergarteners facing the greatest obstacles with professional, salaried mentors who walk beside them for 12.5 years, no matter what. Friends – Chicago serves children in communities most affected by poverty and gun violence, providing each child an average of four hours of one-to-one mentoring every week, year-round. The organization nurtures long-term relationships from a foundation of love, acceptance, and culturally informed engagement, and is the only one in Cook County providing this level of support.

The Opportunity

The Development Director owns and leads the strategy that will move Friends – Chicago towards its growth goals.  The ideal candidate will:

• At least seven years of experience in nonprofit management and fundraising in progressively responsible roles, with a minimum of five years in leadership or management
• Proven experience with fundraising, staff supervision, and project management
• Strategic thinker, with the ability to develop, implement, and sustain traditional and creative fundraising strategies 
• Ability to cultivate and sustain relationships and work effectively with a wide variety of constituencies, including staff, program children, organizational supporters, current and potential donors, board members, and community partners 
• Be a true partner to Executive Director Taal Hasak-Lowy on fundraising strategy
• Deepen the Board’s role as a fundraising body, building the structure and providing coaching
• Strengthen Friends – Chicago’s fundraising program, building both the systems and the people who make it run

The strongest candidates will have a thorough understanding of the population of youth served by Friends of the Children and the mission of the program; experience with youth-serving organizations preferred.

Learn more about this role, including key responsibilities and qualifications: