Director of Strategic Giving Chicago, IL
Hybrid - 3 days onsite
Position Overview
Join a purpose-driven team working to end hunger and tackle its root causes through community partnerships, advocacy, and direct food distribution. Every role contributes to apowerful mission that helps provide millions of meals annually to individuals and families in need. Be part of a movement creating lasting change by increasing access to nutritious food and building a healthier, more equitable future for all.
As the Director of Strategic Giving, you will lead the organization's strategic giving program, overseeing donor engagement strategy, portfolio management, and team leadership to drive meaningful philanthropic growth and long-term impact. You will manage and support a team of Relationship Managers, guide data-informed fundraising strategies and donor journeys, and partner closely with the Senior Director of Individual Giving to translate insights into clear priorities, measurable outcomes, and strong donor relationships. In this role, you will play a key part in strengthening portfolio effectiveness, advancing institutional priorities, and ensuring the Individual Giving program delivers sustained and mission-aligned results.
Responsibilities
- Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects contributing $25,000 and above, guiding complex donor relationships and engagement strategies
- Partner with the Senior Director of Individual Giving and Relationship Managers to develop donor strategies aligned with organizational priorities and fundraising goals
- Provide strategic direction on donor movement, portfolio prioritization, and relationship management to maximize philanthropic impact
- Collaborate with executive leadership, including the Chief Philanthropy Officer and Chief Executive Officer, to advance key donor relationships
- Analyze fundraising data, pipelines, forecasting, and portfolio performance to identify trends and deliver actionable insights that support strategic decision-making
- Prepare high-quality reports, presentations, and data-driven narratives for executive leadership and key stakeholders
- Lead and mentor a team of four Relationship Managers, providing coaching, accountability, and strategic guidance to support strong performance and donor-centered practices
- Partner with the Senior Manager, Donor Engagement to create and execute meaningful cultivation and stewardship strategies that deepen donor engagement and drive long-term support
- Develop multi-year fundraising strategies that strengthen donor relationships, increase mission support, and deliver measurable outcomes
- Foster a collaborative, results-oriented culture with a strong focus on strategic thinking, continuous improvement, and meaningful impact
Qualifications
- 10+ years of major gifts fundraising experience within a nonprofit organization, educational institution, or similarly complex environment
- Proven success managing major donor portfolios with gifts and prospects at the $25,000+ level
- Strong expertise in fundraising analytics, forecasting, pipeline management, and data-driven strategy development
- Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to coach, mentor, and develop fundraising professionals
- Experience preparing executive-level reports and translating complex data into clear strategic insights and recommendations
- Excellent strategic thinking, analytical, written, and verbal communication skills
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage donors, volunteers, and colleagues effectively
- Collaborative and enthusiastic team contributor with a commitment to supporting organizational mission and fundraising success
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, with the ability to incorporate inclusive practices into donor engagement and fundraising strategies
- Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Self-motivated with demonstrated initiative and a willingness to lead or support new projects and ideas
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, along with experience using donor databases and fundraising systems.
- Willingness to travel locally as needed for donor meetings and events, including occasional evening and weekend commitments
- Core competencies include donor-centered fundraising, strategic planning, data-informed decision-making, executive communication, and collaborative leadership
Compensation
- Salary: $115,000 - $120,000
- Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
- Employer-paid life and disability insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
- Generous paid time off
- Parental leave
- On-site gym
- $3,000 annual employer-paid ThrivePass lifestyle and wellness benefit program
- $250 employee referral bonus
Career Blazers Nonprofit Search maintains a broad focus so that your search can be thorough, and inclusive of all relevant options. We carefully consider your desired outcome, skills, and experience. The professionals at Career Blazers Nonprofit Search maintain your confidentiality and will not send your resume to a client without your approval.
Career Blazers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
Director of Strategic Giving Chicago, IL
Hybrid - 3 days onsite
Position Overview
Join a purpose-driven team working to end hunger and tackle its root causes through community partnerships, advocacy, and direct food distribution. Every role contributes to apowerful mission that helps provide millions of meals annually to individuals and families in need. Be part of a movement creating lasting change by increasing access to nutritious food and building a healthier, more equitable future for all.
As the Director of Strategic Giving, you will lead the organization's strategic giving program, overseeing donor engagement strategy, portfolio management, and team leadership to drive meaningful philanthropic growth and long-term impact. You will manage and support a team of Relationship Managers, guide data-informed fundraising strategies and donor journeys, and partner closely with the Senior Director of Individual Giving to translate insights into clear priorities, measurable outcomes, and strong donor relationships. In this role, you will play a key part in strengthening portfolio effectiveness, advancing institutional priorities, and ensuring the Individual Giving program delivers sustained and mission-aligned results.
Responsibilities
- Manage a portfolio of major donors and prospects contributing $25,000 and above, guiding complex donor relationships and engagement strategies
- Partner with the Senior Director of Individual Giving and Relationship Managers to develop donor strategies aligned with organizational priorities and fundraising goals
- Provide strategic direction on donor movement, portfolio prioritization, and relationship management to maximize philanthropic impact
- Collaborate with executive leadership, including the Chief Philanthropy Officer and Chief Executive Officer, to advance key donor relationships
- Analyze fundraising data, pipelines, forecasting, and portfolio performance to identify trends and deliver actionable insights that support strategic decision-making
- Prepare high-quality reports, presentations, and data-driven narratives for executive leadership and key stakeholders
- Lead and mentor a team of four Relationship Managers, providing coaching, accountability, and strategic guidance to support strong performance and donor-centered practices
- Partner with the Senior Manager, Donor Engagement to create and execute meaningful cultivation and stewardship strategies that deepen donor engagement and drive long-term support
- Develop multi-year fundraising strategies that strengthen donor relationships, increase mission support, and deliver measurable outcomes
- Foster a collaborative, results-oriented culture with a strong focus on strategic thinking, continuous improvement, and meaningful impact
Qualifications
- 10+ years of major gifts fundraising experience within a nonprofit organization, educational institution, or similarly complex environment
- Proven success managing major donor portfolios with gifts and prospects at the $25,000+ level
- Strong expertise in fundraising analytics, forecasting, pipeline management, and data-driven strategy development
- Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to coach, mentor, and develop fundraising professionals
- Experience preparing executive-level reports and translating complex data into clear strategic insights and recommendations
- Excellent strategic thinking, analytical, written, and verbal communication skills
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage donors, volunteers, and colleagues effectively
- Collaborative and enthusiastic team contributor with a commitment to supporting organizational mission and fundraising success
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, with the ability to incorporate inclusive practices into donor engagement and fundraising strategies
- Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Self-motivated with demonstrated initiative and a willingness to lead or support new projects and ideas
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, along with experience using donor databases and fundraising systems.
- Willingness to travel locally as needed for donor meetings and events, including occasional evening and weekend commitments
- Core competencies include donor-centered fundraising, strategic planning, data-informed decision-making, executive communication, and collaborative leadership
Compensation
- Salary: $115,000 - $120,000
- Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
- Employer-paid life and disability insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
- Generous paid time off
- Parental leave
- On-site gym
- $3,000 annual employer-paid ThrivePass lifestyle and wellness benefit program
- $250 employee referral bonus
Career Blazers Nonprofit Search maintains a broad focus so that your search can be thorough, and inclusive of all relevant options. We carefully consider your desired outcome, skills, and experience. The professionals at Career Blazers Nonprofit Search maintain your confidentiality and will not send your resume to a client without your approval.
Career Blazers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
