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Development Director
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Development Director
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Southland Holdings Job Title: Development Director
The Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
Location: Chicago, IL
About The Athenaeum Center For Thought & Culture
The Athenaeum Center was built in 1911 on the St. Alphonsus campus and is home to Chicago’s oldest continuously-operating off-Loop theater. Our mission is to invite people into encounters with beauty and to revitalize the great Catholic tradition of the arts from our location in one of Chicago’s most unique religious, artistic, and civic buildings. At the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture, we believe that beauty has the capacity to build up culture, transform society, and change lives. We hope to help you contemplate, encounter, and delight in beauty.
Job Overview
The Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and strategic Development Director to lead all aspects of the organization’s fundraising efforts. The Development Director will be responsible for securing major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grants, and in-kind donations. The Director will work closely with the Executive Director and Associate Director to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the organization and cultivate strong, lasting relationships with donors, corporate partners, and the broader community.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Fundraising Leadership
Develop and execute a comprehensive development strategy that aligns with the Athenaeum's mission and long-term goals. Oversee all fundraising activities, including major gifts, individual and corporate sponsorships, grants, and in-kind donations. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, ensuring the development of long-term relationships and significant contributions. Lead the creation of compelling donor communications, including personalized appeals, thank-you letters, and impact reports. Collaborate with leadership to establish annual fundraising goals and track progress against those goals.
Corporate Sponsorships & In-Kind Donations
Lead efforts to secure corporate sponsorships for Athenaeum events, programs, and initiatives. Develop and present sponsorship proposals that offer tangible benefits for corporate partners, aligning with their business goals. Cultivate relationships with corporate sponsors to ensure their continued engagement and investment in the organization. Manage in-kind donations, coordinating the solicitation, tracking, and recognition of donated goods and services.
Fundraising Events & Campaigns
Oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of major fundraising events, including ACTC’s annual dinner, quarterly Founders & Friends events, and Suburban Soirées. Collaborate with the marketing and events teams to create engaging and effective fundraising campaigns, both digital and traditional. Ensure events are well-executed, impactful, and aligned with The Athenaeum's mission, while maximizing revenue generation. Lead the development of campaign strategies to increase donor participation and contributions.
Grant Writing & Foundation Relations
Oversee the grant writing process, ensuring the timely submission of high-quality proposals to foundations, government agencies, and other funding sources. Develop and maintain strong relationships with foundation partners and ensure compliance with reporting requirements. Research and identify new grant opportunities to diversify the organization’s funding base.
Board & Leadership Engagement
Work closely with the Executive Director, Associate Director, and Board of Directors to develop fundraising strategies and ensure their involvement in key fundraising initiatives. Prepare regular reports and updates for the Board regarding the progress of fundraising efforts and key donor relationships. Assist in organizing board and donor events to strengthen relationships and engage leadership in fundraising efforts.
Community Engagement & Advocacy
Serve as a key representative of The Athenaeum to external stakeholders, including potential donors, sponsors, and community leaders. Build and sustain relationships with community partners to enhance the Center’s visibility and impact. Engage in public speaking, networking, and advocacy to increase awareness and support for the organization’s mission.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree required At least 5-7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record of securing major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and grants. Experience working in or with faith-based nonprofits is a plus.
Skills & Abilities
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of stakeholders. Strong leadership, management, and team-building skills. Proficiency in fundraising software and Microsoft Office Suite Ability to think strategically while managing day-to-day operations. Knowledge of grant writing and management processes, with experience submitting successful grant proposals. A passion for The Athenaeum's mission and the ability to translate that passion into compelling fundraising efforts.
Personal Attributes
Results-driven with a strong focus on meeting and exceeding fundraising goals. Enthusiastic, personable, and able to build meaningful relationships with donors, partners, and staff.
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Development Director
role at
Southland Holdings 2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants Join to apply for the
Development Director
role at
Southland Holdings Job Title: Development Director
The Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture
Location: Chicago, IL
About The Athenaeum Center For Thought & Culture
The Athenaeum Center was built in 1911 on the St. Alphonsus campus and is home to Chicago’s oldest continuously-operating off-Loop theater. Our mission is to invite people into encounters with beauty and to revitalize the great Catholic tradition of the arts from our location in one of Chicago’s most unique religious, artistic, and civic buildings. At the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture, we believe that beauty has the capacity to build up culture, transform society, and change lives. We hope to help you contemplate, encounter, and delight in beauty.
Job Overview
The Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and strategic Development Director to lead all aspects of the organization’s fundraising efforts. The Development Director will be responsible for securing major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grants, and in-kind donations. The Director will work closely with the Executive Director and Associate Director to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the organization and cultivate strong, lasting relationships with donors, corporate partners, and the broader community.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Fundraising Leadership
Develop and execute a comprehensive development strategy that aligns with the Athenaeum's mission and long-term goals. Oversee all fundraising activities, including major gifts, individual and corporate sponsorships, grants, and in-kind donations. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, ensuring the development of long-term relationships and significant contributions. Lead the creation of compelling donor communications, including personalized appeals, thank-you letters, and impact reports. Collaborate with leadership to establish annual fundraising goals and track progress against those goals.
Corporate Sponsorships & In-Kind Donations
Lead efforts to secure corporate sponsorships for Athenaeum events, programs, and initiatives. Develop and present sponsorship proposals that offer tangible benefits for corporate partners, aligning with their business goals. Cultivate relationships with corporate sponsors to ensure their continued engagement and investment in the organization. Manage in-kind donations, coordinating the solicitation, tracking, and recognition of donated goods and services.
Fundraising Events & Campaigns
Oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of major fundraising events, including ACTC’s annual dinner, quarterly Founders & Friends events, and Suburban Soirées. Collaborate with the marketing and events teams to create engaging and effective fundraising campaigns, both digital and traditional. Ensure events are well-executed, impactful, and aligned with The Athenaeum's mission, while maximizing revenue generation. Lead the development of campaign strategies to increase donor participation and contributions.
Grant Writing & Foundation Relations
Oversee the grant writing process, ensuring the timely submission of high-quality proposals to foundations, government agencies, and other funding sources. Develop and maintain strong relationships with foundation partners and ensure compliance with reporting requirements. Research and identify new grant opportunities to diversify the organization’s funding base.
Board & Leadership Engagement
Work closely with the Executive Director, Associate Director, and Board of Directors to develop fundraising strategies and ensure their involvement in key fundraising initiatives. Prepare regular reports and updates for the Board regarding the progress of fundraising efforts and key donor relationships. Assist in organizing board and donor events to strengthen relationships and engage leadership in fundraising efforts.
Community Engagement & Advocacy
Serve as a key representative of The Athenaeum to external stakeholders, including potential donors, sponsors, and community leaders. Build and sustain relationships with community partners to enhance the Center’s visibility and impact. Engage in public speaking, networking, and advocacy to increase awareness and support for the organization’s mission.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree required At least 5-7 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record of securing major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and grants. Experience working in or with faith-based nonprofits is a plus.
Skills & Abilities
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire a wide range of stakeholders. Strong leadership, management, and team-building skills. Proficiency in fundraising software and Microsoft Office Suite Ability to think strategically while managing day-to-day operations. Knowledge of grant writing and management processes, with experience submitting successful grant proposals. A passion for The Athenaeum's mission and the ability to translate that passion into compelling fundraising efforts.
Personal Attributes
Results-driven with a strong focus on meeting and exceeding fundraising goals. Enthusiastic, personable, and able to build meaningful relationships with donors, partners, and staff.
Powered by JazzHR Seniority level
Seniority level Mid-Senior level Employment type
Employment type Full-time Job function
Job function Other Industries Construction Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Southland Holdings by 2x Get notified about new Director of Development jobs in
Chicago, IL . Chicago, IL $150,000.00-$200,000.00 1 month ago Chicago, IL $70,000.00-$80,000.00 1 month ago Director, L&D, Leadership Development & Coaching
Chicago, IL $153,000.00-$180,000.00 1 week ago (Hybrid) Executive Director, Resilient Chicago Fund
Chicago, IL $155,000.00-$180,000.00 5 days ago Director of Corporate Partner Development
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Chicago, IL $74,375.00-$87,500.00 2 weeks ago Des Plaines, IL $190,000.00-$200,000.00 1 month ago Oak Brook, IL $108,000.00-$130,000.00 2 weeks ago Lisle, IL $100,000.00-$130,000.00 3 weeks ago Senior Associate Director of Development
Chicago, IL $89,250.00-$105,000.00 2 months ago Chicago, IL $125,000.00-$145,000.00 2 days ago Chicago, IL $119,510.00-$180,025.00 1 hour ago Senior Director, Business Development Programs
Chicago, IL $90,000.00-$120,000.00 1 week ago Chicago, IL $100,000.00-$120,000.00 6 days ago Chicago, IL $60,000.00-$75,000.00 4 months ago Director of Training & Development – Manufacturing (Onsite | Hourly Workforce Focus)
Greater Chicago Area $140,000.00-$180,000.00 2 weeks ago Chicago, IL $135,000.00-$144,000.00 1 week ago We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr