Digs With Dignity
Overview
Title:
Director of Donor Development Organization:
Digs with Dignity Location:
Chicago, IL (Hybrid). Full-time. Some evenings and weekends are required. Start Date:
ASAP Salary:
$80K At Digs with Dignity, we aspire to break the cycle of homelessness by furnishing homes with creative, custom designs using sustainable, upcycled solutions. As a 501(c)(3), Digs with Dignity partners with Chicago-based social service agencies to identify those in need and utilizes a warehouse of donated and refurbished furniture and home goods to outfit homes. Founded in 2019, we have helped furnish homes for over 240 families in Chicago while keeping over 265,000 lbs of furniture and waste out of landfills. Our Crew We are team players, creatives, and doers who are passionate about making an impact on the lives of others and on our planet. We roll up our sleeves to get the job done and dont mind getting dirty. We sweat the small stuff to best serve our families. We are deeply committed to instilling dignity in families and homes. Our work is life-changing, and we like having fun doing it. We seek a relationship-driven fundraising professional to serve as our next Director of Donor Development. This individual will play a pivotal role in strengthening and expanding Digs with Dignitys base of support by cultivating meaningful donor relationships, securing philanthropic partnerships, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our mission. Reporting to the Head of External Affairs, the Director of Donor Development will focus on stewarding mid-level, major, and corporate donors, while supporting special events, grant initiatives, and donor communications. They will collaborate closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Donor Development Committee to meet ambitious fundraising goals and position DIGS for continued growth. The ideal candidate is a proactive and detail-oriented professional who thrives on building authentic connections with donors, corporate partners, and foundations. A strong communicator and strategist, they will bring creativity, persistence, and a growth mindset to expanding DIGS impact. If you are inspired by the idea of breaking the cycle of homelessness and want to put your fundraising expertise to work for families across Chicago, wed love to meet you. Role Responsibilities
Fundraising & Development Strategy Develop and execute comprehensive strategies for mid-level, major, and corporate donors, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Establish annual fundraising goals and long-term development plans in collaboration with the Head of External Affairs, Executive Director, and Board. Stay current with fundraising trends in the Chicago nonprofit sector to inform strategies. Ensure proper tracking, collection, and reporting of donations through the donor database (Neon One). Donor Cultivation, Engagement & Stewardship Build and strengthen relationships with corporate, foundation, and individual donors to expand long-term support. Identify and cultivate new high-net-worth prospects and corporate partners. Manage donor stewardship plans, personalized engagement strategies, and recognition efforts. Support donor engagement through furniture drives, third-party events, and volunteer initiatives. Corporate Giving, Foundations & Grants Secure corporate partnerships and sponsorships for DIGS Day, warehouse volunteer events, and annual fundraising campaigns. Develop mutually beneficial relationships with corporate sponsors and family foundations. Research, write, and manage grant proposals while maintaining strong funder relationships. Support client data collection and reporting to ensure compliance with grant requirements. Events & Fundraising Initiatives Support strategy, sponsorship acquisition, and execution for the Annual Gala, Earth Day fundraiser, and other events generating $350k+ annually. Manage third-party fundraising events (e.g., WIPA, Junior League Club events, Law Rocks, Hops for Humanity) and identify new opportunities. Grow The Neighborhood Monthly Giving Program in 2026 to build consistent donor engagement. Administration & Financial Planning Collaborate with the Executive Director, Head of External Affairs, Board, and consultants to create an annual fundraising plan and long-term strategy. Monitor financial reports, cash flow, and key development metrics to ensure data-driven decisions. Maintain accurate donor records, reports, and fundraising trackers. Crew Culture
Demonstrates a strong commitment to Digs with Dignitys mission and vision for families. Displays a desire to work with culturally diverse populations using a compassionate, collaborative, and respectful approach. Cultivates a high-performance and inclusive culture by maintaining positive working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders. Reflective about personal strengths and areas for growth, balancing confidence with humility. Brings enthusiasm, resilience, and adaptability to a dynamic, growth-oriented environment. Qualifications & Requirements
Experience & Education Bachelors Degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, or related field. 8+ years of nonprofit fundraising or donor development experience with demonstrated success in cultivating and closing gifts. Strong track record in corporate partnerships, event sponsorships, and donor stewardship. Experience with grant writing, prospect research, and funder relations. Core Competencies Collaboration & Teamwork: Ability to work cross-functionally with leadership, Board members, and volunteers. Strategic Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to engage and inspire donors. Emotional Intelligence: Builds trust and strong relationships with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. Analytical Thinking: Uses data to assess fundraising performance and donor engagement strategies. Adaptability & Growth Mindset: Thrives in a dynamic environment, comfortable with change and innovation. Technical Skills Proficiency with donor management databases (Neon One preferred), Google Workspace, and fundraising analytics tools. Strong grant writing, sponsorship outreach, and donor communication abilities. Familiarity with event management and corporate engagement best practices.
Benefits
Unlimited PTO and 401k plan. Opportunities for career advancement within a growing and impactful organization. Hybrid work schedule. Medical benefits. How to Apply: Email your resume to Joinourteam@digswithdignity.org. We are an equal-opportunity employer and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for everyone and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, prioritizing those with experience serving the populations we work with. We believe everyone deserves respect and equal opportunity regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Title:
Director of Donor Development Organization:
Digs with Dignity Location:
Chicago, IL (Hybrid). Full-time. Some evenings and weekends are required. Start Date:
ASAP Salary:
$80K At Digs with Dignity, we aspire to break the cycle of homelessness by furnishing homes with creative, custom designs using sustainable, upcycled solutions. As a 501(c)(3), Digs with Dignity partners with Chicago-based social service agencies to identify those in need and utilizes a warehouse of donated and refurbished furniture and home goods to outfit homes. Founded in 2019, we have helped furnish homes for over 240 families in Chicago while keeping over 265,000 lbs of furniture and waste out of landfills. Our Crew We are team players, creatives, and doers who are passionate about making an impact on the lives of others and on our planet. We roll up our sleeves to get the job done and dont mind getting dirty. We sweat the small stuff to best serve our families. We are deeply committed to instilling dignity in families and homes. Our work is life-changing, and we like having fun doing it. We seek a relationship-driven fundraising professional to serve as our next Director of Donor Development. This individual will play a pivotal role in strengthening and expanding Digs with Dignitys base of support by cultivating meaningful donor relationships, securing philanthropic partnerships, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our mission. Reporting to the Head of External Affairs, the Director of Donor Development will focus on stewarding mid-level, major, and corporate donors, while supporting special events, grant initiatives, and donor communications. They will collaborate closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Donor Development Committee to meet ambitious fundraising goals and position DIGS for continued growth. The ideal candidate is a proactive and detail-oriented professional who thrives on building authentic connections with donors, corporate partners, and foundations. A strong communicator and strategist, they will bring creativity, persistence, and a growth mindset to expanding DIGS impact. If you are inspired by the idea of breaking the cycle of homelessness and want to put your fundraising expertise to work for families across Chicago, wed love to meet you. Role Responsibilities
Fundraising & Development Strategy Develop and execute comprehensive strategies for mid-level, major, and corporate donors, including cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Establish annual fundraising goals and long-term development plans in collaboration with the Head of External Affairs, Executive Director, and Board. Stay current with fundraising trends in the Chicago nonprofit sector to inform strategies. Ensure proper tracking, collection, and reporting of donations through the donor database (Neon One). Donor Cultivation, Engagement & Stewardship Build and strengthen relationships with corporate, foundation, and individual donors to expand long-term support. Identify and cultivate new high-net-worth prospects and corporate partners. Manage donor stewardship plans, personalized engagement strategies, and recognition efforts. Support donor engagement through furniture drives, third-party events, and volunteer initiatives. Corporate Giving, Foundations & Grants Secure corporate partnerships and sponsorships for DIGS Day, warehouse volunteer events, and annual fundraising campaigns. Develop mutually beneficial relationships with corporate sponsors and family foundations. Research, write, and manage grant proposals while maintaining strong funder relationships. Support client data collection and reporting to ensure compliance with grant requirements. Events & Fundraising Initiatives Support strategy, sponsorship acquisition, and execution for the Annual Gala, Earth Day fundraiser, and other events generating $350k+ annually. Manage third-party fundraising events (e.g., WIPA, Junior League Club events, Law Rocks, Hops for Humanity) and identify new opportunities. Grow The Neighborhood Monthly Giving Program in 2026 to build consistent donor engagement. Administration & Financial Planning Collaborate with the Executive Director, Head of External Affairs, Board, and consultants to create an annual fundraising plan and long-term strategy. Monitor financial reports, cash flow, and key development metrics to ensure data-driven decisions. Maintain accurate donor records, reports, and fundraising trackers. Crew Culture
Demonstrates a strong commitment to Digs with Dignitys mission and vision for families. Displays a desire to work with culturally diverse populations using a compassionate, collaborative, and respectful approach. Cultivates a high-performance and inclusive culture by maintaining positive working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders. Reflective about personal strengths and areas for growth, balancing confidence with humility. Brings enthusiasm, resilience, and adaptability to a dynamic, growth-oriented environment. Qualifications & Requirements
Experience & Education Bachelors Degree in Nonprofit Management, Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, or related field. 8+ years of nonprofit fundraising or donor development experience with demonstrated success in cultivating and closing gifts. Strong track record in corporate partnerships, event sponsorships, and donor stewardship. Experience with grant writing, prospect research, and funder relations. Core Competencies Collaboration & Teamwork: Ability to work cross-functionally with leadership, Board members, and volunteers. Strategic Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to engage and inspire donors. Emotional Intelligence: Builds trust and strong relationships with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. Analytical Thinking: Uses data to assess fundraising performance and donor engagement strategies. Adaptability & Growth Mindset: Thrives in a dynamic environment, comfortable with change and innovation. Technical Skills Proficiency with donor management databases (Neon One preferred), Google Workspace, and fundraising analytics tools. Strong grant writing, sponsorship outreach, and donor communication abilities. Familiarity with event management and corporate engagement best practices.
Benefits
Unlimited PTO and 401k plan. Opportunities for career advancement within a growing and impactful organization. Hybrid work schedule. Medical benefits. How to Apply: Email your resume to Joinourteam@digswithdignity.org. We are an equal-opportunity employer and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for everyone and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, prioritizing those with experience serving the populations we work with. We believe everyone deserves respect and equal opportunity regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. #J-18808-Ljbffr