Director of Individual Giving

Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create learning experiences that spark imagination and curiosity. At the Museum in Glenview, IL, children between birth - eight years old can experience 17 interactive exhibits along with hands-on programs that encourage learning through play. Additionally, the Kohl Children's Pop Up Museum and Mobile Learning Lab outreach programs in Lake County, as well as professional teacher training (Early Childhood Connections), reserved days for veterans and active military families (Play Attention), and exclusive times for families with children with special needs (Everyone at Play), are highlights of Kohl. The Museum is open every day and has nearly 300,000 guest visits annually.

The Director of Individual Giving is responsible for the planning and implementation of a comprehensive individual giving program. The ideal candidate will create and execute strategic plans to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective and current donors with a focus on growing the Museum's major gifts program and building the donor pipeline through a robust annual fund. Additional duties include overseeing the Museum's individual annual fund and planned giving efforts; collaborating with staff and volunteers to develop philanthropic and fundraising strategies to strengthen existing relationships and expand the Museum's donor base.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the planning and implementation of all programs and activities designed to advance individual giving to the Museum, including the annual fund, major gifts and planned giving
• Manage a portfolio of approximately 75-100 active donors and prospects with specific goals and benchmarks intended to secure annual, major, planned, and estate gifts; along with determining their level of support and engagement
• Direct the production of all broad-based donor communications, including direct mail, electronic, and social media appeals, impact reports, invitations, and stewardship outreach
• Track, meet and exceed goals for quality monthly visits and yearly proposals and effectively manage a large group of donors and prospects, including those in qualification
• Activate a meaningful stewardship program to maintain personal, regular engagement of major donors
• Support and partner with the VP/Development and the President/CEO on their outreach to individual donors
• Organize prospect visits efficiently and strategically, leveraging key Museum staff, leadership, and/or volunteers as appropriate to build relationships and secure gifts. Communicate with all parties via briefings, cultivation and solicitation plans/updates and donor correspondence.
• Manage the Women's Board, including planning, preparation and participation in regular meetings, volunteer engagement, and oversight of the annual Touch-A-Truck event
• Develop and maintain content expertise by building and maintaining an in-depth knowledge of the integral components of early childhood education and how the Museum's various programs contribute to the positive development of young children and their families
• Record fundraising progress via contact reports, cultivation and solicitation updates, correspondence, and other documentation; document in the database (Altru) in a timely and effective manner

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise the work of the Individual Giving Development Associate who has responsibility for prospect research, development events, annual fund support, major gifts support, and the Development Board (Chip In for Children golf outing)
• Perform annual and mid-year performance evaluation reviews and any performance feedback and/or coaching

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS THE FOLLOWING:

• Minimum of 5 years of increasing management responsibilities and development experience with a deep focus on major gifts and personal solicitation
• Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree a plus but not required in Business or related field
• Demonstrated success in building relationships with prospective donors and securing major gifts
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to maintain a high level of poise and professionalism in all circumstances
• Demonstrated ability to take primary responsibility for a diverse number of projects and to complete them in a timely manner with limited supervision
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to work well independently and in a team environment
• Good working knowledge of current trends in donor-centric engagement and charitable giving
• Knowledge of Chicago philanthropic community
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Power Point, and Excel; experience using Altru (or similar database) preferred
• Must have flexibility with work schedule, as necessary, to support weekend scheduling and/or evening activities

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Customary office-related activities: standing, walking, sitting, bending
• Ability to lift containers up to 15 pounds

BENEFITS

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Disability
• Paid Time Off
• 401(k)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Museum Membership