Associate, Development

The Chicago Public Education Fund • Chicago, IL

7d • $59,000 - $74,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Development Associate plays a cross-functional role in advancing The Fund’s institutional fundraising strategy, stewardship, governance support, and data integrity. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Development, this position supports the full lifecycle of foundation, corporate, and individual fundraising—from stewardship and renewals to prospecting, proposal development, systems optimization, and governance coordination—ensuring accuracy, coordination, and follow-through. Following the 2023 launch of the Chicago Leads campaign, The Fund is now focused on stewardship, reporting, and renewals to sustain long-term funder relationships through 2030 and beyond. As the organization prepares for its next phase of fundraising growth, including increased prospecting and proposal activity beginning in 2027, this role will prioritize reporting, renewals, and infrastructure-building in the near term, gradually shifting toward expanded proposal writing and new solicitations. This is a high-ownership, detail-intensive role that translates strategy and impact into compelling, data-driven communications while strengthening the systems that support long-term fundraising success.

Requirements

• Evidence of strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills or strong data systems and CRM management skills; experience in both areas is welcome but not required.
• Ability to prepare clean, compelling slide presentations; design experience is strongly preferred.
• Ability to translate data, research, or policy into accessible, funder-facing communications.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong project management, deadline management, and follow-through skills.
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Nice To Haves

• A minimum of two years of professional experience, preferably in development, advancement, sales, or another relationship-driven field.
• Experience identifying and researching institutional funders using iWave or similar tools (preferred).
• Experience working with nonprofit CRMs; Raiser’s Edge expertise is a strong plus , though not required for all candidates.
• Familiarity with Chicago’s public education landscape is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Stewardship, Reporting & Funder Communications Deliver timely, accurate, and personalized stewardship that strengthens funder relationships, supports governance bodies, and enables effective leadership engagement. Responsibilities Coordinate and maintain core stewardship materials and updates for Board and Leadership Council members , including administration of the annual Board Survey , synthesis of survey results, preparation of Board stewardship updates, and maintenance of Leadership Council website content.
• Manage end-to-end logistical coordination for governance- and donor-facing events, including space reservations, catering orders, vendor coordination, printing of materials, and on-site readiness.
• Support Board and Leadership Council prospecting , including identification, research, internal coordination, and preparation of briefing materials to support leadership decision-making and outreach strategies.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date governance rosters and Outlook distribution lists , ensuring Board and Leadership Council members are correctly reflected in calendars, invitations, and contact lists.
• Support acknowledgment letter workflows for institutional funders in partnership with the Senior Manager of Development.
• Track all stewardship deliverables and funder touchpoints in Raiser’s Edge .
• Prepare and coordinate funder reports and updates in collaboration with Program, Policy, and Finance teams.
• Maintain consistency in tone, messaging, and data across all funder-facing materials.
• Organizational Initiatives, Systems & Committee Support Support organizational initiatives, fundraising systems, governance, and data accuracy across the Development function. Responsibilities Collaborate with the CEO and other chiefs, directors, and senior managers to support cross-organizational fundraising initiatives, partnerships, and strategic alliances.
• Provide high-quality coordination and documentation support for priority organizational initiatives that advance The Fund’s mission and fundraising strategy.
• Support preparation of materials, research, and presentations for Board and committee meetings, including the GOFA (Governance, Operations, Finance & Audit) committee.
• Provide calendaring and coordination support for Senior Manager of Development external meetings, including donor, partner, and stakeholder engagements.
• Prepare concise emails and meeting packets for donor and external meetings, including briefing memos and tailored decks, with a standard 24-hour turnaround when needed.
• Build and maintain fundraising and gift reports in Raiser’s Edge to support Development meetings, leadership reviews, and decision-making.
• Lead a Monthly Financial Review and Raiser’s Edge reconciliation in coordination with Finance to ensure audit readiness and accurate revenue reporting.
• Oversee gift entry in Raiser’s Edge, ensuring timely, accurate coding and compliance with donor intent.
• Coordinate the drafting, design review, and approval of donor acknowledgment letters, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and brand alignment.
• Grant Proposal Management & Institutional Renewals Lead the full grant proposal process to secure renewed and increased institutional support. Responsibilities Manage all stages of grant development, including research, concept notes, proposals, renewals, and submissions.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date tracking of proposals, deadlines, submissions, and renewals across Microsoft Excel, Raiser’s Edge, and Monday.com.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Program, Policy, Communications, and Finance teams to produce high-quality, data-driven proposals aligned with The Fund’s strategy and the Chicago Leads campaign.
• Use AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot) to improve efficiency, clarity, and consistency in proposal drafting and revisions, and to reduce the number of edits required.
• Partner closely with the Senior Manager of Development and the finance team to accurately track solicitations, projections, and commitments.
• Prepare proposal updates and summaries for internal Development reporting, the Board, and senior leadership.
• Foundation & Corporate Prospect Pipeline Development Build and manage a strong pipeline of new funders to support near- and long-term revenue growth. Responsibilities Identify, research, and qualify new foundation, family foundation, and corporate prospects using iWave, Raiser’s Edge, and AI research tools
• Develop concise donor and prospect profiles, including giving history, alignment, and engagement strategy.
• Support creation of customized cultivation materials (pitch decks, one-pagers, corporate booklets).
• Coordinate with Communications and Program teams to align funder engagement with key events and moments.
• Ensure all prospecting activity, outreach, and follow-up is documented in Raiser’s Edge and or Monday.com .

Benefits

• The Fund offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package, including healthcare coverage, retirement contribution, generous paid-time-off for all team members, and paid short-term and family leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees