Director of Individual Giving

GOODMAN THEATRE•Chicago, IL

76d•$100,000 - $125,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Individual Giving leads the Individual Giving team to achieve ambitious contributed income goals through data-driven strategies including both annual fund and planned giving. As a key collaborator on the Development Team, the Director of Individual Giving will work closely with the Chief Development Officer, Deputy Director of Development, senior leadership and board leadership to maximize revenue, develop talent, and support the operations of our world-class theater.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in non-profit fundraising.
3-5 years of direct experience with personal, one-on-one cultivation and solicitation of individual donors with a demonstrated ability to establish solid donor relationships and meet major gifts fundraising goals.
3-5 years of experience managing and motivating staff.
Strong strategic acumen; ability to process, research and create solicitation strategies; ability to articulate strategies to volunteers and execute strategies with donors (on a one-on-one basis and in partnership with volunteers); major focus on establishing, building and maintaining relationships with donors.
Previous experience working with high-level volunteers.
A disciplined approach to renewing existing donors and a proactive approach to seeking out new ones.
Exceptional interpersonal, writing, and presentation skills; a high level of professionalism and integrity.
Team player with superior organizational, strong analytical, computer and database skills. Experience and comfort with Word, Excel and Tessitura (or other comparable fundraising database).
Model Behavior and values consistent with The Goodman’s Community Agreements and furthering The Goodman’s IDEAA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism and Access) goals.

Responsibilities

Oversee all fundraising activities related to annual individual giving, spanning grassroots, circle giving, major gifts and principal gifts to collectively raise $3.7M+ in annual support.
Establish area goals for each donor category and track progress in collaboration with the Development department.
Personally manage a portfolio of 75-100 prospects with the capacity to make five- and six-figure annual gifts to The Goodman.
Directly supervise the Philanthropy Officer and Senior Manager of Individual & Major Gifts; indirectly supervise Annual Fund Associate.
Oversee a major gift prospect management system to track prospect activity including cultivation, solicitation, stewardship and recognition. Hold staff accountable for steady progress toward goals.
Craft and execute strategies for soliciting production sponsorships, education and new play development programs, accessibility and IDEAA initiatives, special initiatives and general operating funds. Consider innovative approaches and models by working with the Development team.
Regularly meet prospects at the theater for cultivation and sustainably manage team of fundraisers to do the same.
Work with Goodman volunteers from the Board of Trustees, Women’s Board and Scenemakers to solicit prospects; coach Individual Giving team members to do the same.
Guide and collaborate with the Individual Giving team and Development Coordinator on solicitation materials and collateral.
Work with the Development team to plan annual donor stewardship events and other recognition/benefit opportunities to engage new donors and encourage upgraded gifts.
Collaborate with the Senior Manager of Individual & Major Gifts to expand and foster the widespread awareness of the planned giving program (“The Spotlight Society”) by qualifying Goodman prospects for planned gifts.
Qualify and cultivate Goodman prospects (targeted at 50% of portfolio) for first-time and increased gifts.
Record interactions with prospective donors in the Goodman’s Tessitura database.
Provide staffing support for Development Office special events.