Gift Officer

THE EXPERIMENTAL STATION 6100 BLACK•Chicago, IL

2d•$65,000 - $75,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Experimental Station builds the infrastructure and opportunities that enable people and communities to thrive. Rooted in Chicago’s South Side, we connect people, resources, and ideas to build a healthier, more equitable, more vibrant, and sustainable South Side and Illinois. Our programs include Blackstone Bicycle Works, 61st Street Farmers Market, Link Up Illinois, Arts & Culture initiatives, and Business Incubation. We believe in the values of hospitality, diversity, creativity, belonging, and sustainability. We are seeking a relationship-driven fundraising professional who shares these values and wants to make a direct impact on the South Side. The Gift Officer will serve as a frontline fundraiser for Experimental Station's programs. In close partnership with the Senior Development Manager and reporting directly to our Executive Director, you will manage and grow a dedicated portfolio of mid-tier donors, moving them from casual supporters to deeply invested partners and advancing our major donor program goals. Because we are a lean and agile team, you will work directly with leadership on big-picture strategies while also executing daily operations—from gift processing and donor data management to campaigns and special events. If you are strategic, relationship-driven, and ready to take ownership of donor growth alongside a passionate leadership team, you may be an ideal fit.

Requirements

4+ years of progressive fundraising experience within a non-profit environment (e.g., transitioning from Development Associate to Manager or Gift Officer level).
Proven comfort level and experience directly asking individuals for financial support, with a track record of successfully securing gifts.
Exceptional written communication (for appeals and proposals) and verbal communication (for donor meetings and presentations).
A creative, action-oriented approach with the ability to design and execute donor engagement tactics that achieve measurable outcomes.
Experience with data entry hygiene, gift processing, and basic financial reporting (tracking fundraising metrics and understanding budgets).
A strong desire to deepen skills in portfolio management, donor solicitation, and campaign execution.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience with Salesforce NPSP or a similar non-profit CRM (Raiser's Edge, DonorPerfect, Blackbaud).
Prior experience assisting with annual funds, special campaigns, peer-to-peer fundraising, or comprehensive campaigns.
Experience building corporate or institutional relationships (drafting sponsorship packages or grant proposals).
Experience executing fundraising events, galas, and donor receptions (logistics and guest-facing support).

Responsibilities

Manage a dedicated portfolio of ~150 mid-tier donors, serving as their primary point of contact and building long-term, meaningful relationships.
Partner with the Senior Development Manager to execute personalized cultivation and stewardship plans aimed at increasing donor retention and upgrading giving levels.
Conduct direct, in-person solicitations, confidently asking for renewals, upgrades, and special campaign gifts.
Coordinate donor recognition efforts, ensuring all gifts are acknowledged promptly, creatively, and meaningfully.
Work with the Board of Directors and engaged volunteers on a Fundraising/Major Gifts Committee to develop capacity for a steady major giving ($5k+) program.
Cultivate and manage a future Associate Board focused on fundraising in collaboration with the Senior Development Manager under organizational leadership oversight.
Collaborate closely with the Senior Development Manager and Executive Director on the strategy, timeline, and execution of the Annual Fund and seasonal fundraising campaigns.
Write compelling solicitation letters, digital appeals, and donor communication materials, and support social media campaigns alongside communications staff.
Play a key role in planning and executing fundraising events and galas, from guest outreach to on-site logistics.
Accurately track, log, process, and acknowledge incoming individual gifts in Salesforce NPSP, ensuring high data integrity.
Manage the donor database/CRM to track interactions, maintain clean records, and pull actionable reports to keep leadership informed on progress.