Director of Community Engagement

Job Title: Director of Community Engagement

Department: Resource Development

Reports To: Chief Advancement Officer

Status: Full time

A Dynamic Team on a Great Mission

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northwest Suburbs (BGCNWS, formerly Dundee Township) was founded in 1997 with the mission of enabling all young people, especially those who need it the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible community members. In our 28-year history, BGCNWS has become the premier local provider of after-school youth programming. Our core program areas are Life & Workforce Readiness; Character & Leadership Development; Healthy Lifestyles; Creative Arts; and Fitness & Recreation.

Each of our 12 program sites are strategically located in high need, under-served neighborhoods in five communities. We are thrilled to begin the development of our 45,000 square foot innovative Community Impact Center at the former Woodland School in Carpentersville, which focuses on Life and Workforce Readiness programs for middle school and high school students, featuring a Culinary Arts Cafe, Creative Arts Lab, TechLab, BuildLab MakerSpace, and BelongLab as well as a gymnasium and academic center.

BGCNWS engages a community collaborative approach with school districts, park district and business partners to provide effective afterschool programs to develop the mindset and skillset in our kids that are critical to life success. We’re searching for a passionate candidate to join our dynamic team of committed professionals in a fun, engaging and rewarding environment to help build great futures for our youth.

Position Overview:

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northwest Suburbs (BGCNWS) is seeking a highly motivated and dynamic Director of Community Engagement responsible for the development and execution of a comprehensive community engagement strategy aimed at cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors, partners, and volunteers. This position will play a key role in building meaningful relationships with corporate partners, private donors, and other nonprofit organizations, promoting BGCNWS in a positive and impactful manner. By leveraging strong community board development skills, fundraising expertise, and corporate giving strategies, the Director of Community Engagement ensures that adequate resources are secured to meet organizational goals, build sustainability and support the continued growth of the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

Community Engagement:

• Implement fundraising and engagement strategies to promote long-term community involvement and sustainable giving
• Coordinate and manage engagement and ‘friend raising’ events, including Club site tours with prospective donors and corporate partners.
• Build and nurture relationships with potential donors, partners, ensuring they are engaged and informed about their return on investment.
• Promote Community Board events to boost attendance and broaden our reach.
• Develop and execute a multi-faceted donor engagement plan, reporting consistently on progress.
• Aggressively follow-up with event attendees and interested community members to explore further engagement and deepen relationships.
• Attend and represent BGCNWS at community events, building and nurturing relationships with local business leaders, civic organizations, other community groups to excpand the organization’s network.
• Promote the mission and vision of the Boys & Girls Clubs through various community outreach initiatives and media channels.

Fundraising and Corporate Giving:

• Develop and manage a comprehensive annual fundraising plan to meet and exceed revenue goals, including individual, corporate, and foundation support.
• Engage in corporate giving strategies and develop strong partnerships with local businesses and corporations to establish partnerships and secure sponsorships.
• Work closely with the Chief Advancement Officer, Resource Development Team and the community Board to establish fundraising priorities and ensure alignment with organizational needs.
• Develop personalized engagement plans to appropriately cultivate, solicit and deepen the relationship with prospective individual major donors identified through community engagement events and board and volunteer partner networks.
• Develop strategies to cultivate, solicit and steward private and public funding sources, engaging the Community Board as necessary.
• Oversee donor recognition programs, including donor communications and events, ensuring donors feel appreciated and valued.
• Prepare regular reports for the CEO, CAO, Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders on fundraising progress and outcomes.

Community Board and Committee Development:

• Ensure best practices in local board development and engagement to create a high-functioning community board that effectively supports the organization’s strategic goals.
• Oversee board recruitment, onboarding, and training, ensuring high standards and quality in volunteer leadership.
• Provide ongoing board administration and support, including preparing monthly reports and board meeting materials, and maintaining effective communication with board members.
• Work closely with the community board and senior leadership to evaluate board performance and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Train, place, and supervise fundraising volunteers, ensuring they are equipped to succeed in their roles.

Operational and Strategic Support:

• Ensure the organization’s fundraising activities are compliant with relevant regulations, standards, and ethical principles.
• Create a positive and rewarding work environment for staff and volunteers, ensuring that the development function runs smoothly and efficiently.
• Support the Chief Advancement Officer and leadership in monitoring and evaluating the organization’s annual fund development activities, offering recommendations for improvement as needed.
• Collaborate with the marketing and communications team to develop compelling messaging and promotional materials to support fundraising efforts.

Collaboration and Leadership:

• Work closely with the CEO, CAO and senior leadership to facilitate board and committee interactions, ensuring that they are working effectively toward common fundraising goals.
• Foster a collaborative and engaging environment among staff, volunteers, and the community to achieve the organization’s mission.

Qualifications and Qualities of our Ideal Candidate:

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, communications, or a related field.
• 5 years of experience in nonprofit community engagement, fundraising, corporate giving, or related fields, with a demonstrated track record of success.
• Proven experience with community board development and volunteer management.
• Strong knowledge and experience with major gift fundraising, moves management or other community engagement and fundraising models.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and engage diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a flexible approach to meeting goals and deadlines.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Experience in corporate and major gift fundraising, including solicitation and stewardship.
• Demonstrate a high level of integrity, with a strong commitment to ethics and accountability in fundraising.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Innovative and strategic thinker, capable of developing new ideas to engage donors and expand fundraising efforts.
• Passion for the mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs and a deep commitment to community service.

Work Environment:

• This position requires regular attendance at community and fundraising events.
• The ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, to meet the demands of the position.
• Travel within the local service area will be required.

Application Process:

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and interest in the position. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northwest Suburbs is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

Compensation:

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northwest Suburbs offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities. Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

Application Process:

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter detailing your relevant experience and interest in the position. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northwest Suburbs celebrates diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all