Director of Individual Giving

Des Plaines, Illinois

Life Span is hiring a Director of Individual Giving to design and implement a comprehensive program of fundraising activities to achieve annual and long-range goals.

This is a hybrid remote position based in Des Plaines, Illinois.

Life Span empowers survivors of domestic and sexual violence to demand safety as a human right through client-centered services and leads social change through accountability, community engagement, and systemic advocacy. 

Life Span is a nationally known leader in the provision of services to victims of violence and their children. Our comprehensive services include criminal court advocacy representation in civil protective order cases, expert representation in family law cases, and counseling for survivors and their children. Our work encompasses such issues as immigration, employment issues, sexual assault civil no contact orders, the effects of trauma on clients and their children, teen dating violence, and the criminalization of survivors. Our agency has two sites, and services are available in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Polish, Arabic and Assyrian. All services are free of charge. Life Span provides national leadership in policy work and systemic advocacy, and our staff has trained advocates, lawyers, judges, counselors and other professionals in Illinois and across the country on critical issues and innovative practices.

Life Span values diversity—in strengths, backgrounds and lived experiences.  It is essential that our staff and leadership reflect the communities that we serve.  We are committed to creating an anti-oppression framework and seek candidates who share this commitment.   

Position Summary: 

Director of Individual Giving works with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to design and implement a comprehensive program of fundraising activities to achieve annual and long-range goals. By managing and leading the individual giving and fundraising efforts, the Director of Individual Giving plays a crucial role in Life Span’s success and financial sustainability.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as non-profit management, business administration, marketing, communications or a related field.
•  Minimum of five years increasing responsibility and demonstrated achievement of results in all aspects of fundraising, including researching and identifying donors, grant writing, and major gift solicitation.
• Experience in major gift solicitation and managing relationships with high-net-worth individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Minimum two years of staff supervision experience.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, sound organizational abilities.
• A high degree of creativity and initiative.
• The ability to manage multiple projects.
• ·Proficiency in Microsoft 365 including MS Teams, PowerPoint, Word & Excel.
• Ability to develop and implement long-term development strategies aligned with Life Span’s mission and goals.
• Knowledge of and interest in efforts to end domestic and sexual violence, women’s issues, issues affecting vulnerable populations including low-income families.
• Knowledge of the local philanthropic community
•  Proficiency with online fundraising platforms and social media tools for digital fundraising efforts. 

Reports To: Executive Director

Responsibilities:

• Develop, organize and implement a strategic annual fundraising plan.
• Develop and implement a planned giving program.
• Cultivate donor relationships providing consistent engagement and communications.
• Provide leadership and direct participation in identifying, soliciting, cultivating and stewardship of individual, organizational and corporate donors and event sponsorship.
• Support and collaborate across Agency programs, and generate staff support for Life span fundraising.
• Effectively communicate our (mission) story and impact to engage new supporters and increase contributions.
• Create and generate recurring email, social media and direct mail appeals.
• Prepare all communication materials for individual giving plans, and annual reports.
• Provide public relations and communications support to the Executive Director.
• Plan, organize and execute all aspects of Life Span’s annual fundraising event in collaboration with the Board of Directors.
• Represent Life Span at meetings, events, and government funding hearings.
• Integrate Life Span board volunteers in all aspects of Agency fundraising strategy.
• Collaborate in board member and fundraising volunteer recruitment and orientation.

Location and Hours: 

The Development of Individual Giving is a full-time, 40 hours per week position based in the Des Plaines, Illinois, Life Span office.

Life Span is near the Des Plaines METRA station, and accessible via the Blue Line/Pace transit. Des Plaines is a Northwest Chicago suburb. Free parking is available for office building tenants.

Hybrid Position:   This is a hybrid-remote position after onboarding and completion of training.  Remote work up to 16 hours per week at the discretion of Life Span. Internet access is required. Must be accessible and available during work hours by phone and email to perform essential functions of this position.

Compensation:   Life Span values staff as our most important resource and we offer a competitive starting salary of $90,000. Bilingual staff may receive an additional $2,000 per year. Benefits include very generous PTO and holidays, Summer Fridays, life and disability insurance; a 403b plan, health, dental and vision insurance, an Employee Assistance Plan, pre-tax public transit, Health and Dependent Care FSA benefit plan options.

Loan Forgiveness Benefit:   Life Span is a qualifying employer for the federal PSLF program.

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To Apply:  

Please submit your resume and cover letter to the hiring manager at hiring@life-span.org.  

No Telephone Calls Please.