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Assistant Development Director Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Director of Development

Decatur, IL · On-site

$74K - $92K/yr

The Director of Development also will research, identify, and evaluate potential business ... to assist in agency development and marketing responsibilities. * Assumes the responsibility to ...

The Director will have a number of direct reports and is expected to be hands-on with the ... Responsibilities * Assist in the development of the market strategy and then drive and execute ...

New

Business Development Director Consumer Care - Decatur, IL Consumer Care Business Development ... * Assist Sales in prospecting for new customers to drive additional growth. Ideally bring new ...

Business Development Director Plant Health - Decatur, IL Plant Health Business Development Director ... * Assist Sales in prospecting for new customers to drive additional growth. Ideally bring new ...

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Showing results 1-20

Assistant Development Director information

See Illinois salary details

$24.2K

$69.7K

$142.4K

How much do assistant development director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant development director in Illinois is $69,741.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,100.00 and $86,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an assistant development director do?

An Assistant Development Director supports the Development Director in managing fundraising strategies, donor relations, and event planning for an organization, often within non-profits or educational institutions. Their responsibilities typically include coordinating fundraising campaigns, assisting with grant writing, managing donor databases, and supporting stewardship efforts. They may also help with budget management, marketing efforts, and volunteer coordination to ensure fundraising goals are met. This role is key in helping the organization build strong relationships with donors and secure the resources necessary for its mission.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant development director?

To thrive as an Assistant Development Director, you need a solid background in fundraising, donor relations, and project management, often supported by a degree in nonprofit management, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with donor management systems like Raiser’s Edge or Salesforce, and experience with grant writing and event planning, are typically required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, persuasive communication, and strategic thinking help build lasting partnerships and motivate teams. These competencies ensure successful fundraising campaigns, strong stakeholder engagement, and the overall growth of the organization.

How does an assistant development director typically collaborate with other departments within a nonprofit organization?

An Assistant Development Director works closely with various departments, such as marketing, communications, finance, and program teams, to coordinate fundraising campaigns and donor engagement initiatives. They often partner with communications staff to create compelling messaging, with finance to ensure proper tracking of donations, and with program teams to understand funding needs and impact stories. This cross-departmental collaboration ensures that fundraising efforts are aligned with the organization’s mission and that donors receive accurate, inspiring updates. Building strong relationships internally is key to creating successful fundraising strategies and advancing organizational goals.

What is the difference between Assistant Development Director vs Development Coordinator?

AspectAssistant Development DirectorDevelopment Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's degree, experience in fundraising or developmentBachelor's degree often preferred, entry-level experience
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, educational institutions, arts organizationsNonprofits, community organizations, charities
ResponsibilitiesSupports development strategies, manages donor relations, assists in campaign planningCoordinates events, manages donor databases, assists with communication

The Assistant Development Director typically holds a more strategic role with responsibilities in planning and donor management, while the Development Coordinator focuses on operational tasks like event coordination and database management. Both roles are essential in nonprofit fundraising but differ in scope and seniority.

What are the most commonly searched types of Development Director jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Development Director jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Assistant Development Director jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Assistant Development Director job openings:

$75K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

Inspire Philanthropy. Build Community. Save Lives.
The Belleville Area Humane Society (BAHS) is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven Development Director to lead and grow our fundraising program. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced nonprofit development professional who is passionate about animal welfare and eager to make a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of homeless animals and the people who love them.
As a key member of the leadership team, the Development Director will develop and execute a comprehensive annual fundraising strategy that supports a philanthropic budget of approximately one million dollars. Working in partnership with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and leadership team, this individual will cultivate meaningful relationships with donors, corporations, foundations, and community partners while overseeing fundraising events, donor stewardship, marketing initiatives, and development operations.
If you thrive on building relationships, creating fundraising strategies, and inspiring others to invest in a meaningful mission, we encourage you to apply.
Key Responsibilities:
Fundraising Strategy & Leadership
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive annual fundraising plan to meet organizational revenue goals.
  • Build and strengthen a diversified fundraising program that includes individual giving, major gifts, annual giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation support, grants, planned giving, and special events.
  • Establish measurable fundraising goals, monitor progress, and adjust strategies as needed.
  • Prepare regular fundraising reports and performance metrics for the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
  • Serve as a member of the leadership team, contributing to organizational planning and strategic initiatives.

Major Gifts & Donor Relations
  • Manage and grow a portfolio of approximately sixty-five major donor prospects and current donors.
  • Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for major gift donors.
  • Partner with the Executive Director to coordinate donor meetings, cultivation activities, and solicitation strategies.
  • Conduct prospect research to identify new individual, corporate, foundation, and government funding opportunities.
  • Develop meaningful stewardship plans that strengthen long-term donor relationships and increase philanthropic investment.
  • Ensure timely donor recognition, gift acknowledgments, and stewardship communications.

Board & Volunteer Engagement
  • Partner with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to strengthen fundraising capacity.
  • Support Board fundraising committees through planning, coaching, reporting, and strategic guidance.
  • Assist Board members in identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospective donors.
  • Provide fundraising education and tools that increase Board engagement in philanthropy.

Grants & Institutional Giving
  • Research, identify, and pursue grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
  • Collaborate with the Executive Director, Executive Medical Director, and program staff to develop competitive grant proposals.
  • Manage multiple grant opportunities simultaneously throughout the full grant lifecycle, including research, writing, submission, reporting, compliance, and closeout.
  • Prepare compelling narratives, budgets, statistical reports, and supporting documentation.
  • Maintain grant calendars and ensure timely reporting requirements are met.

Events & Community Engagement
  • Provide strategic oversight for all fundraising events.
  • Supervise event planning, logistics, timelines, budgets, sponsorships, volunteer coordination, vendor management, and day-of-event operations.
  • Support event committees, staff, volunteers, and Board members to maximize fundraising success.
  • Evaluate event outcomes and recommend improvements for future events.

Marketing & Communications
  • Oversee the organization's marketing and communications strategy to strengthen donor engagement and public awareness.
  • Ensure consistent organizational branding across all communication channels.
  • Oversee the organization's website and digital presence.
  • Direct email marketing campaigns and donor communications.
  • Oversee social media strategy and content planning.
  • Coordinate the development and production of fundraising appeals, newsletters, annual campaigns, event materials, and other promotional publications.
  • Collaborate with staff and outside vendors to produce high-quality marketing materials.

Development Operations
  • Oversee all donor database management and fundraising reporting.
  • Ensure accurate gift entry, donor records, acknowledgments, and campaign tracking.
  • Supervise and support the Development Associate in maintaining donor records, gift processing, reporting, and administrative functions.
  • Utilize CRM systems to analyze donor trends, campaign performance, and fundraising effectiveness.
  • Develop reports and dashboards that support organizational decision-making.
  • Ensure compliance with donor confidentiality and ethical fundraising standards.

Leadership Competencies
The successful Development Director will demonstrate:
  • Strategic thinking and planning
  • Relationship building and donor-centered fundraising
  • Collaborative leadership
  • Financial and analytical acumen
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Initiative and accountability
  • Adaptability and problem-solving
  • Professional integrity and confidentiality
  • Passion for animal welfare and community engagement

Essential Qualifications
Required:
  • Demonstrated success in nonprofit fundraising and development leadership.
  • Experience managing fundraising events and donor engagement activities.
  • Experience developing and implementing fundraising strategies.
  • Experience managing social media, digital communications, and marketing initiatives.
  • Strong knowledge of donor CRM systems, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and database management
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Exceptional organizational, project management, and analytical skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, Board members, and community partners.
  • Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the Belleville Area Humane Society
  • Ability to attend evening and weekend fundraising events as needed.
  • Ability to travel locally for donor meetings, community events, and partnership development.

Preferred:
  • Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, Communications, Philanthropy, Marketing, or a related field
  • Five or more years of progressively responsible nonprofit development leadership
  • Three or more years of major gift fundraising experience with demonstrated success cultivating and soliciting donors.
  • Grant writing and grant management experience
  • Experience supervising development staff.

Why Join BAHS?
At Belleville Area Humane Society, every donation helps save lives. Our team is passionate, collaborative, and committed to strengthening the bond between people and animals throughout our community. As Development Director, you will play a vital role in shaping the future of our organization while building meaningful relationships with supporters who make our mission possible.
If you are an experienced fundraising professional who enjoys strategic leadership, donor engagement, and creating lasting community impact, we invite you to apply.
Salary: $75,000 to $85,000 (Exempt)
Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday, in person at the Belleville Area Humane Society.