Development Associate Jobs in Oak Park, IL (NOW HIRING)

Summary: The Senior Development Associate is primarily responsible for assisting the Development team in the implementation of fundraising activities. This role will provide support to and work in collaboration with the Chief Development Officer, Senior Director of Development, Director of Institutional Giving, and Director of Major and Individual Giving. This position requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and an ability to prioritize as well as multi-task. Fund development is essential to the overall success of the organization; it is imperative that the person in this role be dedicated to providing the support needed to assist in securing the resources necessary to fulfill the mission of the organization.
Essential Functions:
Performance in each category will be evaluated based on measurable outcomes aligned to operational, financial, and quality metrics.

1. (55% - Major & Individual Giving Support)

1. Provide support to the major gifts program by maintaining and continuously improving a robust moves management system and key performance indicator tracking in collaboration with the individual giving team.

1. Support the fundraising activities of the major gifts team by ensuring that major gift planning timelines are on track and deadlines are met.
2. Lead the bi-annual major gift appeal mailings, including working with PPIL Board Ambassadors and preparing materials to support their donor outreach, work with PPFA and gift officers on the appeal mailing list and appeal letter, and track major gifts received from the mailing and ensure correct coding in the database.
3. Develop materials to support department goals, including briefing memos, proposals, and reports as requested.
4. Manage the annual Board Commitment Process, which includes creating PPIL and PPIA board trackers, commitment form templates for each PPIL and PPIA board member, outreach to every PPIL and PPIA board member, scheduling meetings with new PPIL and PPIA board members, and tracking completed forms and sending pledge reminders.
5. Support the planned giving program

1. (30% - Data and Donor Relations)

1. Support the Development Data and Operations Manager with the gift entry process, including but not limited to downloading lockbox check scans, entering donations (credit card payments, ACH's, stock transfers, checks) on the monthly gift tracker, and uploading batches into the donor database.
2. Track incoming major gifts and coordinate appropriate acknowledgement and stewardship activities.
3. Serve as the team expert on donor research and prepare research briefings and analysis in anticipation of the needs of the major gifts and senior leadership team.
4. In collaboration with the Public Policy team, ensure timely and accurate reporting of all gifts received by Planned Parenthood Illinois Action PAC to the Illinois State Board of Elections.
5. Produce and prepare special letters and other communications with major gift officers for major gift donors.
6. Work with colleagues at Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) to coordinate, track, and audit shared portfolio plans and reports. Also review lists for exclusive donor opportunities

1. (15% - Development Administrative Support)

1. Provide administrative support to the development leadership team including the Chief Development Officer
2. Coordinate administrative details associated with the Board of Directors' participation in fundraising activities, including coordinating annual fundraising meetings.
3. Produce and prepare special letters and other communications with major gift officers for major gift donors.
4. Assemble donor materials for events and meetings and coordinate meeting logistics.
5. Basic administration functions including office supply ordering.
6. Serve as lead administrative support for board committees, as assigned.

Other responsibilities:
Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to remain informed about PPIL protocols, policies, and procedures. Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to PPIL core values of access, activism, care, confidentiality, equity, inclusion, excellence, integrity, respect, self-determination, and stewardship; practice these values in relations with internal and external customers. Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Extraordinary organizational and communication skills, strong writing skills, and an ability to participate in creative processes for department planning and projecting are required. Ability to cultivate positive, productive relationships with donors and offer excellent customer service. Research skills, including tenacity, perseverance, and strong results focus. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to carry out duties respecting the sensitive and confidential nature of donor-related information and materials, and to demonstrate mature judgment in handling donor concerns. A sincere commitment to the mission and philosophy of Planned Parenthood is required.
Education
Required: High School Diploma/GED required.
Preferred: Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience preferred
Experience
One to three years prior fundraising experience preferred, or equivalent experience in a position involving database management, research, and writing. Strong working knowledge of MS Office software and fundraising database programs is required.
Skills:
Project Management, Microsoft Office Suite, Asana
Physical demands/Work Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, and use the phone. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to key in data, handle, or feel and reach. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Supervisor: Director of Major and Individual Giving
Status: Full-Time, salaried, exempt from the provisions of wage and salary regulations.
$60,000 - $65,000 a year
Planned Parenthood does not discriminate in the selection of its staff based on factors including but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, income, marital status or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law. We know that BIPOC and women identifying candidates are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every requirement. Do not be deterred if your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in job posting.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.