Donor Development Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

The Development Manager supports the growth of the Neurosurgery Research & Education Foundation (NREF) by managing and expanding individual giving, annual giving, donor acquisition and renewal, and major gift activities.

This position is responsible for building and managing a portfolio of donors and prospects while developing strategies to increase unrestricted individual giving. The Development Manager will work closely with NREF leadership, volunteers and other members of the development team to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors and strengthen the Foundation’s overall fundraising pipeline.

The ideal candidate is a relationship-oriented fundraising professional who is comfortable balancing direct donor engagement with the operational discipline required to manage a growing development program.

• Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects, including qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Develop strategies to increase unrestricted individual giving and donor retention.
• Identify prospective major and leadership-level donors through research, engagement and relationship development.
• Conduct donor outreach through phone calls, email, virtual meetings and in-person meetings as appropriate.
• Develop individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies for priority prospects.
• Partner with senior leadership and physician volunteers on donor engagement and solicitation.
• Maintain an active pipeline of prospective donors and regularly report on progress toward established fundraising goals.
• Manage and grow annual giving initiatives, including donor acquisition, renewal and reactivation.
• Develop strategies to convert first-time donors into recurring and higher-level supporters.
• Support recurring giving and other programs designed to increase predictable unrestricted revenue.
• Coordinate donor appeals and campaigns in partnership with Marketing and Communications.
• Analyze campaign performance, donor retention and giving trends to identify opportunities for growth.
• Develop segmented approaches for different donor populations and giving levels.
• Support the identification and qualification of major gift prospects and build a pipeline of donors with the capacity and interest to make significant gifts to NREF.
• Prepare donor briefings, proposals, solicitation materials and stewardship communications.
• Coordinate follow-up and next steps following donor meetings.
• Work with NREF leadership to establish and track multi-year goals for major gifts and unrestricted individual revenue.
• Help move donors from annual giving into leadership and major giving opportunities.
• Ensure timely and meaningful acknowledgement and stewardship of donors.
• Maintain accurate donor, prospect and activity information in the CRM and track donor interactions, proposals, commitments and next steps.
• Assist with donor recognition and stewardship activities at NREF and AANS programs and events.
• Prepare fundraising reports, pipeline updates and revenue projections.
• Partner with Finance to support gift reconciliation and accurate reporting.
• Ensure donor activity follows applicable organizational policies and fundraising practices.

• 3–5 years of professional experience in fundraising, development, donor relations or a related nonprofit field.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with individual donors and fundraising campaigns.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple donor relationships, projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience working with a CRM or donor management system.
• Ability and willingness to engage directly with donors by phone, virtually and in person.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with staff, organizational leadership and physician volunteers.
• Ability to travel periodically for donor meetings, conferences and NREF/AANS events.

• Experience with donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.
• Experience with annual giving, major gifts, donor acquisition or recurring giving programs.
• Experience managing a portfolio of donors and prospects.
• Experience developing donor proposals, briefings and stewardship communications.
• Experience analyzing donor data, campaign performance, retention and giving trends.
• Experience in an association, nonprofit, scientific, medical or healthcare environment.

• Hybrid schedule: 2 days per week in the Rolling Meadows, IL office and 3 days remote.
• Candidates must be able to commute regularly to the Rolling Meadows office.
• Periodic travel may be required for donor meetings, conferences and NREF/AANS events.
• Collaborative, mission-driven environment with regular interaction with staff, organizational leadership, physician volunteers and donors.

The salary range for this full-time position is $70,000–$80,000. Actual compensation will be based on qualifications, experience and other job-related factors. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package. Additional information regarding benefits and other compensation will be provided in accordance with applicable requirements.