Program Development Manager Jobs in Des Plaines, IL

Job Description:

Position Summary

Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy is seeking a Development Manager to lead fundraising and donor engagement efforts, including developing donor strategies, cultivating relationships, identifying funding opportunities, and managing the donor CRM system (eTapestry). As AKP's first dedicated fundraising professional, this role will build development processes, establish best practices, and create a sustainable philanthropic program supporting AKP's global conservation, education, health, and community initiatives.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

• Develop and manage AKTG's guest engagement and communication strategy that cultivates potential donors to increase guest-to-donor conversion.

• Ensure timely and meaningful donor communications that strengthen long-term relationships and donor retention.

• Maintain a list of identified prospects based on giving potential and philanthropic interest.

• Convert project-visit inquiries into tailored proposals for individual gifts, multi-year commitments, DAF grants, and named project sponsorships.

• Coordinate personalized stewardship plans recognizing significant donor investments.

• Partner with AKTG's guest services and travel advisor network to introduce philanthropic giving opportunities earlier in the journey-planning process.

Institutional & Foundation Fundraising

• Diversify philanthropic revenue across individual, institutional, corporate, and planned giving opportunities.

• Develop strategic philanthropic partnerships with private foundations and organizations aligned with AKP's mission.

• Develop and maintain a strategic pipeline of grant opportunities by conducting ongoing prospect research, monitoring funding announcements, and assessing alignment between funder priorities and AKP's programs and strategic objectives.

• Identify and develop engagement pathways for guests and contacts with corporate or foundation connections, including CSR and incentive-travel partnerships.

Donor Systems & Operations

• Serve as the organization's administrator of eTapestry, AKP's donor management system tracking cultivation activity, giving history, and lifetime value.

• Prepare donor proposals and reports, stewardship materials, and quarterly donor newsletters.

• Support leadership in fundraising engagement and donor cultivation activities.

• Coordinate with the Global Program Manager and Impact Managers to translate field-level project data into donor-ready cases for support.

Donor Systems & Operations

• Historically, AKP has not been active in event organization, yet there is strong potential to build on positive guest experiences and craft unique, small gathering events within the scope of this position.

Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency with donor CRM systems such as eTapestry, Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, or similar platforms.

• Strong relationship-building, communication, and donor stewardship skills.

• Ability to create compelling donor proposals, reports, and fundraising materials.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required, advanced degree in a related field preferred.

• 5+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including major gifts, grants, and/or donor cultivation.

• Experience developing donor engagement strategies and building fundraising pipelines.

Special Requirements

• Experience with international development, conservation, or travel philanthropy preferred.

• Ability to work effectively with global teams across multiple time zones.

• Comfortable building fundraising infrastructure and processes in a growing organization.

• Willingness to travel occasionally for project visits, donor meetings, and events.

• Hybrid position based in A&K USA's Downer Grove, IL office, with an expectation of working onsite at least four days per week.

Salary Range

• $80,000 - $95,000; position is bonus eligible.

Benefits
A&K offers a large portfolio of competitive benefits to all eligible, full-time employees. Some benefits are provided at no cost to the employee, such as group life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and travel discounts. Other elective benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, supplemental life insurance, pre-tax healthcare and dependent FSAs, and a 401(k) plan with a generous company match.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required by the employee.

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EEO Statement

Abercrombie & Kent is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.