Development Director Job
Company: About the Neighborhood Bridge
The Neighborhood Bridge (TNB) is a start-up 501(c)(3) nonprofit that was created in 2023 to help residents on the West Side of Chicago reach their full potential by connecting them to available human services in the area. The stated mission of The Neighborhood Bridge (TNB) is to serve individuals and families in our communities by connecting them to high-quality human services to help them thrive.
The top priority will be on serving families of students from the Austin neighborhood attending TNB partner schools: St. Catherine-St. Lucy, St. Angela, Chicago Jesuit Academy, Catalyst Circle Rock, and Christ the King College Preparatory School. It is envisioned that TNB may someday deliver services housed in the former rectory on the campus of St. Catherine–St. Lucy at 38 N. Austin Blvd.
TNB is currently searching for a part-time (0.5 FTE) Development Director (DD) who will be responsible for leading all development activities to raise philanthropic support of the organization’s operations and future capital improvement projects.
Values
TNB strives to be open, strategic, and fair, demonstrating integrity and commitment for the long term: a welcoming partner that works to meet community needs in the Austin Neighborhood and the West Side of Chicago by effectively transforming articulated community needs into action. Values TNB embraces and practices include:
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. We welcome, invite, and commit resources toward the participation and well-being of the community.
Integrity and Transparency. We hold ourselves to high standards of ethics, service, stewardship, and accountability to our donors, partners, and community.
Courage and Purpose. We set ambitious goals, forge connections, and collaborate to address the community’s needs.
Thoughtful Leadership. We listen, learn, and evolve along with the community.
Position: Development Director
Reports to: Executive Director
Position Summary: Leading TNB fundraising activities is an exciting opportunity for a Development Director (DD) to work collaboratively with the Executive Director (ED) to build from the ground up an organization that further connects the Oak Park and Austin communities. This will include building on current strong connections and volunteer support, leading TNB toward future growth and significant community impact, and bringing a vision to life on the St. Catherine-St. Lucy campus.
The DD, a part-time employee (0.5 FTE) of The Neighborhood Bridge (TNB), reports to the Executive Director and will be well-connected to the greater Oak Park and Austin communities. The DD develops, implements, and monitors a comprehensive fundraising plan to effectively tap into and expand philanthropic resources, including private and public grants.
Duties and Responsibilities
Design and implement a comprehensive Development Funding Plan annually to maintain the fiscal health of the organization and provide future financial resources for growth and expansion. Including, but not limited to grant writing and management, individual major giving, stewardship reporting, annual appeal development and management, and fundraising events, including those hosted by a third party.
Serve as staff liaison to and collaborate closely with members of the Development and Communications committees.
Identify and strengthen relationships with community stakeholders.
Develop strong relationships within the community to foster a positive image such that companies, civic organizations, and individuals will select TNB as a local charity of choice for funding.
Foster strong donor and sponsor stewardship.
Act as the primary point of contact for funding entities, donors, and event-related issues.
Manage grant funding from private and public sources.
Work collaboratively with volunteer fundraising event chairs to offer management, production, and oversight of TNB fundraising events, including the development and management of production timelines, budget, and evaluation.
Lead the selection and implementation of a donor database and maintain comprehensive and accurate donor records. Establish funding targets and regularly produce reports on progress against goals for the executive director and Board of Directors.
Collaborate with Communications Committee members to ensure consistent branding and messaging in all organization materials.
Design and produce scheduled giving campaigns, as well as auxiliary marketing, promotional and outreach materials.
Utilize community events to network with local corporate and nonprofit leaders.
Deliver presentations to various funders and to community, corporate, and church groups as needed.
Other duties as assigned.
The DD will be familiar with many of the key funders, philanthropic organizations, and individuals in Austin, Oak Park, Chicago, and local governmental bodies. A mission-driven, innovative DD will have the opportunity to work with the Executive Director and others to shape this new organization.
Location & Schedule: A hybrid work model is allowed to provide staff flexibility in both schedules and work locations. This particular position requires in-person and in-office work in the Austin/Oak Park area as needed. Some local travel is required. Standard hours will be between 9am-5pm Monday–Friday. However, the position will require some flexibility, including evening and weekend meetings, programs, and events. The DD will adjust their other weekday work hours accordingly.
Transportation: Travel in the community required for fundraising purposes is also part of the position. The DD must provide their own transportation for outreach. Mileage will be reimbursed.
Qualifications & Experience
3-5 years of fundraising experience, preferably with both public and private grantmaking organizations and Oak Park and Chicago area philanthropists.
Leadership experience, including experience managing projects and people.
Customer service, communication, and donor database experience required.
Ability to manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines.
Personal Characteristics
Mission-oriented with passion for and fierce dedication to the work of TNB.
Comfortable with interacting at all levels of TNB, with the Board of Directors, as well as the wide range of donors, volunteers, and community partners.
The ability to roll up their sleeves with a hands-on approach to the work.
Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written. Listens well.
A superb relationship builder who is able to cultivate and expand a sustainable network for donors, including individuals, institutions, and family foundations.
A confident presence with a “can do” attitude and formidable drive to meet and exceed the strategic objectives and motivate and inspire all stakeholders.
A strong sense of ownership, autonomy, and entrepreneurial instincts, yet the ability to be collaborative, flexible, and drive consensus.
Other Competencies
Ability to foster strong business relationships and partnerships within the community.
Solid organizational, time management, and project management skills required.
A proficiency in fundraising and donor management software.
Facility establishing rapport and building on relationships to promote the mission of The Neighborhood Bridge.
Solid public speaking skills required.
Demonstration of initiative and a track record of effective collaboration.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite of apps: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., as well as Google tools including but not limited to Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Sheets.
Education: Undergraduate degree required.
Compensation
$37,500 - $40,000 per year (annualized to $75,000 - $80,000), with commensurate benefits
Interested in applying?
Send your resume and cover letter to contact@theneighborhoodbridge.org.
Note: Studies have shown that women and people of color may be less likely to apply for jobs if they do not meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We encourage you to apply for the position even if you don’t meet every one of our listed qualifications.