Woodstock Institute

Woodstock Institute is a leading nonprofit research and policy organization that works to create a safe and equitable financial system, especially for lower-income people and communities of color. Woodstock partners with community and philanthropic groups, financial institutions, and policymakers to effect change at national, state, and local levels. As a leading consumer advocacy organization, Woodstock builds bridges between key policymakers and affected consumers in low- and moderate-income areas and communities of color.

The Position

The Development Director is responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive fundraising strategy. The Development Director will be encouraged to build from the ground up to support the organization’s trusted research, data analysis, and advocacy campaigns.

This role is a chance to craft a new future for economic development work at a storied organization with deep roots in the Chicago community and a national outlook. The Development Director will engage with potential funders—from both obvious and unlikely corners—to support work that aims to make a more equitable economy at a moment of great financial uncertainty.

Key Organizational Relationships

• Reports to the President & CEO
• Close collaborative working relationship with directors of research and policy
• Foster and maintain good relationships with funders and their relevant staff

Duties and Responsibilities

• Construct and drive a fundraising strategy that advances Woodstock’s mission and work
• Update and ensure the quality of Woodstock’s contact relationship management system
• Build an innovative online giving program to grow individual giving
• Identify and implement new fundraising opportunities, including events, corporate funding, and other diversified funding streams

• Draft, edit, and timely submission of grant proposals and reports
• Track, synthesize, and report institutional success metrics for fundraising and institutional development purposes

• Plan, promote, and execute events
• Coordinate with relevant staff on organizational communications, as needed
• Work with community-based organizations and advocacy groups to gather and amplify stories that advance Woodstock’s mission and vision

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree and/or relevant experience in the field, five years or more preferred
• Ability to create and implement a development strategy that accommodates a growing organization and responds to community needs
• Ability to work effectively and independently under the pressure of multiple tight deadlines and budgetary constraints
• Willingness to implement new systems to update outdated fundraising infrastructure
• Experience raising funds from a variety of sources (foundations, corporations, individual donors, and soliciting in-kind gifts)
• Proficiency in writing compelling grant reports and proposals
• Capacity to conduct prospect research
• Exceptional relationship management skills, funding contacts a plus
• Collaborative mindset and creativity to leverage new opportunities and moments of uncertainty to achieve progress
• Basic understanding of content management systems, contact relationship management systems, and the ability to interpret and communicate key lessons from data
• Excellent written and spoken English language communications skills, very detail-oriented
• Strong commitment to economic and social justice issues, as evidenced by previous professional and/or personal work
• Ambitious, self-motivated, and able to work independently and effectively in a fast-paced, startup environment
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally to attend work-related events outside regular work hours in evenings and on weekends
• Demonstrated expertise using Microsoft Office Suite, Salesforce, Blackbaud, Raiser’s Edge, or other similar development software

Preferred

• Demonstrated expertise using Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress, Tableau, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn
• Foreign language skills, Spanish ability preferred
• Member of Association of Fundraising Professionals

Salary

• Salary depends on experience and qualifications. Starting range for a candidate with minimum required experience to a sustained track record is from $59,000 to $74,000 per year. Relocation is not offered, but a remote work arrangement can be negotiated for the right candidate.

Woodstock Institute is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds and protected classes to apply.

Send a resume, cover letter, writing sample and list of three professional references to Beverly Berryhill at bhill@woodstockinst.org. Deadline to apply is midnight Central Time on November 13, 2020