Director of Individual and Corporate Giving

Director of Individual and Corporate Giving

At Communities In Schools (CIS) of Chicago, we believe students can enhance their learning when their needs are met and that includes mental and emotional health. Every day, we partner with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and hundreds of community organizations to bring no-cost, high-quality programs directly to schools. These programs help students stay focused, engaged, and on track to graduate.

During the 2026–27 school year, we will serve an estimated 90,000 students across 260 schools, connecting them to life-changing support from arts and academic enrichment to health and mental wellness services. And we need your help to make it happen.

The mission of Communities In Schools of Chicago is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. The vision of CIS of Chicago is to ensure that every public school student in Chicago graduates from high school prepared to succeed. The organization's core values are Impact, Integrity, Relationships, and Social Justice.

The Director of Corporate and Individual Giving sets and executes Communities In Schools of Chicago's fundraising strategy for individual and corporate donors, which together account for more than half of the organization's annual revenue. The Director is accountable for revenue, pipeline growth, donor retention, and team performance across these giving areas.

The Director also manages a portfolio of major donors and prospects, personally cultivates and closes gifts, and leads a growing team. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director partners with the Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, Campaign Cabinet, Leadership Council, and development colleagues to advance the organization's campaign and build a strong long-term fundraising pipeline.

• Set the annual and multi-year strategy for individual and corporate giving, including revenue goals, donor segmentation, acquisition, retention, upgrades, and pipeline development.
• Translate strategy into clear work plans, portfolio assignments, performance measures, and regular forecasts for the Director's portfolio and the team.
• Monitor revenue and activity against goals; use data to identify risks, opportunities, and needed adjustments.
• Build a sustainable pipeline that supports current priorities, the organization's campaign, and continued growth after the campaign.
• Coordinate individual and corporate fundraising with institutional giving, events, communications, and stewardship efforts to provide a consistent donor experience.

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 50-75 individual and corporate donors and prospects with the capacity to make gifts of $25,000 or more.
• Develop and execute tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for each portfolio relationship.
• Personally solicit and close major, multi-year, campaign, and corporate gifts; maintain a consistent pace of meaningful donor engagement.
• Identify and qualify new prospects through research, referrals, events, volunteer networks, and other sources.
• Prepare compelling proposals, letters of request, presentations, and other donor communications in partnership with relevant colleagues.
• Engage the CEO, Chief Development Officer, Board members, and volunteer leaders in donor strategy, meetings, and solicitations; provide the preparation and follow-up needed for their success.

• Lead and develop a growing team focused on corporate and individual giving, including three current direct reports.
• Set clear goals and expectations; provide regular coaching, feedback, professional development,…