Director of Individual & Major Gifts

Director Of Individual & Major Gifts

New Life Centers of Chicagoland connects young people and their families to Christ and Community through mentoring, education, sports and play, restorative justice, and community care. New Life Centers operates in five neighborhoods in Chicago in the Little Village, Humboldt Park, Pilsen, Brighton Park, and Archer Heights communities of Chicago. Our holistic program model enables us to fulfill our Mission and Vision:
Young people and their families connecting with Christ and Community through restorative justice, safe spaces, and life-on-life relationships to create the Beloved Community together.

Position Summary

The Director of Individual & Major Gifts leads New Life Centers' strategy for individual philanthropy and major donor engagement, with responsibility for building, sustaining, and growing a strong base of individual supporters. This role oversees annual giving campaigns, monthly and mid level giving programs, and the identification, cultivation, and stewardship of major gift prospects while managing a portfolio of major donors.

The Director develops and executes strategies to acquire, retain, and upgrade donors, ensuring a robust pipeline and deepening donor investment in the mission over time. Working closely with the Faith and Community Partnerships Coordinator, senior development leadership, institutional partnerships, development operations, and marketing staff, this position ensures coordinated donor engagement and successful achievement of fundraising goals. The Director of Individual & Major Gifts reports to the Vice President of Advancement.

Will require some local travel (reimbursable). Pay commensurate with experience. This position is in-person.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for individual donor fundraising.
• Lead annual giving programs including direct appeals, digital campaigns, and year-end fundraising initiatives.
• Grow donor acquisition, retention, and upgrade rates.
• Expand and steward the organization's monthly giving program.
• Implement strategies to convert engaged volunteers into individual donors through targeted cultivation, stewardship, and giving opportunities.
• Develop segmentation strategies to engage donors at different giving levels.
• Meet or exceed annual individual and major gift revenue goals through strategic portfolio management and donor engagement.
• Manage a portfolio of major donor prospects and current supporters.
• Conduct regular donor meetings and cultivation visits.
• Develop individualized strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major donors.
• Partner with the Senior Director of Development and Executive Leadership on major gift solicitations.
• Identify major gift prospects emerging from the annual donor base.
• Advance donors through the moves management cycle from identification and qualification through solicitation and stewardship.
• Maintain a clear pipeline of prospective donors and supporters.
• Identify individuals capable of increased or transformational giving.
• Support pipeline development by identifying and qualifying new prospects through the moves-management process.
• Track donor engagement and giving history through the Virtuous CRM system.
• Analyze donor data and giving trends to identify opportunities for deeper engagement and increased giving.
• Partner with program staff, leadership, and board members to surface and cultivate new donor prospects.
• Ensure donors receive meaningful recognition, communication, and stewardship.
• Maintain and strengthen gift recognition and appreciation practices.
• Routinely follow up with donors to encourage ongoing involvement and support.
• Support donor engagement opportunities including program visits and small cultivation gatherings.
• Develop and implement stewardship strategies that deepen donor relationships and encourage continued and increased giving.
• Coordinate with leadership, program staff, and board members to create meaningful engagement opportunities for donors.
• Track and report progress toward annual fundraising goals.
• Provide monthly updates on donor pipeline activity, revenue progress, and engagement metrics.
• Use data and performance analysis to refine fundraising strategies and improve results.
• Maintain accurate donor records, engagement activity, and reporting within the Virtuous CRM system.
• Prepare reports and insights for senior leadership to inform fundraising strategy and decision-making.
• Represent New Life Centers in meetings with donors, partners, and community members.
• Attend organizational meetings, trainings, and program visits to stay informed about program impact and needs.
• Demonstrate New Life Centers' values in all interactions and activities.
• Collaborate with program staff and organizational leadership to align fundraising efforts with program priorities and impact.
• Works closely in collaboration with the development team.
• Ensure that all legal reporting requirements are satisfied.
• Stays knowledgeable and up to date of current funding trends,…