Director of Major Gifts & Individual Giving

Director of Major Gifts & Individual Giving

• Full-time
• Start Date:
  
  Immediate opening
• Department:
  Regional Support and Leadership

At KIPP Chicago, we are guided by a simple, yet powerful mission:
Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. Our campuses are located in the Austin, Englewood, North Lawndale, and West Humboldt Park neighborhoods. KIPP Chicago also advises over 2000 KIPP alumni currently in high school or college through our KIPP Forward program.

For more data and information about our successes and vision for the future, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..org

KIPP Chicago partners with the KIPP Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports schools across the country. KIPP Public Schools is a national network of public charter schools that prepares students with the skills and confidence to create the future they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are currently a network of 278 schools, nearly 15,000 educators, and 175,000 students and alumni.

When you work at KIPP, you’re part of a national network that partners with families and communities to create nurturing, rigorous, and joyful schools in pursuit of a more just world.

KIPP Chicago’s Director of Major Gifts & Individual Giving is a new, key role for our organization. The Director of Major Gifts & Individual Giving will generate and manage a portfolio of high-capacity donors and prospects, deepen engagement, and secure leadership and major gifts that advance KIPP Chicago’s long‑term vision for students and families. In this role, the Director of Major Gifts & Individual Giving will expand and lead our individual giving program in support of our $25M 25th Anniversary “Path to Freedom” Campaign.

The position is located in Chicago and requires daily, consistent presence in Chicago, with the expectation of being actively in the field for outreach and relationship meetings, both during the day, in the evening, and on weekends when necessary – and with some time being spent in our regional office in Pilsen.

Strategic Leadership of Individual Giving and Campaign

Design and implement an individual giving strategy aligned with KIPP Chicago’s $25M 25th Anniversary Campaign goals, including annual, multi-year, and transformational gifts.

Develop short- and long-term revenue projections and donor pipelines in collaboration with the Chief External Affairs Officer and campaign leadership.

Support the creation and refinement of the campaign case for support, gift tables, naming opportunities, and donor recognition plans.

Portfolio Management and Donor Fundraising

Manage a portfolio of approximately 100–150 major gift prospects, ensuring regular and meaningful contact, movement through the donor cycle, and robust revenue outcomes.

Conduct ongoing prospect identification, qualification, and prioritization to build and refresh the major gifts pipeline.

Create and execute individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies, including setting clear financial goals and timelines for each prospect.

Personally solicit 5- to 7-figure gifts and multi-year pledges; prepare leadership and volunteers for high-level solicitations as appropriate.

Ensure high-quality stewardship through personalized follow-up, impact reporting, recognition, and ongoing engagement opportunities.

Collaboration with Leadership, Board, and Staff

Work closely with the CEO, Chief External Affairs Officer, board members, and campaign volunteers to plan and execute prospect strategies and solicitations.

Provide coaching, briefing materials, and talking points for leaders and volunteers participating in donor meetings and events.

Collaborate with the broader development and communications team to align major gifts with annual giving, events, corporate/foundation relations, and marketing.

Systems, Data, and Reporting

Maintain accurate and timely records of donor interactions, moves management, proposals, and…