Director of Major Gifts

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Chicago, IL, US

Salary Range: $ To $ Annually

The Director of Major Gifts is responsible for securing major gifts from existing donors and new prospects. The position will provide strategic direction for both unrestricted and project-specific gifts to successfully meet annual goals. The position will identify new prospects and manage a portfolio of donors/prospects with the capacity to make gifts in the five and six figure range, establish ambitious revenue goals, and implement effective strategies to achieve success at the major gift level.

The Director of Major Gifts will also aim to grow the School’s planned giving program by recruiting major gift donors into the School’s planned giving society. The individual will work closely with the Chief Development Officer, School Leadership, Board Members and colleagues to maximize donor giving potential and enthusiasm.

• Develop and implement annual and special initiative fundraising goals and program strategies to capture and maximize the giving potential and enthusiasm of Old Town School donors and prospects.
• Manage and grow an active portfolio of annual donors and prospects with giving potential of five figures or higher following effective moves management processes from qualification to stewardship, including benefit fulfillment when appropriate.
• Ensure effective, ongoing, and productive communication with current and prospective donors.
• Actively engage staff and board in the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors and prospects.
• Ensure ongoing prospect discovery and engagement.
• Plan and facilitate fundraising and engagement events.
• Manage and grow Old Town School’s planned giving program.
• Oversee and ensure integrity of regular reporting on goal achievement to demonstrate progress, identify areas of concern, and revise strategies as needed, including effective budget management. Maintain accurate records in RENXT.
• Other duties as assigned.

• 5-7+ years of proven achievement in non-profit fundraising illustrating evidence of growth over a period of time.
• Demonstrated experience in strategy development, project management, and success in the cultivation and solicitation of gifts of five and six figures.
• Exceptional leadership, planning, and organizing skills. Outstanding interpersonal skills including the ability to discern and respond to donor interests to meet both donor and institutional goals.
• Experience in successfully motivating, engaging and interacting with staff, board and donors.
• Experience in building strong, collaborative partnerships with peers in a fast-paced, team-based environment. Ability to relate to diverse groups of people.
• Past experience in conveying an organization's mission with genuine passion.
• Knowledge and understanding of Chicagoland's philanthropic arts community.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with RE NXT or equivalent donor database.
• Demonstrated success with creative thinking and problem solving.
• Demonstrated success in building trusting relationships.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed.

Salary Range: $110,000 - $120,000

Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music ( OTSFM ) is the largest community school of the arts in the U.S. and a non-profit organization committed to celebrating American music and global cultures. Founded in 1957, Old Town School provides various music, dance, and arts courses to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Whatever one's interest, Old Town School provides broad access to more than 700 weekly class offerings, a broad array of private lessons, and over 400 concerts and community events per year.

Old Town School of Folk Music opened its Lincoln Square facility in 1998 and expanded in 2012. The Old Town School operates two campuses in Chicago's Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, including world-class concert halls, classrooms, an award-winning music store, and a music resource center. Online classes were introduced in 2020 and students from nearly every state and a dozen countries participated throughout the pandemic.

Children's classes are also held at several suburban satellite locations. More information is available  .

OTSFM is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. OTS strives to be an inclusive and equitable organization that reflects the diversity of the city of Chicago. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. This is critical to our success as a community-focused organization.