Senior Director Institutional Giving

Mikva Challenge is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to develop youth to be engaged, informed, and active citizens and community members who will promote a just and equitable society. We do this by engaging youth in an authentic and transformative learning process built on youth voice and youth expertise. Youth in Mikva’s programming experience unique civic learning opportunities. Our approaches include direct youth work, teacher support, and liaising with civic leaders and institutions.

We believe strongly in the potential of youth and are committed to youth voice.

Mikva Challenge evaluations show the lasting impact of its programs:

• 82% of students reported an increase in their civic knowledge.
• 77% of students developed their sense of civic agency and increased their future commitment to civic action.
• 83% of students took on new civic leadership.
• 79% of students reported gains in their socio-emotional skills — many of which have direct academic outcomes.

Mikva Challenge is seeking a seasoned development professional and frontline fundraiser with deep roots in the philanthropic landscape. The Senior Director of Institutional Giving will play a pivotal role in elevating the organization’s profile by cultivating strategic, high-value partnerships with foundations and companies as well as pursuing government funding opportunities. The Senior Director will serve as the expert in institutional fundraising and provide input to the Chief Advancement Officer on trends and opportunities to help inform our broader advancement strategy.

The Senior Director of Institutional Giving will oversee an institutional giving portfolio of over 70 foundation and corporate donors and prospects, in addition to managing 5–10 government grant applications annually. With a responsibility of raising approximately $4M annually, the Senior Director will create and implement strategies to grow the institutional funding stream, serve as the primary portfolio and relationship manager for most donors, and manage a team of two Institutional Giving Managers.

As a senior member of the Advancement team, this position will also contribute to broader fundraising efforts by creating strategies, resources, and processes that can be applied across the organization’s funding streams and communications efforts.

Office

Location:

This is a hybrid position, working in the downtown Chicago office, as well as remotely, engaging with staff and stakeholders through virtual platforms. This position is not eligible for paid relocation.

Reports to: Chief Advancement Officer

Fundraising Strategy and Execution

• Set the vision and direction for Mikva Challenge's institutional fundraising, including annual and multi-year revenue goals, strategies for each revenue stream, and a plan to identify and cultivate new institutional funders.
• Develop and execute operational plans to implement the institutional fundraising strategies.
• Design and implement Mikva Challenge's corporate giving and engagement strategy.
• Monitor revenue goals and proactively address potential shortfalls in fundraising projections.
• Research philanthropic trends and best practices in foundation and corporate giving; recommend new ideas to the Chief Advancement Officer to creatively secure funding.

Donor Portfolio and Relationship Management

• Lead, grow, and manage a portfolio of foundations, corporations, and government entities through all stages of the grant lifecycle, including LOIs, proposals, reports, tracking submissions, and stewardship.
• Engage Mikva Challenge leadership and program staff in donor cultivation by facilitating strategy conversations and preparing team members for donor meetings.
• Conduct ongoing…