Director of Development

Job Description Director of Development

Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter | Riverwoods, Illinois

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt | On-site/Hybrid

Reports To: Executive Director and Development Committee

Salary: $80,000–$100,000 annually

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 403(b), PTO, and professional development

Position Summary

Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter is seeking an entrepreneurial, hands‑on Director of Development to lead fundraising and philanthropic growth during an exciting period of organizational expansion. With construction underway on a new shelter facility and an ongoing capital campaign, this role will focus on strengthening long‑term operating revenue, expanding major gifts, growing recurring donations, and building lasting donor relationships.

As the sole leader of the development department, the Director will oversee all aspects of fundraising, from strategic planning and donor cultivation to database management, grant writing, and stewardship. The ideal candidate is a self‑directed, results‑oriented professional who can build effective systems, identify new revenue opportunities, and translate the shelter’s mission and animal impact into compelling fundraising initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Fundraising Strategy and Major Gifts: Develop and execute annual fundraising plans encompassing individual giving, major gifts of $25,000 or more, direct mail, digital appeals, monthly donations, and planned giving. Personally manage a portfolio of 75–100 prospects and conduct at least 20 face‑to‑face major gift solicitations annually.
• Donor Stewardship and Retention: Build meaningful donor relationships through personalized communications, impact updates, facility tours, and timely acknowledgments. Monitor retention trends and implement outreach strategies to maintain a donor retention rate of at least 50%.
• Database and Financial Reporting: Independently manage Donor Perfect, ensuring accurate gift processing, donor records, segmentation, reporting, and revenue forecasting. Maintain 100% gift logging and receipting within 48 hours.
• Institutional Giving and Events: Manage grant applications, reporting deadlines, and foundation relationships. Oversee fundraising events, including the Annual Gala and Golf Outing, with targets of $100,000 and $20,000 in net revenue, respectively.
• Organizational
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Partner with the Executive Director and Board Development Committee on major gift solicitations and donor engagement. Work closely with finance, shelter operations, volunteers, and marketing to align fundraising priorities, reconcile donations, and communicate organizational impact.
• Planned Giving: Develop legacy giving opportunities and steward the Per Petual Partners legacy society, including bequest intentions and incoming planned gifts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least five years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience.
• Proven success securing individual major gifts of $25,000 or more.
• Hands‑on experience with Donor Perfect or comparable nonprofit CRM platforms, including advanced queries, segmentation, and financial reporting.
• Strong Microsoft Excel, donor communications, and digital fundraising skills.
• Excellent relationship‑building, organizational, analytical, and communication abilities.
• A self‑motivated, collaborative, and resourceful approach, with a commitment to ethical fundraising and companion animal welfare.

Animal welfare or humane society experience is strongly preferred. CFRE certification or equivalent professional credentials is a plus.

Measures of Success

Success will be measured by achieving annual operating revenue goals, completing major gift solicitations, maintaining donor retention above 50%, ensuring timely and accurate gift processing, meeting event net‑revenue targets, and maintaining regular financial reconciliation and donor engagement activities.

This is an opportunity for a dedicated development professional to build a sustainable fundraising program that supports the future of Orphans of the Storm and improves the lives of animals in need.

This is a full time job

Contact Information Job Contact Details

Name Orphans Title Manager Email Address (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Website /

Closing Date:
Friday, January 1, 2027

Posting Date: October 27, 2026

Closing Date: January 1, 2027