National Development Associate

National Development Associate

Location: 2350 W Higgins Rd, Hoffman Estates IL, 60610
Reports To: Sr. Director of Development

Located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, GiGi's Playhouse was founded in 2003 by a mother who wanted a place for her daughter, GiGi, and other individuals with Down syndrome who could realize their dreams. Twenty‑one years later, we are growing across North America and have 62 locations and multiple openings each year. We expect to grow about 20% annually for the next three years.

We provide free, life‑changing therapeutic, educational, and career training programs, providing 400,000+ hours of programming in 2025 to individuals of all ages. Visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

With a commitment to fostering a culture of acceptance and empowerment, GiGi's Playhouse provides resources, support, advocacy, and a lifetime commitment to individuals with Down syndrome and their families in North America and globally, while promoting a global message of acceptance for all.

GiGi’s challenges all staff and volunteers to embody the following core values:

• Enthusiasm: Bringing positive, high energy to your work.
• Best of All: We are always looking to improve in everything we do. Challenge yourself every day to embrace a Generation G life.
• G get It Done: Making things happen and blasting through barriers when needed. Figure it out together.
• Believe: Believe in ourselves, believe in our mission, believe in each other, and believe in the history that brought us here.
• L locally Concerned, Enterprise Minded: We collaborate, share best practices, and leverage the collective learnings from across the GiGi’s network.

The Development Associate plays a vital role in advancing GiGi’s Playhouse’s fundraising efforts by supporting donor relationships, stewardship, fundraising events, and day‑to‑day development operations. Working closely with the national Development team, this individual will help create exceptional experiences for donors while ensuring fundraising initiatives are executed with excellence.

This is a highly collaborative, relationship‑focused role ideal for someone who enjoys interacting with people, organizing projects, and supporting mission‑driven work. From coordinating donor mailings and stewardship efforts to assisting with sponsorship outreach and fundraising events, this position directly contributes to the growth and sustainability of GiGi’s Playhouse.

While experience with Salesforce or other CRM platforms is beneficial, this position is far more focused on building relationships, coordinating fundraising activities, and helping deliver an outstanding donor experience than on technical database management.

This position is primarily in‑person at our National Office in Hoffman Estates, with opportunities for a hybrid schedule. As GiGi’s Playhouse continues to expand nationally, this role offers tremendous opportunities for professional growth and advancement within the organization.

• Assist in creating exceptional donor experiences through personalized stewardship, thank‑you calls, handwritten notes, emails, and recognition efforts.
• Coordinate donor appreciation gifts, stewardship packages, and personalized outreach materials.
• Support ongoing relationship management for individual, corporate, and foundation supporters.
• Assist in preparing donor meeting materials, presentations, and leave‑behind packets.
• Help ensure every donor interaction reflects the mission and values of GiGi’s Playhouse.
• Work alongside interns and GiGi Gianni, our organization's namesake and a self‑advocate with Down syndrome, to create meaningful stewardship opportunities through personalized donor outreach, relationship‑building, and mission‑centered engagement.

• Assist in coordination of donor mailings from beginning to end, including gathering stories, printing materials, assembling mailings, and ensuring timely delivery.
• Support gift processing and acknowledgement workflows alongside the Stewardship Manager and Finance Team.
• Assist with development calendars, fundraising timelines, and project coordination.
• Maintain…