Director of Development

Director of Development

Gorton Center | Lake Forest, IL

The gathering place in the heart of our community – where people connect, converse, learn, listen, play and perform.

Housed in a landmark building in the heart of the North Shore of Chicago, Gorton Center, a 48-year-old multi-use cultural center at 400

E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045, is a vibrant, viable and vital hub of activity, serving as “the community’s house” for residents of Lake Forest, Lake Bluff and the surrounding region.

Gorton provides valuable programs for creative-minded people at every stage of their lives. We offer unique arts and educational programs for diverse ages and interests, including performing arts, educational and cultural classes and programs for adults and children, camps and workshops, and special events.

Gorton Center is seeking an energetic, experienced Director of Development who wants to be an essential part of our organization’s growth and evolution as a key cultural and educational asset to the region.

The new Director of Development will join an organization with a dynamic Executive Director, stable financial situation, longstanding community support, a supportive Board, and a strong staff with deep experience. Staff and Board share a strong sense of purpose and engagement in the future of Gorton and the possibilities ahead. This position is onsite at Gorton.

The Director of Development, along with the Executive Director and Board, sets the direction and provides overall management for our fundraising activities. The Director of Development directs all fundraising functions for Gorton, including the Annual Fund, Major Gifts, Sponsor ships, Planned Giving and Donor Stewardship, and designs and helps coordinate fundraising events and volunteers. Contributed income makes up 20% of Gorton Center’s roughly $3 million annual budget.

The ideal candidate will thrive on growing annual fund and major gifts to new levels commensurate with Gorton’s growth and new and expanded programming goals.

Additionally, the Director of Development will work closely with the Executive Director and Board to complete the final stage of a very successful capital campaign currently in its public phase. The Director of Development works with the Board of Directors and Development Committee on fundraising activity and manages a personal portfolio of prospects. This position reports to the Executive Director and supervises the Manager of Donor Engagement.

The Director of Development will:

• Participate in Gorton’s executive leadership team and lead, inspire and coach staff and Board members to foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization.
• Work with the Executive Director, Board and Development Committee to develop strategies for securing contributed income to meet Gorton Center’s annual budgetary needs and special campaigns; set annual team fundraising goals and department budgets.
• Work with the Board, Development Committee and Executive Director to formulate, implement and evaluate fiscal goals, key milestones and metrics, plans, objectives and policies related to overall annual and long-range fundraising goals; act as main liaison to the Board for fundraising activities and manage the Development Committee.
• Strategize, guide and support major fundraising campaigns, including the identification, research, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects and donors; develop budgets and contracts, and oversee research and other support services; direct the creation and generation of collateral materials, systems, policies and protocols for campaigns.
• Work collaboratively with the Board, staff and volunteers to identify high-potential donors and…