Director of Development

Lambs Farm is seeking a strategic, relationship-driven leader who brings clarity, discipline, and heart to our fundraising efforts. This role is ideal for a development professional who is a frontline fundraiser and skilled at engaging new and existing donors, building trust with families and community partners, and stewarding relationships.

A key highlight of this opportunity is Lambs Farm's Give to Grow Capital Campaign, supported by professional campaign counsel. The Director of Development will have the chance to learn and lead within a campaign environment, helping shape strategy, strengthen donor-ready messaging, and participate directly in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship alongside the CEO, board, and campaign partners.

Success in this role requires a balance of high-level planning and hands-on execution. The Director of Development must be equally comfortable managing a major gifts portfolio, shaping compelling donor messaging, strengthening data and CRM practices, and leading a team with clarity and accountability. A disciplined project manager with excellent follow through, this leader must ensure that donor interactions, events, and campaigns are executed with attention to detail and complete professionalism.

Above all, the Director of Development must embody Lambs Farm's values. They must consistently interact with donors, families, and community partners with respect, transparency, and a deep commitment to the adults and families the organization serves.

The role has on-site presence aligned with organizational priorities and donor engagement needs, allowing flexibility based on the demands of the work.

Based in Libertyville, Illinois, Lambs Farm is a vibrant, mission-driven community dedicated to helping people with developmental disabilities lead productive, happy, and meaningful lives. Founded in 1961, Lambs Farm began as a small pet shop on Chicago's State Street that hired individuals with developmental disabilities to care for the animals and run the business. The success of that shop and the overwhelming interest from prospective employees led to the creation of our 72-acre campus in Libertyville, Illinois, where Lambs Farm continues to grow today.

Lambs Farm supports participants' personal growth through comprehensive residential and employment services. More than six decades later, Lambs Farm remains a place where people choose their own paths and are supported every step of the way. Participants build skills, hold meaningful jobs, explore new interests, and live with increasing independence, all within a community that celebrates dignity, purpose, and possibility.

• Lead the $1.9 million unrestricted revenue plan; build and manage an annual plan with monthly/quarterly targets across individual giving, corporate/foundation, gala, golf outing, and family giving
• Manage a major gift portfolio using disciplined moves management from identification through solicitation and stewardship
• Direct corporate and foundation fundraising with clear pipelines, proposal calendars, and reporting in partnership with internal stakeholders
• Partner with campaign counsel to advance the Give to Grow Capital Campaign
• Support planned giving by identifying prospects, engaging donors, and coordinating with advisors
• Drive event fundraising results for gala and golf outing (sponsor ships, donor strategy, table/ticket strategy, stewardship) and support committees/staff on execution
• Strengthen stewardship systems, including timely acknowledgments, impact reporting, and consistent donor contact plans

• Serve as a primary fundraising partner to President & CEO Kathy Buresch, aligning donor strategy, meeting objectives, and next steps
• Prepare the CEO for donor engagement with concise briefs (contact history, objectives, roles/talking points, and recommended next actions), document outcomes, and provide follow-up plans after meetings
• Represent Lambs Farm with warmth, professionalism, and consistent follow-through

• Staff and support fundraising-related committees by providing thoughtful agendas and materials, clear meeting management, and effective follow-up
• Help board members serve as effective fundraisers by providing coaching and practical tools
• Leverage board relationships to identify and connect with potential new prospects
• Support campaign committee work as needed, including volunteer coordination and donor strategy alignment
• Establish and oversee implementation of strategies that make board engagement easier (e.g., prospect lists, contact scripts, meeting prep, and clear next steps)

• Build systems for segmentation, solicitation planning, stewardship actions, and communications lists
• Ensure consistent CRM use through clear workflows, data hygiene standards, and team routines
• Lead a three-person development team…