Associate Director or Director of Development, NPR Illinois

About UIS

Located in the state capital, the University of Illinois Springfield is one of three members of the University of Illinois system. The University serves more than 4,000 students in 44 graduate and 56 undergraduate programs.

Open Until Filled

$65,000 - $70,000

Representative who plans strategies and actively seeks major gifts for the benefit of NPR Illinois  position is responsible for managing NPR Illinois's Major Gift fundraising program. The role has a focus on identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift donors and prospects. The individual is expected to develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 40 qualified major gift prospects, a major gift stewardship portfolio, a major gift referral list, and to have 15 or more face‑to‑face donor meetings or other significant donor contacts per month.

Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and provide stewardship for major gift prospects and donors in collaboration with university leadership, NPRIL station leadership, and UIF, with a focus on NPRIL.

Major Donor Solicitation: Proactively asks prospects for significant, often NPRIL-designated gifts. Serves as prospect manager and solicitor for major donor prospects with potential of $25,000 or more, coordinating all activities associated with securing and stewarding major gift commitments. Travel is necessary to meet with prospects. Prepare high‑level funding proposals, donor correspondence, and other written materials. Meets or exceeds individual annual donor and corporation/foundation revenue goals.

Assist in directing capital and comprehensive campaigns of UIF and the UIS campus. Provide development leadership and plan and execute fundraising initiatives for NPRIL, coordinating with station leadership.

Track development activity and donor interactions in the UIF fundraising database and collaborate with Prospect Development on portfolio management.

Stewardship:
Leads, conducts and evaluates donor recognition. Develops impact statements to demonstrate outcomes of gifts. Responsible for gift acknowledgment and ensuring all donors are appropriately thanked.

Station Representation:
Represents the organization at community and/or business meetings, committees, and task forces; promotes existing and new programs and/or policies.

Other Duties as Assigned:
Perform additional duties as assigned, participate enthusiastically in station fundraising and engagement activities, and adapt to new work situations, people, ideas, procedures, and organizational structures to accommodate an evolving work environment.

• Bachelor's degree
• Experience in development, fundraising, donor relations, general management, or marketing
• Must maintain confidentiality of donor files and information.

• Master's degree
• Associate Director of Development; three (3) or more years of combined professional experience in development, fundraising, or donor relations.
• Director of Development; five (5) or more years of combined professional experience in development, fundraising, or donor relations.
• Demonstrated professional experience in higher education or other non‑profit environments
• Willingness and ability to assume responsibility for high‑level assigned projects.

Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to adapt writing style for all manner of communications including email, formal letters, informal notes, extensive funding proposals, briefings, donor meetings and presentations.

Proficient in computer use including word processing, data/information base systems, and programs to create presentations.

General knowledge of and the ability to communicate the social benefits of public radio.

Ability to multi‑task and prioritize work accordingly and work independently to meet deadlines.

Ability to assume project planning responsibilities, to analyze data and regulations, and to provide exceptional attention to detail.

Skill in interpersonal communications and a sincere commitment to work collaboratively with team members and constituents.