We have ambitious plans, and we know the most critical step is building an incredible team that reflects the diverse fabric of our nation and embodies our values. Our team is made up of people who are equal parts dreamers and doers. We are people who care as much about how we achieve our goals as we do about the goals themselves. Our values drive our team and are instilled in the work this Foundation does every day. We are also committed to creating an anti-racist organization in order to do our part to help combat racism and inequity in all forms, in communities across our nation and around the world. Read our full statement on anti-racism and equity here.

Purpose of Role

The Director of Development, Midwest will manage a short- and long-term strategy to grow the Foundation’s fundraising program across the Midwest. Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Development, Midwest, this person will cultivate, solicit, and steward six- to seven-figure gifts from individual philanthropists. With the support of the Senior Director of Development, Midwest, this person will collaborate with executive leaders to cultivate and close high-level prospects.

This is an ideal opportunity for a proven, fearless, and values-driven nonprofit fundraiser with experience tracking metrics and managing donor pipelines who is highly motivated to work collaboratively in pursuit of big goals.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Development Planning: Partner with Foundation leadership and key teams to build and execute a short- and long-term strategic fundraising plan that will establish a foundation for a long-term major gifts program across the Midwest region.

• Portfolio Strategy & Management: Manage a portfolio of 100+ seven-figure prospects and develop customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for each.

• Donor Relations: Maintain strong, long-term relationships with current and prospective donors. Collaborate with Foundation leadership to cultivate high-capacity donors. Provide exemplary stewardship and increase donor retention annually.

• Volunteer Management: Develop strong partnerships with select board members and members of the Development Committee, and provide support for their fundraising efforts in the region.

• Collaboration: Establish supportive and cooperative working relationships with other regional fundraisers, share best practices and new ideas, and collaborate on donor cultivation when needed.

• Philanthropic Relations: Represent the Development team in external settings (conferences and gatherings) and partner with other teams across the Foundation to help advance a culture of philanthropy.

• Operating Effectiveness: Enhance the team's culture of data-driven success. Use Salesforce to track and evaluate the team’s key metrics, using meaningful data to improve practices and continually inform decisions.

• Fundraising Collateral: With support from the Donor Relations team, ensure the timely creation and distribution of fundraising/stewardship materials, collateral and briefings, and highly personalized proposals.

• Events: Collaborate with the Development Events team to host high-capacity donor events and volunteer engagements.

• Gift Closure: Secure roughly $10M annually to support The Foundation’s mission and vision.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Key Deliverables / Outcomes

• Meet or exceed annual fundraising goal.

• Meet or exceed monthly activity targets.

• Manage and benchmark portfolio strategy, including volunteer engagement.

• Provide top-notch stewardship to donors and prospects.

• Execute seamless events.

• Provide stellar communication both internally and externally.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced understanding of philanthropy, moves management, and gift closure.

• Advanced ability to cultivate, solicit, secure, and steward gifts and relationships.

• A minimum of ten years of experience in fundraising or donor relations, including a minimum of five years managing high-capacity boards and volunteers while securing gifts directly.

• Mastery of and residency in the Midwestern territory.

• A track record of building relationships with major gift-level donors, including closing gifts of at least $1M+.

• Deep understanding of fundraising programs and high-level gift strategies.

• Excellent interpersonal and written skills with high emotional intelligence.

• Must have the ability to develop and maintain long-term, productive relationships internally and externally in a fast-paced, complex environment.

• A sense of humor and the ability to pivot with little frustration.

• Bachelor's degree and CFRE credential preferred.

The salary range for this role is between $129,675 and $162,070.

This is a hybrid role based out of our Chicago office in Hyde Park, or remote for candidates located in the Midwest outside the Chicago metropolitan area.

Foundation Values

The Foundation Values are Courage, Empathy, Integrity, Accountability, Community, Inclusivity, Pragmatism, Resilience, Imagination, and Hope.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. The Obama Foundation is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at [email protected] if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.