Director of Corporate, Foundation, and Government Giving

Title: Director of Corporate, Foundation, and Government Giving

Department: Development

Reports to: Senior Director of Development

About Chicago Children’s Museum: Chicago Children’s Museum is committed to improving children’s lives by creating a community where play and learning connect. We embrace creativity and collaboration, we never stop learning, and we remember to stop and play along the way. Chicago Children’s Museum staff is a dedicated group of curious individuals who embrace the playful spirit of childhood. Every employee is empowered to reach their potential and be recognized for the impact they have on our organization, visitors, and the community we serve.

General Job Function:

The Director of Corporate, Foundation and Government Giving is responsible for managing, implementing, and growing the donor base in these three vital areas of support. The Director will work closely with the Senior Director of Development and the Vice President of Development in setting the strategy for the attainment of all foundation, government, and corporate revenue goals, including corporate sponsorships and marketing opportunities. This position will work with the VP and the Development and BNG Board committees to build the corporate and foundation prospect pipeline and to identify prospective board members with strong corporate and/or foundation relationships.

Principal Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Manage and grow the portfolio of corporations, foundations and government agencies for program, general operating, exhibit, and capital needs. (65%)

• Writes approximately 60 proposals, grant applications and stewardship reports in a fiscal year.
• Develops supporting materials for all sponsorship and contributed opportunities by working with program and exhibit staff and members of the museum’s management team.
• Carries a personal portfolio of approximately 60+ active prospects, carrying out over 70+ calls/visits in a fiscal year.
• Identifies, researches, cultivates, and solicits new and existing prospects for operations, special projects, and any campaigns, including capital initiatives.
• Develops and maintains external relationships to facilitate funding opportunities.
• Working collaboratively with the Manager of Database Systems and a department coordinator, oversees extensive research on companies, foundations, and individuals capable of leveraging support for CCM, using resources within the public domain., as well as participating in APRA (the Association for Prospect Researchers in Advancement)
• Develops a comprehensive timeline that identifies and tracks opportunities to submit letters of inquiry, concept notes, and proposals to major foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
• Maintains effective and consistent relationships and communication with prospects and donors, including benefits fulfillment; deepen relationships through oversight of an effective stewardship program in collaboration with the Manager of Special Events and Donor Relations.
• Generates donor reports, profiles, and meeting briefs to support the fundraising process; manage related data and reports in Raiser's Edge, NXT.
• Works with Board members, President/CEO, VP of Development on strategy and solicitations.
• Supports VP of Development in their work with the Board to identify new corporations or foundations that should be represented on CCM’s board.

Oversees the Corporate Connections membership program and other volunteer programs, including (20%)

• Seeks to expand the Corporate Connections program by approximately 20%
• Maintains effective and consistent relationships and communication with prospects and members of the Corporate Connections program, including benefits fulfillment.
• Develops strategies to identify new prospects and steward existing corporate members, including exploring new strategies such as stewardship gatherings to learn the latest developments at CCM.
• Prepares membership communications and compile attendance reports.
• Coordinates and attends corporate family days and volunteer events.

Development Communications (10%)

• Prepares written collateral material for focused areas of CCM programming requiring fundraising support (for any donor constituency), including but not limited to position papers, PowerPoint decks, detailed proposals. All written material will be composed with sensitivity and using a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens.
• Working with the Development Team, actively participate in idea generation for creative fundraising, cultivation, and stewardship pieces, including prestige development marketing pieces.

Management/Administrative (5%)

• Participates in monthly Museums in the Park strategy zoom calls.
• Supports VP of Development in overall development and management of Corporate, Foundation and Government strategies, as well as revenue and expense projections.
• Coordinate with development staff and other museum departments to fund program/exhibit priorities.
• Contribute to annual planning, strategy, and goal setting.
• Participate, as needed, in all development cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising events.
• Contribute to the improvement of department systems, including Raiser’s Edge reports, lists and data.
• Utilize the museum's ASANA program to track all work and deadlines as they relate to stewardship, cultivation, proposal submission for grants.
• As appropriate, participate in institution-wide discussions and inter-departmental teams.
• Demonstrate the museum’s mission and vision as outlined in our foundational documents and perform other duties as assigned.
• Supports the museum’s work in diversity, equity, access and inclusion and actively ensures that DEAI principles are upheld in all work with fellow staff, visitors, community and other external partners.
• Enthusiasm for learning and mastering new skills on an ongoing basis; willingness to be informed/certified/trained through institution-offered courses and to work within Diversity, Equity, Access, Inclusion (DEAI) frameworks and actively engage in learning about these frameworks.

Requirements:

Position Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree or equivalent in experience required.
• 4-6 years fundraising or other relevant work experience, ideally in institutional giving.
• Strong work ethic and the desire to thrive in a demanding environment.
• Ability to handle changing situations and meet deadlines a must.
• Ability to work effectively in a multifaceted, team environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint, donor software, Raiser's Edge (preferred) and ASANA (preferred).
• Knowledge of Chicago corporate and foundation community.
• Desire to conduct regular face-to-face meetings with potential donors to foster deeper relationships with partner organizations.
• Experience with writing competitive government grants.
• Strong communication skills, with excellent written (both grant- and creative-writing) and verbal presentation skills.
• Demonstrated creativity, resourcefulness, and effectiveness.
• Experience in all aspects of the fundraising process, including solicitation and stewardship of major gifts.
• Strong organizational, planning, and administrative skills.
• Adaptable/Flexible and possess the ability to work strategically to details.
• Goal oriented and have a commitment to excellence.
• Stakeholder mentality and strong problem-solving abilities
• Collaborative as well as the ability to work independently and capable of independent decision-making.
• Positivity – proactive can-do attitude, vested interest in excellence (even if there is a failure).
• Motivated by and committed to the museum’s mission to “Improve children’s lives by creating a community where play and learning connect.”
• Possess an equity mindset and cultural humility.
• Growth mindset and commitment to life-long learning.

Schedule and travel:

• Full-time position with hybrid schedule of 3 days in office and 2 working off-site.
• Some weekday evenings and weekend days.
• Occasional local travel

Position Classification: Exempt

Salary Range: $90,000- 95,000

Benefits:

• Full-time: This position is eligible for medical, dental, vision, Life, Long-term Disability, and Short-term Disability insurances, 401k after six months of service, as well as PTO and Sick time.