POSITION TITLE: Manager of Inspired Giving STATUS: Exempt, FT GRADE: 6 SALARY: $55-$65K/yr DEPT/PROGRAM NAME: Strategic Engagement

REPORTS TO: VP of Inspired Giving SUPERVISES: N/A

SUMMARY: The Manager of Inspired Giving is an integral member of the Strategic Engagement (development and marketing) team who will oversee all aspects of the annual individual giving campaigns for the YWCA. This work will include, but is not limited to: planning, implementation, management, and coordination of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities for annual fund donors with the goal of securing increased support year over year, and research of individual donors and prospects. This individual will play a crucial role in helping build a pipeline of major donors and help to ensure the long-term sustainability of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, driving forward its mission of eliminating racism and empowering women for decades to come.

COLLABORATES WITH: Reporting to the Vice President of Inspired Giving, the Manager of Inspired Giving collaborates with Strategic Engagement staff members; members of the executive team; YWCA staff members across the enterprise, and external stakeholders including individual donors and members of the Ambassador Council (an engaged and dedicated group of young professionals who advocate, volunteer, and fundraise for the organization).

ESSENTIAL responsibilities:

Planning/Strategy:

• Partner closely with the VP of Inspired Giving to design, execute, manage, and evaluate the YWCA’s Individual Giving Annual Fund Campaigns including end of year appeals, e-appeals, Giving Tuesday, and other focused fundraising campaigns to reach and exceed annual fundraising goals.
• Develop and maintain an active schedule of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship touchpoints for individual donors and prospects, with key benchmarks and annual goals.

Communication/Collaboration:

• Write and or edit documents including:
  • solicitation letters to donors and prospects;
  • acknowledgements;
  • briefings and debriefings;
  • pledge reminder letters; and
  • other documents.
• Develop strong understanding of the YWCA's mission and programs among prospects/donors, maintaining collaborative working relationships with all departments to craft messages for annual fund and major donor program support and partnerships.

Volunteer Management:

• Serve as the enterprises’ primary staff liaison for the Ambassador Council, the YWCA’s young professional's board.
• Develop strategies to grow and diversify Council membership base and organizational impact and revenue.
• Collaborate with the chair and members on meetings, events, and other activities to advance the group’s fundraising and engagement goals.

Donor Recognition & Engagement:

• Work closely with Strategic Engagement colleagues to ensure that donors are acknowledged in a personal and time-sensitive manner.
• Implement additional fundraising strategies for individuals through personal cultivation/solicitation, planned giving vehicles, and special events for individual donors.
• Ensure appropriate and timely donor follow-up upon the receipt of financial commitments (gift acknowledgement, ensuring the implementation of donor recognition activities, etc.).
• Review and update portfolios, as appropriate.
• Provide exceptional donor relations management to a variety of supporters.

Prospect & Donor Identification:

• Assist all stakeholder members associated with the Strategic Engagement team, officials, volunteers, and others associated with the YWCA in the evaluation, research, identification, cultivation strategies and solicitation of the highest-potential major gift prospects.

NON-ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED: The Manager of Inspired Giving will be asked to participate in departmental events and activities, and in enterprise-wide events.

• QUALIFICATIONS: Two to four years of experience in fundraising, specifically with individual donors, is required
• Experience working with high-level donors, volunteers and colleagues on collaborative activities, preferably with a nonprofit agency.
• Experience developing and implementing annual fund campaigns, major and legacy giving strategies, and events, with proven results.
• Understanding and demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in fundraising practices and work environment.
• Discretion with confidential information and an ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a broad spectrum of people (donors, staff, volunteers, board members) is required.
• Demonstrated initiative and desire to take on new projects.
• Superb interpersonal skills and the ability to actively listen.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Effective presentation and negotiation skills.
• Highly organized & attentive to detail.
• Adaptable and flexible, with ability to handle several priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Team-oriented and collaborative with the ability to work independently.
• Proficiency in MS Office – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• Development and/or customer relationship management database experience highly desired (Raiser’s Edge experience a plus).

EDUCATION REQUIRED: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.

CERTIFICATION(s) REQUIRED:

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: This position will require documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: This position involves work in a downtown Chicago office environment as well as time out of office at events and donor meetings. The option to work from home is provided on occasion.

WORK SCHEDULE: HYBRID – Work from home 2 days a week, in office or in community (meeting with donors, at YWCA program sites, etc.) 3 days a week. Normal working hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30AM – 4:30 PM. This position may require work on some evenings and weekends. Schedule can vary depending on the needs of the agency.