Our Mission: Facing History and Ourselves is a global education non-profit organization that challenges teachers and students to use lessons of history to stand up to bigotry and hate. 

The Role: The Manager position contributes to the fundraising strategies in the Chicago office that significantly expand the revenue base of the organization. Working in close coordination with the Development Director, the Manager plans, manages and executes donor-focused events in the region. The Manager oversees their own portfolio of donors, and is a key member of the Development team, acting as a project manager for long term projects throughout the year and creating copy for communications. 

Who You Are: You are an experienced Development professional who is excited by our mission and furthering your career in non-profit fundraising. You are confident in your abilities to build relationships and help secure funding for a worthy cause. You bring your experience and unique perspective to make a team stronger together. You thrive in a team environment, bringing both strong collaboration skills and independent initiative. 

Who We Are: We are an experienced and professional Development team who care deeply about the mission and work of our organization. We are highly collaborative, both within our team and across all geographies, to ensure the effective local implementation of Facing History’s development strategies. We benefit from sharing and support through Facing History’s national development team and partnerships and learning from our colleagues in order to ensure the effective local implementation of our larger development strategies. We depend on clear communication, commitment to each other as a team, positive energy, and a collaborative spirit. 

In Office Work: Facing History and Ourselves operates under a hybrid work model. This position is attached to the Chicago office and requires regular in-person and in-office work, and will otherwise work from home, though you may access an office work space whenever needed. 

Activities that will include in-person and in-office work: 

• Facing History Chicago Advisory Board Meetings* 
• Facing History Development Events (salon dinners, house parties, and community conversations)*
• Chicago Development team meetings and retreats* 
• Chicago Staff team meetings and retreats 
• Donor meetings* 

* Preparing for these events may include in-person and in-office work too. 

Specific Responsibilities Include: 

Events (30%): 

• Plan, manage, and execute donor-focused events (larger fundraising events, salon evenings, corporate engagement trainings, solicitation and cultivation dinners) that deepen donor engagement and stimulate revenue growth. 
• Coordinate all event logistics including print and online communications, vendor assignments and contracts, venues, catering, event materials, table assignments, registration, event show-calling, and follow up strategies. 
• Report progress and assignments to internal and external stakeholders in a proactive and professional manner. 
• Manage budgets related to smaller scale development events. 
• Plan post- event debriefs to review qualitative and quantitative outcomes, including ROI of fundraising events 
• Assist with volunteer recruitment, training and management 

Donor management (30%): 

• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of current and potential donors with the capacity to give gifts of up to $10,000. 
• Provide overall support to efforts of the Chicago development team including thank you letters and calls, donor follow up, and other duties as assigned. 

Communications and Stewardship (30%): 

• Develop and implement a major donor cultivation/stewardship communications strategy for portfolio donors 
• Highlight and communicate different aspects of Facing History’s work and impact in creative and effective ways through wide-ranging media (print, video, online, etc). ● Write base copy for mailings, invitations, and other donor-facing collateral. ● Coordinate with local and headquarters staff to envision and execute communications strategies and vehicles that highlight the impact of Facing History’s work to donors and potential donors with wide-ranging interests. 
• Work with the development, data management, and marketing communications team to set goals and measure progress of various communications strategies and vehicles.
• Track and organize media as well as teacher, student, and donor stories and testimonials that can demonstrate Facing History’s work and impact. 

Administrative support (10%): 

• Assist the development team by organizing and preparing for team meetings ● Assist the development team by leading annual development plan process, including analyzing data 
• Maintain Salesforce records 
• Back-up reception duties: answer phones, doors, hospitality 

Perform other related duties as required by position 

Essential Skills/Qualities: 

Facing History understands that restrictive job requirements may exclude historically marginalized groups from applying to jobs for which they are qualified. We take an equitable and holistic screening approach. If you feel you have demonstrated experience and expertise relevant to perform this role, please don’t hesitate to apply! 

• Autonomy and Decision Making: A self starter who has the ability to work independently with minimal supervision; makes decisions independently in alignment with team protocols, and refers actions to others when needed 
• Relationship Building: Confident and engaging relationship-building skills; builds relationships cross functionally and externally; experience building relationships with donors, and volunteer leaders. 
• Problem Solving: Resolve problems independently and is able to modify a process to resolve situations; seeks support of others on highly complex issues 
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Forms strong relationships and collaborates with members of team; Promotes teamwork and contributes to the growth of other team members 
• Fundraising/Event Experience: Demonstrated ability to plan and execute donor cultivation events; Demonstrated fundraising experience, including donor cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation. Minimum of 2 years in fundraising or event management role required. 
• Other Skills/Qualifications: Ability to multitask and be flexible while showing attention to detail; Uses discretion and honors confidential information 
• Lived experiences, cultural competence, and work experience within marginalized communities is highly valued. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google office suite; experience with social media; experience with Salesforce or other fundraising databases required.