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OPEN POSITION

Development Manager 

Full-time

Reports to: Executive Director
Salary Range: $40,000 - $45,000

About Literacy Works

Literacy Works’ mission is to advance equity by promoting literacy education and the use of clear language. Our Community Literacy services provide a multitude of professional development, training and networking opportunities to foster a strong network of adult literacy programs, connect learners and tutors to opportunities, and empower diverse organizations to effectively serve adults. Our Clear Language Lab consulting and training services provide expertise in clear communication practices to mission-based organizations in such fields as healthcare, legal aid, and social services.

About the Position
Literacy Works is seeking a creative and self-directed fundraising professional to lead and implement a well-coordinated development plan to cultivate and solicit support from individuals. The Development Manager will manage and oversee fundraising events, corporate sponsorship, and the cultivation and solicitation of individual donors. The Development Manager will also serve as the primary marketing professional for the organization. We are seeking a digitally-focused creator to communicate the mission of Literacy Works across multiple platforms.

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Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and grow individual giving by cultivating and stewarding relationships with donors and prospective donors, including individuals, major donors, and corporations

• Lead and implement key individual giving campaigns (year-end appeal, spring appeal, online campaigns, etc.)

• Maintain the donor database: track requests and donations, create queries and reports that inform individual giving strategies, enter donations as necessary and execute the donor acknowledgements process

• Work with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Associate Board to develop and implement fundraising events and activities, including Literacy Works’ annual gala

• Manage all print and electronic communications from concept to completion, including social media, mail appeals, email campaigns, annual reports, videos, press releases, brochures, event invitations, fundraising appeals, and updating website content for all programs and fundraising events

• Recruit and supervise in-kind professionals who assist with photography, graphic design, and other branding/communications initiatives

• Report to the board of directors on fundraising-related matters and serve as the staff liaison on the board fundraising and marketing committees

• Serve as the staff liaison to the Associate Board, oversee their fundraising activities, and actively work to recruit new members

• Participate in organizational budgeting

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Qualifications

• Three years of nonprofit development experience, including knowledge of various fundraising strategies and techniques

• Outstanding writing, creative communication, and organizational abilities

• Strong skills in project management and excellent attention to detail

• Ability to think critically and strategically about the tracking and management of data

• Proven ability to work under deadlines with little supervision and to maintain close adherence to schedules

• A pro-active, visionary, and independent work style

• Willingness to take on new projects as they arise

• Understanding of and experience with budgeting best practices

• Proficiency with MS Office, Google apps, and social media, experience with Constant Contact and Wix a plus

• Experience with Canva and/or graphic design software is a plus

• Knowledge of CRM databases, experience with NeonCRM a plus

• Positive outgoing personality; ability to work closely with small staff and board

• Eagerness to network on behalf of Literacy Works and the field of adult education

Benefits

Literacy Works promotes a strong work/life balance for our employees and we are proud to offer a team-oriented and supportive workplace culture. Some of the benefits we offer to full-time employees include: unlimited paid time off, partial health insurance reimbursement, and a company sponsored retirement plan with a 3% salary matching contribution. This is a full-time position with some flexibility to the schedule. Occasional weekends and evenings will be required.

The Development Manager will work from home. However, the ideal candidate will live within the greater Chicago area, as we plan to resume in-person fundraising events soon.

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