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North Lawndale College Prep High School · 2 weeks ago

Chief Advancement Officer (CAO)

1615 S Christiana Ave, Chicago, IL 60623, USA

Full-time

Onsite

Lead/Staff, Director/Executive

$85K/yr - $120K/yr

3+ years exp

North Lawndale College Prep High School is seeking a Chief Advancement Officer (CAO) to lead and execute a comprehensive advancement strategy. This senior-level position is responsible for securing financial resources, overseeing fundraising efforts, and representing the organization externally.

EducationHigher EducationTraining

No H1B

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive, data-driven advancement plan ($1.2 million annual fundraising goal) that incorporates all fundraising streams: major gifts, annual giving, institutional (corporate and foundation) giving, planned giving, and special events

Work directly with the CEO and Board of Directors to set annual fundraising goals and develop board-level strategies for donor cultivation and solicitation

Serve as a key member of the Leadership Team, providing strategic input on NLCP's overall direction, budgeting, and external representation

Prepare and present regular reports on fundraising progress, metrics, and trends to the CEO and Board

Foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization, engaging staff, board members, and volunteers in advancement efforts

Oversee the organization's communications and marketing efforts to ensure consistent, mission-aligned messaging across all platforms

Protect the NLCP brand and reputation in all external communications and activities

Serve as a primary external representative for NLCP, strategically engaging with key stakeholders, community partners, and media (in coordination with the CEO)

Manage a personal portfolio of top-tier major gift prospects (individuals, corporations, and foundations) to cultivate, solicit, and steward six- and seven-figure gifts

Identify, qualify, and cultivate new donor relationships, acting as a primary external ambassador for NLCP

Oversee the grant writing and reporting process for foundation and government sources, ensuring timely and compelling submissions

Design and oversee a robust donor stewardship and recognition program to ensure donors feel valued and informed of their impact

Lead, mentor, and manage the Advancement team, including the Development Officer(s), setting clear goals and performance metrics

Oversee the maintenance and optimization of the donor database (CRM) to ensure data integrity, accurate gift processing, and effective prospect research

Manage the Advancement department budget

Ensure all fundraising activities comply with ethical standards and legal requirements

Qualification

Nonprofit fundraisingMajor gifts solicitationDonor relations managementCFRE certificationDonor database softwarePublic speakingProposal writingTeam managementCommunication skills

Required

Master's in related field required

Minimum of 3-5 years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, with a proven track record of securing major and transformational gifts

Demonstrated experience managing and mentoring a development team

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including media/public relations savvy, public speaking, and proposal writing

Experience working effectively with a CEO and a volunteer Board of Directors

Proficiency with donor database software (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce, Bloomerang)

Must be authorized to work in the U.S

Compliance with all board policies, ISBE requirements, and relevant educational laws