Old Town School of Folk Music · 4 days ago
Chief Development Officer
Chicago, IL
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
$175K/yr - $200K/yrOld Town School of Folk Music is seeking a Chief Development Officer to lead their fundraising efforts as part of a new strategic vision. This role will be responsible for transforming fundraising practices, engaging with donors, and building enduring relationships to enhance the school's revenue streams.
ArtMusicMusic Education
Responsibilities
Lead with a sophisticated understanding of the school: its mission, culture, policies, values, history, key stakeholders, programs, and finances
Foster an inclusive, supportive environment that promotes open communication and collaboration
Ensure strategic management of all fundraising activities
Model effective strategy, approaches, and techniques, as well as transparency and collaboration
Prepare regular reports and presentations on fundraising activities for the CEO, Board of Directors and senior management team
Serve as a spokesperson and advocate for the school’s mission and programs in the funding community
Spearhead initiatives that streamline operational processes and reach new audiences and potential donors
Ensure that efficient processes and data-informed decision-making guide the work of the Development department
Oversee preparation and administration of departmental budget
Ensure the school is employing best philanthropic practices
Evaluate current Development department staffing needs and oversee recruitment, retention, training, management, mentoring, professional development, and evaluation of an efficient and highly professional team
Support the existing team with training and professional development, and ensure collegiality and common vision within the department
Utilize appropriate metrics on a team and individual basis to ensure accountability and results
In partnership with the CEO and Board of Directors: Establish a strategic vision and operational plan for the school’s fundraising strategy and initiatives
Develop and implement plans for fundraising in alignment with school priorities, setting measurable goals and objectives for annually increasing and diversifying income sources and cultivating new donors
Identify and refine fundraising priorities
Identify and recruit new Board members, educate members about their role in advancing a culture of philanthropy, cultivate and solicit financial support, and leverage networks to expand the donor base
Increase and diversify the school’s support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government sources
Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, including individual and institutional sources
Identify and cultivate new major gift prospects
Lead and oversee donor cultivation and solicitation opportunities that involve the CEO and the Board of Directors
Ensure effective, ongoing, and productive communication with current and prospective donors
Ensure ongoing prospect discovery and engagement at all levels of giving
Maintain current knowledge of important developments across regional and national funding environments
Oversee the planning and execution of fundraising events
Collaborate with the Marketing department to ensure integrated, consistent, and effective marketing and communications in support of fundraising or stewardship initiatives
Strategically leverage a variety of communication channels and platforms to support fundraising goals
Qualification
Required
Sophisticated understanding of the school: its mission, culture, policies, values, history, key stakeholders, programs, and finances
Ability to foster an inclusive, supportive environment that promotes open communication and collaboration
Experience in strategic management of all fundraising activities
Modeling effective strategy, approaches, and techniques, as well as transparency and collaboration
Ability to prepare regular reports and presentations on fundraising activities for the CEO, Board of Directors and senior management team
Experience serving as a spokesperson and advocate for the school's mission and programs in the funding community
Ability to spearhead initiatives that streamline operational processes and reach new audiences and potential donors
Experience ensuring that efficient processes and data-informed decision-making guide the work of the Development department
Ability to oversee preparation and administration of departmental budget
Knowledge of best philanthropic practices
Experience evaluating current Development department staffing needs and overseeing recruitment, retention, training, management, mentoring, professional development, and evaluation of a professional team
Ability to support the existing team with training and professional development, ensuring collegiality and common vision within the department
Utilization of appropriate metrics on a team and individual basis to ensure accountability and results
Establishment of a strategic vision and operational plan for the school's fundraising strategy and initiatives
Development and implementation of plans for fundraising in alignment with school priorities, setting measurable goals and objectives for annually increasing and diversifying income sources and cultivating new donors
Ability to identify and refine fundraising priorities
Experience identifying and recruiting new Board members, educating members about their role in advancing a culture of philanthropy, cultivating and soliciting financial support, and leveraging networks to expand the donor base
Ability to increase and diversify the school's support from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government sources
Experience managing a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, including individual and institutional sources
Ability to identify and cultivate new major gift prospects
Experience leading and overseeing donor cultivation and solicitation opportunities that involve the CEO and the Board of Directors
Ability to ensure effective, ongoing, and productive communication with current and prospective donors
Experience ensuring ongoing prospect discovery and engagement at all levels of giving
Maintaining current knowledge of important developments across regional and national funding environments
Experience overseeing the planning and execution of fundraising events
Ability to collaborate with the Marketing department to ensure integrated, consistent, and effective marketing and communications in support of fundraising or stewardship initiatives
Strategic leveraging of a variety of communication channels and platforms to support fundraising goals
Company
Old Town School of Folk Music
Old Town School of Folk Music teaches various dance, music, theater and visual arts courses through classes, private lessons and workshops.
Founded in 1957
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Jim N.
Executive Director and CEO
Kate Walsh
School Partnerships Program Manager
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