Director, Development - The CAFE' Group
Chicago, IL
About the Job
Overview:
The CAFE Group, founded by philanthropists Liz and Don Thompson, is a one-of-a-kind nonprofit unapologetically dedicated to investing in leaders of color, recognizing the value of their knowledge, experience, and connection to the communities they serve. Through tailored offerings, including mentorship, networking, and seven-figure catalytic funding, The CAFE Group is reshaping how philanthropy interacts with and invests in Black and other leaders of color to ensure everyone can thrive.
Whether through our LEAD Internship programs for young people exploring careers in philanthropy or our community-building programs for education innovators funded through our 1954 Project initiative, The CAFE Group is building a new social impact leadership pipeline.
We invite you to join us in creating more inclusive and effective models of community support and education innovation. Visit us at thecafe.org to learn more.
Over the last three years, The CAFE Group has embodied its function as a philanthropic nonprofit, distributing several 5-7 figure gifts to social innovators transforming education and economic mobility. As this work continues, the organization will be ramping up fundraising, programming, and hiring over the next two fiscal years.
As The CAFE Group is rapidly growing, this role will join the organization as the inaugural Director of Development, playing a pivotal role in our fundraising efforts. As the first full-time hire for the development team, the Director will lead and manage a small team of external fundraising consultants.
Reporting to the CEO, the Director will partner with Impact, communications, and senior leadership team to refine the organization’s development strategy and offerings. This includes proactive donor stewardship, designing donor engagement offerings, and building processes to support the launch of a transformative 5-year fundraising campaign.
The CAFE Group team loves the work and working with each other to build this best-in-class institution. We’re looking for an entrepreneurial equity-focused leader who has a track record of building trusting relationships with partners, turning vision into strategy, and effectively managing people and processes. If this seems like a fit for you, please apply!
POSITION OVERVIEW
Development Strategy and Implementation
Lead and manage the successful execution of a $15M annual fundraising initiative
Provide development strategy updates to the senior leadership team and the Board of Directors. This will include preparing quarterly reports and delivering regular updates on cultivation pipeline, strategic challenges, and fundraising milestones. Effectively manage and communicate progress to goals to all relevant stakeholders
Donor Research, Stewardship and Cultivation
Develop and execute cultivation and solicitation, and strategies for new and existing donors
Steward strong relationships with existing and new funding partners (individual donors, foundations, and corporate partners)
Collaboration and People Management
Manage and collaborate with an external development firm consisting of 3-4 consultants, overseeing the completion of key deliverables
Collaborate with the Chief Communications Officer on all print and digital fundraising-related communications
Collaborate with the Manager of Events, to coordinate cultivation events for target audiences
Manage committees, as needed, to support fundraising and donor-facing activities.
Budgeting and Reporting
Develop and manage the development budget
Use data-driven insights to tailor stewardship and engagement strategies that maximize donor contributions
Implement donor tracking and acknowledgment best practices for all donors
Maintain up-to-date and accurate records of the current funder portfolio in Salesforce
Support the management of The CAFE Group’s online donation platform and the platform’s integration with Salesforce
Requirements
Excellent written and oral communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
5-7 years of demonstrated fundraising experience and success in cultivating and soliciting 6-7 figure gifts.
Excellent project management and organizational skills. You have the ability to manage multiple responsibilities, set and meet timelines, and improve processes.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment
Sharp analytical and prospect research skills, experience developing fundraising materials (pitch decks, reports and proposals)
Compensation
The successful candidate will earn up to 150k annually dependent on experience. The CAFE Group offers a generous benefit package including medical, dental, vision, matched 401(k) retirement savings plan, 15 paid time off days per year, a hybrid work environment, a $1,000/year professional development benefit, a monthly cell phone allowance and 11 company holidays per year.
The CAFE Group is a safe space for all, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, country of origin, religion, or ability. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. The CAFE Group is a 501(c)3 and an Equal Opportunity Employer that strives to have a diverse team representative of the community of leaders it serves.
