The Chicago Architecture Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing public interest and education in architecture and design. The Chicago Architecture Foundation presents a comprehensive program of tours, exhibitions, lectures, special events, and adult and youth education activities, all designed to enhance the public’s awareness and appreciation of Chicago’s outstanding architectural legacy.

Under limited supervision by the Vice President of Institutional Advancement, this development officer will coordinate all activities supporting the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects and donors for the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s (CAF) major gifts program and capital campaign planning and implementation.

• Provides support for the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of CAF’s major donors and prospects and Board of Trustees

• Conducts comprehensive prospect research on CAF’s major gift donors and prospects

• Assists in staffing senior management for cultivation and/or solicitation meetings with major gift donors and prospects through scheduling meetings, creating briefing memos, solidifying meeting logistics, preparing meeting materials, etc.

• Prepares and tracks donor correspondence related to the capital campaign and the engagement of donors and prospects

• Provides support for campaign committee(s) and internal planning meetings related to the capital campaign such as: scheduling meetings, preparing agendas and meeting information packets, taking and disseminating meeting notes and to-do lists, etc.

• Participates in short- and long-range planning activities related to the major gifts initiative and capital campaign planning and implementation

• Maintains grids for tracking campaign progress and select donor and prospect information and enters pertinent information into Raiser’s Edge

• Provides support for cultivation events as they relate to major gift prospects for the capital campaign such as: logistical organization, mailings, phone calls, etc. 

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A. from four-year college or university; and/or three to five years related experience and/or training); or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, and technical procedures

• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals

• Ability to present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, donors, and the general public, if necessary

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concreate variables in situations where only limited standardization exists

• Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge Development and Microsoft Office 

• Experienced prospect researcher, preferably in a nonprofit setting

• Advanced written and verbal communication skills

• Knowledge of the prospect and donor management process

• Ability to organize and prioritize, highly detail oriented

• Ability to gather data, analyze information and prepare reports

• Ability to foster effective working relationship within a team environment

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Experience working with high-level volunteers preferred

Chicago Architecture Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.