Description

Job Summary

In collaboration with the CEO, the Advancement Director provides strategic leadership for Mutual Ground's fundraising, marketing, communications, and community engagement efforts. This position is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive advancement strategies that strengthen philanthropic partnerships and increase private support through major gifts, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, grants, planned giving, sponsorships, special events, and in-kind giving. The Advancement Director leads the agency's advancement team, oversees marketing and communications, cultivates and stewards key donor relationships, and works collaboratively with the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and community partners to advance Mutual Ground's mission, increase community awareness, and ensure long term organizational sustainability.

Job Duties

Leadership & Strategic Planning

Provide leadership, supervision, coaching, performance management, and professional development to Advancement staff, fostering a collaborative, high-performing team

Develop and lead a comprehensive advancement strategy to grow unrestricted and restricted revenue through major gifts, annual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation support, government funding, grants, planned giving, special events, and other philanthropic initiatives

Establish fundraising, marketing, and communications priorities, revenue goals, and departmental objectives in collaboration with the Chief Executive Officer

Develop and monitor the advancement budget, revenue forecasts, fundraising performance metrics, and key performance indicators to support organizational decision-making

Fundraising & Donor Relations 

Manage a portfolio of major donors and high-capacity prospects through identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and long-term relationship management

  Lead major gift, annual giving, planned giving, capital campaigns, and comprehensive fundraising initiatives

Collaborate with the Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, and volunteer leaders to cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, sponsors, and strategic partners

Identify and engage corporate, foundation, government, and community leaders to expand philanthropic investment in Mutual Ground's mission

  Develop and implement strategies to increase corporate sponsorships, in-kind donations, and philanthropic partnerships that support agency operations, client services, shelter needs, and special initiatives

  Monitor fundraising performance, donor trends, and portfolio activity to evaluate strategy effectiveness and identify opportunities for growth

Grants & Institutional Giving

  Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the agency's grants program, including identifying funding opportunities, establishing funding priorities, and supervising grant development, submission, and stewardship

Collaborate with the Grants Manager, program leadership, and finance staff to develop competitive grant strategies, compelling narratives, accurate program outcomes, and strong funder relationships

Monitor grant performance, reporting requirements, compliance, and funding outcomes to maximize institutional support, ensure accountability, and strengthen long-term funding sustainability

Events & Community Engagement 

Provide strategic leadership for the agency's fundraising, donor engagement, and community events to increase philanthropic support, strengthen community relationships, and advance organizational visibility

  Provide leadership and direction to the Events & Engagement Coordinator in the planning, execution, evaluation, and continuous improvement of fundraising and community engagement events

  Collaborate with staff, volunteers, Board members, sponsors, and community partners to increase participation, philanthropic support, volunteer engagement, and community awareness

Evaluate event performance using financial, participation, sponsorship, and engagement metrics, and implement strategies for continuous improvement

Marketing & Communications

  Lead the agency's marketing and communications strategy to increase community awareness, strengthen the Mutual Ground brand, and support fundraising, volunteer recruitment, and program visibility

Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of integrated marketing and communications plans that support organizational priorities and advancement goals

Direct the creation and distribution of digital and print communications, including social media, eblasts, newsletters, annual reports, fundraising appeals, brochures, website content, promotional materials, and other agency publications

Serve as the steward of the Mutual Ground brand by ensuring consistent messaging, visual identity, tone, and communication standards across all agency communications

Lead the development of compelling storytelling, cases for support, donor communications, impact reports, annual reports, and marketing content that effectively communicates the agency's mission, client impact, and community need

Monitor marketing and communication analytics to evaluate audience engagement and inform future strategies

  Cultivate media relationships and identify public relations opportunities that increase visibility and awareness of Mutual Ground's mission and services

External Relations & Board Engagement 

Represent Mutual Ground through public speaking, media opportunities, community engagement, and strategic partnerships

Build and maintain relationships with businesses, foundations, government agencies, elected officials, civic organizations, and other community stakeholders

  Support and engage the Board of Directors, board committees, fundraising volunteers, and community ambassadors in advancement initiatives

Governance & Compliance 

Ensure compliance with ethical fundraising standards, donor confidentiality, grant requirements, and agency policies

Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer

Requirements

Qualifications 

Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, marketing, business administration, public administration, or a related field required

Master's degree and/or CFRE certification preferred

Completion of 60-hour Domestic and Sexual Violence Training required

DCFS mandated reporter training and certification required

  Minimum of five years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience with demonstrated success in major gifts, grants, corporate partnerships, and annual giving

Experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships with individual donors, corporations, foundations, government partners, and community stakeholders

Proven leadership experience, including supervising, coaching, and developing staff while fostering a collaborative, high-performing team

Strong strategic planning, organizational, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines

Excellent verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills

Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with donors, volunteers, Board members, community leaders, and staff

Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, integrity, and commitment to ethical fundraising practices

Proficiency with donor relationship management (CRM) software, Microsoft Office applications, and fundraising reporting tools

Working Conditions  

Standard office environment. Some night and weekend hours expected.