Description

For over 50 years, The Harbour has provided emergency housing, transitional living programs, and supportive resources to youth experiencing homelessness across Chicagoland. We are a $3.3M agency committed to trauma-informed,strength-based, and equity-centered practices in both our programming and organizational leadership. As we expand our impact and work toward increasing private revenue to one-third of our operating budget, we areseekinga strategic, relational, and growth-oriented Director of Development to lead our next chapter of philanthropic engagement.  The Harbour’s private revenue has grown steadily at a rate of 10% over the past few years.  This is an exciting opportunity to build on this success, shape revenue strategy, and ignite further growth. 
 
Role Summary 
The Director of Development (DoD) is a senior leadership role responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy that strengthens and diversifies The Harbour’s revenue streams. 
 
This role leads themajorgifts strategy, board engagement in fundraising, prospect development, donor cultivation, and stewardship efforts. The Director partners closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Marketing & Development Committee to build long-term philanthropic relationships that advance The Harbour’s mission to end youth homelessness. 
 
The Director of Development supervises Development team members and collaborates across departments to ensure fundraising efforts reflect program impact and organizational values. 
 
Key Responsibilities 
 
Strategic Leadership & Revenue Growth 
Develop and implement a three-year private revenue growth strategy aligned with organizational sustainability goals. 
Lead annual fundraising planning, revenue forecasting, and performance tracking. 
Build systems for prospect identification, donor segmentation, and move management. 
Monitor fundraising metrics and regularly report progress to the Executive Director and Board. 
Partner with Finance to align revenue projections and reporting. 
 
Major Gifts & Prospect Development 
Manage and grow a portfolio of major donors and high-capacity prospects. 
Lead prospect research, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies. 
Partner with the Executive Director on top-tier donor relationships. 
Design personalized engagement plans to deepen donor commitment. 
Expand individual giving and giving society participation. 
Identifyand cultivate new individual and corporate prospects. 
 
Board Engagement & Fundraising Partnership 
Partner with the Executive Director to build a strong culture of philanthropy within the Board. 
Support Board members in developing confidence and capacity in fundraising. 
Work closely with the Marketing & Development Committee tosetstrategy andmonitorprogress. 
Equip Board members with tools, messaging, and engagement opportunities. 
Create meaningful roles for Board members in cultivation and stewardship efforts. 
 
Institutional & Corporate Giving 
Oversee strategy for foundation giving with grant staff.  
Work with the Board to identify corporate fundraising opportunities and develop corporate relationships. 
Work with the Development team to identifynew funding opportunities aligned with mission priorities. 
 
Events & Donor Engagement 
Work with Events and Volunteer Manager to develop strategies for: 
Annual Benefit 
Cultivation events 
Giving Society Stewardship Event 
Donor appreciation gatherings 
 
Communications & Storytelling 
In partnership with the Executive Director and organizational leadership: 
Ensure alignment of fundraising messaging with The Harbour’s trauma-informed values. 
Work with Development team, graphic designer and communications specialist to guide development of: 
Annual Report 
End-of-Year Appeal 
Fundraising materials 
Impact storytelling 
Annual video 
Translate program impact into compelling donor narratives. 
Experience fundraising in ways that center the dignity of our participants. 
 
Team Leadership & Cross-Department Collaboration 
Supervise the Development staff of two-four 
Facilitate regular Development team meetings. 
Collaborate with Program, Operations, and Finance Directors to align fundraising priorities. 
Build a supportive, accountable, and equity-centeredteamculture. 
 
Leadership Competencies 
We are seeking a leader who: 
Understands fundraising as relationship-centered and mission-aligned. 
Willing to integrate equity and trauma-informed values into development practices. 
Balancesstrategic thinking with hands-on execution. 
Builds trust across staff, board, and donor communities. 
Is energized by building systems and scaling impact. 
 
Qualifications 
5-8+ years of nonprofit development experience, demonstrating steady growth in the profession. 
Demonstrated success in majorgiftscultivation and solicitation. 
Experience managing and partnering with boards in fundraising. 
Proven ability to build and grow donor pipelines. 
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities. 
Experience in youth services, housing, or Chicagoland nonprofit landscape preferred but not required. 
Ability to lead with relational intelligence, humility, and confidence. 
Ability to manage spreadsheets and conduct basic data analysis. 
 
Salary & Benefits Package:  
The Harbour, Inc. offers a comprehensive package including competitive pay and benefits to attract and retain the best talent to further the Agency’s mission. Salary range: $95,000 – $105,000. 
 
Required Background Check:  
Employment at The Harbour, Inc. is contingent on passing a background check. All candidates must undergo and pass a background check before an employment offer is extended.  
 
Application Deadline: 
 
Role begins: July 1, 2026 
 
The Harbour, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local EEO laws. 
 
How to Apply 
Pleasesubmita resume and letter of interest to: 
Human Resource Department  
HR@theharbour.org 
 

Requirements

Qualifications 
5-8+ years of nonprofit development experience, demonstrating steady growth in the profession. 
Demonstrated success in majorgiftscultivation and solicitation. 
Experience managing and partnering with boards in fundraising. 
Proven ability to build and grow donor pipelines. 
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities. 
Experience in youth services, housing, or Chicagoland nonprofit landscape preferred but not required. 
Ability to lead with relational intelligence, humility, and confidence. 
Ability to manage spreadsheets and conduct basic data analysis.