ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
Renaissance Social Services, Inc. (Renaissance) is a leader in Chicago's response to homelessness. The organization provides a range of proven solutions including prevention, outreach, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, behavioral health care, and clinical case management. Renaissance's team members work in collaboration with unhoused and vulnerable individuals and families to improve their housing stability, health outcomes, and quality of life. Renaissance is proud to have earned the Four-Star Charity rating from Charity Navigator and the Platinum Transparency rating from Candid.

JOB SUMMARY:
The Philanthropy Officer reports to the Deputy Director of Philanthropy and supports fundraising, marketing, communications, and community and public relations efforts to advance Renaissance's mission. The Philanthropy Officer will support donor engagement and stewardship efforts to help achieve the agency's fundraising goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Resource Development:

• Draft and timely submit grant proposals and reports to corporate, foundation and government funders in collaboration with the Deputy Director of Philanthropy.
• Provide stewardship support to develop and grow the organization's individual donor base; support annual giving campaigns; and cultivate and solicit major gifts. Adapt writing style, content, and tone of donor proposals and communications to reflect donor interests, values, and relationships.
• Perform administrative duties including data input, drafting correspondence, proofreading documents, etc. to support donor stewardship.
• Support major gifts and other special fundraising campaigns while raising the funds required to meet annual operating needs.
• Work with program staff and agency leadership to ensure the organization has data and testimonials needed to create a compelling case for support of its mission and programs.
• Recommend and help implement procedural improvements and efficiencies.

Communications:

• Support the development, execution, and evaluation of the organization's strategic communications plan.
• Contribute to the development and production of brochures, annual reports, newsletters, and other marketing collateral and develop public information materials including press releases, media advisories, radio and TV presentations, poster, video or slide presentations, and photography.
• Generate, edit, and manage content that promotes the organization's brand and engages audiences across media channels (print, online, social media, and multimedia).
• Maintain the organization's website and assist in the creation of new content and graphics, as needed.
• Support all public relations events including participating in event planning and coordination; recruiting, training, and evaluating volunteers; and evaluating outcomes.
• Assist the Director of Philanthropy and Deputy Director of Philanthropy in coordinating events and meetings that engage the organization's audiences and promote the organization.

EXPERIENCE:

• Two (2) to three (3) years of progressive experience in the nonprofit sector with entry- or mid-level planning, external affairs, and development responsibilities, with a proven record of professional accomplishments.
• Knowledge of development processes and procedures as well as local, regional, and national fundraising sources.
• Ability to cultivate and leverage relationships with donors.
• Familiarity with the various donor communities in Illinois.
• Positive past relationship management with internal and external constituents.

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency with software including Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Customer Relationship Management systems (especially Donor Perfect) required. Experience with Adobe software such as Acrobat, InDesign, and Photoshop preferred.
• Ability to operate with purpose, urgency, and accuracy in a fast-paced and fluid environment.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and deadline-driven.
• Ability to work in a team and individually.
• Excellent problem solver and ability to think creatively.