Sr. Director of Individual Giving

Summary

Want to love your job? Join a dynamic, talented, and growing team at the Misericordia Foundation where you can be part of a life-changing mission ensuring a life worth living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. When you work at Misericordia, you will be part of a culture that embraces inclusion, dignity, and quality of life for all. 

Misericordia is a Chicago-based nonprofit that provides long-term residential care, education, employment, and community for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Serving more than 650 residents, Misericordia offers a full continuum of individualized services within a vibrant, inclusive community. 

The Role

The Sr. Director of Individual Giving is a senior fundraising leader responsible for implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies that align with institutional priorities and support long-term philanthropic growth. This role is responsible for driving sustainable revenue growth from individual donors by leading staff and ensuring exceptional donor engagement and stewardship aligned with the organization’s mission and values.

The Sr. Director serves as a people leader, senior fundraising strategist, and fundraiser, partnering closely with executive staff and key stakeholders to maximize philanthropic impact.

Why Join

In addition to being a premier and beloved organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Misericordia offers a competitive benefits package, including 401K, a comprehensive suite of medical plans, commuter benefits, student loan assistance, tuition reimbursement, and more. 

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Responsibilities:

 Strategy and Program Leadership

• Collaborating with executive leadership, create and execute a comprehensive individual giving strategy that supports organizational revenue goals and long-term sustainability.
• Oversee donor pipeline development, including upgrade strategies.
• Provide strategic guidance on donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans. 
• Ensure consistent application of donor-centric fundraising best practices.
• Personally manage a portfolio of ~100 prospects, meeting established goals for prospect visits, solicitations, portfolio engagement, and closed gifts.
• Partner with Marketing/Communications on donor messaging and campaigns. 
• Collaborate across the department to ensure integrated fundraising strategies. 

Team Leadership and Management

• Lead, manage, and mentor individual giving professional(s). 
• Partnering with executive leadership, establish clear goals, metrics, and accountability structures for team performance. 
• Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, coaching, and professional development planning.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Stakeholder and Leadership Engagement

• Support board members, volunteers, and senior leadership in donor engagement and solicitation efforts. 
• Prepare briefings, reports, and presentations for leadership as needed. 
• Represent the Individual Giving program in organizational planning and strategy discussions.

Data, Analytics, and Reporting

• Monitor fundraising performance and donor data to assess progress against goals. 
• Use data and insights to refine strategies, forecast revenue, and inform decision-making.
• Ensure accurate and timely CRM documentation and reporting.

Other

• Some evenings/weekends required.

Pay:

$155,000 - $190, 000

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 10 years of progressive fundraising experience, with a track record of closing gifts at the six- and seven-figure level.
• Demonstrated success building and leading major giving programs in a complex, mission-driven organization. Supervisory experience required.
• Demonstrated experience in capital, comprehensive, or major fundraising campaigns.
• Exceptional relationship-building skills, with experience engaging senior leadership and high-level external stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking skills with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
• Superior written and oral communication skills, including the ability to craft compelling proposals and donor correspondence.
• Ability to maintain focus and flexibility in a dynamic growth environment.
• Deep commitment to the organization’s mission.
• Proficiency with donor CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar).

Misericordia is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) according to Title 44, Ill. Administrative Code, and Subpart C Section 750.150.