PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports to the Director, Grant Strategy and Major Gifts and serves as a member of the fund development team.  Within the association, the position has primary relationships with the financial operations and program staff. Outside the agency, the position coordinates with fundraising volunteers, donors, and funding sources.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The Coordinator, Fund Development, plays a critical role in sustaining and growing the mission of YWCA Northwestern Illinois by focusing on annual giving, event planning and management, and re-engaging lapsed donors. This role is critical to ensuring the organization's fundraising activities are executed with excellence, aligned with mission impact, and deepen donor relationships across all giving levels.

Donor Relations and Stewardship

• Develop a consistent pipeline of donors who have the capacity to give annually at a level of $5,000 or less.  Create and implement strategies to grow the donor pipeline at annual giving levels. One-on-one in person meetings with donors to learn more about their giving priorities is essential to the success of fundraising.
• Identify and cultivate the next generation of annual donors with recommendations from stakeholders and other means to identify and qualify donors for solicitation and stewardship opportunities.
• Partner as appropriate with leadership volunteers to identify and secure visits with those in their peer networks and other stakeholders and groups.
• Establish a thoughtful and consistent stewardship plan for annual donors, event attendees, and event sponsors. Ensure excellent customer service is provided to donors through accessibility to staff and leadership (when appropriate), timely responsiveness, quality in all interactions, and personalized communications. Stewardship is a key component of the renewal strategy and cannot be over emphasized. Consistent regular contact with current donors and event sponsors via e-newletters, face-to-face meetings, program updates, etc. are required.
• Maximize relationships with current and former YWCA Northwestern Illinois donors and volunteers in the area.
• Create an annual giving strategy that includes an annual mail appeal at least one time per year, specific campaigns in coordination with YWCA USA calendar and marketing assets, strong call to action messaging that creates engagement and stewardship, etc.
• Reengagement of lapsed donors, board members, and constituents for reengagement and stewardship.  

External, Community, and Partner Relations

Together with the Marketing/PR Firm:

• Serve as a passionate and visible advocate for YWCA Northwestern Illinois, ensuring the organization is known as a trusted community organization dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women.
• Maintain a strong presence in professional organizations and other spaces relevant to the work of YWCA Northwestern Illinois and its mission.
• Act as a liaison to local businesses, service clubs, and potential donors. Develop a network of organizations in the local community that can contribute volunteer and financial support for years to come.
• Work with the local grant funding partners (under $5,000) to develop a relationship and understand the grantmaking cycle. Complete applications for grants that support priority programs.
• Network at Chamber events and with other service groups to be familiar with area organizations and to place YWCA’s work and image in the forefront of these community groups.

Administration and Management

• Facilitate all organization fundraising events’ strategy, including coordination of board committees, staff, and ensuring other relevant partners are included, invited, and stewarded.
• Plan and execute major events to help guarantee success including Leader Luncheon, One Table and all other special events. Be a strong leader in the functions and logistics of all special events with support from the Executive Admin Assistant and select Special Events Committees.
• Support the CEO and Director on governmental and large Foundation grants.  Smaller Foundation and local grants will be written by the Coordinator, Fund Development.
• Become familiar with and adapt a thorough record-keeping process using the donor CRM system and make certain donor records are updated and maintained. Create and maintain specific plans and paths forward including best practices for acknowledgement and tax receipts EOY tax receipts, regular communication including program updates and e-newsletters.
• Maintain accurate records on donors including email and phone contact information.

Specific Requirements Include:

● A minimum of two years of progressive experience in fundraising with the ability to work collaboratively in small teams.

● Proven ability to build strong relationships with a variety of volunteers, partner organizations, and other stakeholders and leverage those relationships for partnership and fundraising opportunities.

● Demonstrated commitment to accountability, measuring outcomes, and a results-oriented culture.

● Familiarity with donor tracking systems, such as Bloomerang CRM product suite and online giving platforms such as Qgiv.

● Ability to engage with diverse audiences, including donors, board members, volunteers, , staff, executives, etc.

● Established track record of increasing revenue through diverse fundraising streams and pipeline activities.

● A track record of stable tenures in previous roles.

● Knowledge of and connections to funding communities in northwestern Illinois is desirable.