Associate Director of Individual Giving

Position: Associate Director of Individual Giving.

Location:
Glencoe, IL (Hybrid). Department: Advancement. Reports to: Director of Advancement. Classification: Full-Time, exempt.

Salary:
$55,000
- $65,000; benefit eligible. About Writers Theatre Writers Theatre (WT) is a nationally recognized, award-winning theater company located on Chicago's North Shore, acclaimed for its intimate productions, bold new work, and exceptional artistry. With a commitment to telling powerful stories and serving as a cultural anchor in our community, we strive to create transformative experiences both on and off the stage. With an annual operating budget of $6.5 Million, the theatre, now in its 35th season, is a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called "America's finest regional theater company" by The Wall Street Journal. Under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Artistic Director Braden Abraham, the company is charting a path forward for its future. Position Summary Working closely with the Director of Advancement, the Associate Director of Individual Giving (ADIG) will lead the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of individual donors, with a focus on securing gifts of $2,500
- $15,000 through The Director's Society. The ADIG will manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, developing personalized strategies to secure new gifts, increase annual support and build long-term philanthropic relationships. The ADIG will play a central role in growing the Director's Society, strengthening relationships with current supporters, and identifying opportunities to deepen engagement and move donors toward major gift giving. The ADIG will regularly meet with donors and prospects, conduct personal solicitations and represent Writers Theatre at performances and donor events. Evening and weekend work will be required based on the advancement calendar. Duties and Responsibilities Individual Giving & Portfolio Management: Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects with a focus on securing gifts between $2,500 and $15,000 Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation and stewardship plans to achieve annual fundraising goals Conduct regular donor meetings and personal solicitations to secure new, renewed and increased gifts Lead the cultivation and solicitation of Director's Society donors in collaboration with the Director of Advancement Identify opportunities to upgrade existing donors and acquire new leadership-level supporters Develop personalized proposals and giving opportunities that connect donor interests with Writers Theatre's artistic and organizational priorities Identify donors with major gift potential and collaborate with the Director of Major Gifts to develop appropriate cultivation strategies Donor Relations & Stewardship: Build meaningful relationships with individual donors and prospects through regular personal outreach and engagement Develop personalized stewardship strategies that encourage donor retention, increased giving and long-term philanthropic support Host donors and prospects at performances, opening nights, special events and other cultivation opportunities Collaborate with Artistic and Education departments to connect donors with Writers Theatre programming and organizational priorities Work with the Manager of Individual Giving and Donor Relations to ensure appropriate donor recognition, benefits and stewardship Represent Writers Theatre at donor meetings and community events Fundraising Strategy & Collaboration: Work with the Director of Advancement and Associate Director of Donor Operations to establish annual individual giving goals and evaluate progress toward revenue targets Collaborate with the Manager of Individual Giving and Donor Relations on Director's Society renewals, donor upgrades and the identification of prospective leadership-level supporters Work with the Associate Director of Advancement Operations to ensure accurate prospect tracking, gift administration and donor stewardship processes Maintain accurate records of donor interactions, solicitation activity and relationship plans in Tessitura Participate in regular prospect strategy meetings and contribute to department-wide fundraising initiatives Additional duties as assigned Qualifications Two or more years of front-line fundraising experience, preferably in individual giving or major gifts Demonstrated success cultivating, soliciting and stewarding individual donors Experience managing a donor portfolio and securing gifts through personal solicitation Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop meaningful relationships with donors and prospects Excellent written and verbal communication skills Superior organizational and time management skills Self-motivation to initiate donor contact, develop relationships and achieve fundraising goals Knowledge of Tessitu