Development Director

Development Director

The Athenaeum Center was built in 1911 on the St. Alphonsus campus and is home to Chicago's oldest continuously-operating off-Loop theater. Our mission is to invite people into encounters with beauty and to revitalize the great Catholic tradition of the arts from our location in one of Chicago's most unique religious, artistic, and civic buildings. At the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture, we believe that beauty has the capacity to build up culture, transform society, and change lives. We hope to help you contemplate, encounter, and delight in beauty.

The Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and strategic Development Director to lead all aspects of the organization's fundraising efforts. The Development Director will be responsible for securing major gifts, corporate sponsorships, grants, and in-kind donations. The Director will work closely with the Executive Director and Associate Director to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the organization and cultivate strong, lasting relationships with donors, corporate partners, and the broader community.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive development strategy that aligns with the Athenaeum's mission and long-term goals.
• Oversee all fundraising activities, including major gifts, individual and corporate sponsorships, grants, and in-kind donations.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors, ensuring the development of long-term relationships and significant contributions.
• Lead the creation of compelling donor communications, including personalized appeals, thank-you letters, and impact reports.
• Collaborate with leadership to establish annual fundraising goals and track progress against those goals.
• Lead efforts to secure corporate sponsorships for Athenaeum events, programs, and initiatives.
• Develop and present sponsorship proposals that offer tangible benefits for corporate partners, aligning with their business goals.
• Cultivate relationships with corporate sponsors to ensure their continued engagement and investment in the organization.
• Manage in-kind donations, coordinating the solicitation, tracking, and recognition of donated goods and services.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of major fundraising events, including ACTC's annual dinner, quarterly Founders & Friends events, and Suburban Soires.
• Collaborate with the marketing and events teams to create engaging and effective fundraising campaigns, both digital and traditional.
• Ensure events are well-executed, impactful, and aligned with The Athenaeum's mission, while maximizing revenue generation.
• Lead the development of campaign strategies to increase donor participation and contributions.
• Oversee the grant writing process, ensuring the timely submission of high-quality proposals to foundations, government agencies, and other funding sources.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with foundation partners and ensure compliance with reporting requirements.
• Research and identify new grant opportunities to diversify the organization's funding base.
• Work closely with the Executive Director, Associate Director, and Board of Directors to develop fundraising strategies and ensure their involvement in key fundraising initiatives.
• Prepare regular reports and updates for the Board regarding the progress of fundraising efforts and key donor relationships.
• Assist in organizing board and donor events to strengthen relationships and engage leadership in fundraising efforts.
• Serve as a key representative of The Athenaeum to external stakeholders, including potential donors, sponsors, and community leaders.
• Build and sustain relationships with community partners to enhance the Center's visibility and impact.
• Engage in public speaking, networking, and advocacy to increase awareness and support for the organization's mission.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

Skills & Abilities

Personal Attributes