Director of Development | Evanston Scholars

Details:

Position Title:  Director of Development – Full-time, year-round position
Reporting Relationship: Executive Director
Starting Date: November 30, 2026 (negotiable)
Posting Date:  Posted until filled

Organization:  

Founded in 2011, Evanston Scholars is a non-profit organization that improves college access and success for a diverse group of ambitious Evanston Township High School students who are traditionally first-generation college entrants, low-income, and students of color, starting with the college admissions process and continuing through graduation. The comprehensive, six-year program offers workshops, mentors, test prep, and college counseling to support students to get to and through college. The program now serves over 300 students, selecting 50-60 new high school sophomores every year. Roughly 80% of our Scholars graduate from college.

Location:

1234 Sherman Ave., Suite 214, Evanston, IL 60202

Position Description:

Evanston Scholars is seeking a dynamic Director of Development to join our team and help us expand funding to grow our services. The Director of Development is a senior leadership role responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy to strengthen and diversify Evanston Scholars' philanthropic revenue base, with a current annual budget of approximately $2 million. The Director of Development will work alongside the Executive Director to develop and execute the annual major gifts strategy, corporate and foundation giving, prospect development, donor cultivation, stewardship efforts, and Board engagement. The Director of Development will manage a small development team and collaborate across departments to ensure fundraising efforts reflect program impact and organizational values. 

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who combines excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills with an entrepreneurial approach to fundraising. We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate who is passionate about our mission and eager to join our team at this critical inflection point for our organization. 

Major Responsibilities :

Strategic Leadership & Revenue Growth 

• In partnership with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors, leverage and enhance the existing development plan to implement a strategic and diversified fundraising plan in FY26-27 that meets the current goal of raising $2M and that anticipates future needs and growth objectives. 
• Annually lead the development planning process alongside the Executive Director and Board of Directors to to establish annual and long-term fundraising goals and strategies. 
• Customize segmented strategies and targeted communications to increase giving at all levels; including a focus on increasing donor pipeline and acquiring new donors.
• Monitor fundraising pipeline and regularly report progress to the Executive Director and Board. Produce quarterly reports on progress towards goals. 
• Lead the Development team to translate annual strategy into actionable fundraising initiatives and monitor ongoing execution progress ensuring sustainability and measurable impact over time. 
• Develop strategies to identify new individual supporters, fully leverage existing relationships, increase multi-year commitments, and maintain or elevate current commitments.
• Partner with Finance to align revenue projections and reporting during the annual planning process and throughout the fiscal year. 

Portfolio Management

• Serve as primary manager in partnership with the Executive Director as solicitor to develop and execute a tailored fundraising and engagement strategy for renewal donors and prospects across individual, corporate, and foundation giving streams ensuring effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of high-priority donors and prospects.
• Identify and cultivate new individual, corporate, and foundation prospects in partnership with the Executive Director and Board. 
• Develop the operations and systems necessary to support ongoing execution of annual engagement strategies in partnership with the Executive Director.

Board Engagement & Fundraising Partnership 

• Partner with the Executive Director to build a strong culture of philanthropy with the Board. 
• Prepare and present regular fundraising progress and gap analysis to the full Board, outlining meaningful roles for Board members in cultivation and stewardship efforts. 
• Manage the scope and sequence and ongoing engagement of the Board’s Development Committee in service of activating the Board toward building new relationships and facilitating introductions to new prospects.
• Support Board members in developing confidence and capacity in fundraising. 
• Work closely with the Development Committee to set strategy and monitor progress. 
• Equip Board members with tools, messaging, and engagement opportunities. 
• Support Executive Director in managing all Board communications related to advancing development strategy. 

Events & Donor Engagement 

• Develop the organization’s event strategy as a primary tool for securing revenue in FY26-27.
• Lead strategic project management of donor cultivation and stewardship events inclusive of logistics and stakeholder management. 
• Set the fundraising strategy and goals for the organization’s annual benefit dinner, POMP! and oversee the Development team’s execution of the event in partnership with staff, volunteers, and the Board.
• Communications & Storytelling 
• Work with the Development, Marketing and Communications team to develop:
  
  • Annual Report 
  • End-of-Year Appeal 
  • Fundraising Materials
• Create compelling donor communications, proposals, impact reports, stewardship materials, and appeals.
• Ensure alignment of fundraising messaging with organizational values and goals.
• Translate program impact into compelling donor narratives. 
• Manage the process for all grant submissions and ongoing reporting, including collaboration to gather necessary inputs and reviews.
• Team Leadership & Cross-Department Collaboration 
• Supervise the additional Development team member. 
• Facilitate regular Development team meetings. 
• Collaborate with Program and Operations.
• Build a supportive, accountable, and equity-centered team culture. 

Skills and Personal Characteristics:

• Understands fundraising and has broad experience in Development. 
• Balances strategic thinking with hands-on execution. 
• Builds trust across staff, Board, and donor communities. 
• Is energized by building systems and scaling impact.
• Solves problems with an orientation toward outcomes and continuous improvement and learning. 
• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as active and exceptional listening skills.
• Effectively works autonomously and as part of a diverse team, and is comfortable taking initiative and leading when the opportunity arises. 
• Is enthusiastic about, committed to, and/or embedded in the Evanston community, with a deep knowledge of the local nonprofit sector and its shared leading donors. 
• Maintains the highest level of integrity, professionalism, and ethics. 
• Has proven commitment to equity and cross-cultural competencies. 
• Demonstrates mastery navigating a range of technology tools and databases (i.e. CRM database software, preferably Salesforce). 

Qualifications and experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree required 
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a proven track record of success in portfolio management
• Management experience preferred, but not required
• Demonstrated track record of building donor and institutional relationships
• A deep commitment to the mission and values of our organization
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, board members, and volunteers
• Ability and desire to engage in DEI-related discussions and incorporate a DEI lens in all written materials
• A positive, Make It Happen mindset and the flexibility to adapt in a growing organization
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends
• Ability to carry approximately 15-20 lbs 
• Ability to traverse a flight of stairs 

Salary and Benefits:

This is a full-time, exempt position, 40 hours/week, with a hybrid of remote and in-person work. The salary range is $115,000-125,000 annually. Pay is commensurate with experience; we also offer comprehensive health benefits and top-of-the-market paid time off.  Benefit offerings include group medical, dental, and vision insurance policies with insurance premium stipend for enrollees, SIMPLE IRA plan with a matching contribution, cell phone reimbursement stipend, and a generous paid time off and holiday schedule.  Hybrid schedule (3x/week in office). Flex-time is also available based on development schedule and needs. 

Application Procedure:

Please submit a pdf resume and cover letter to Steve Newman – careers@evanstonscholars.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Evanston Scholars is an equal opportunity employer and consideration for employment is made without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.