Vice President of Philanthropy | Anixter Center

Details

Opportunity Snapshot

Founded in 1919, Anixter Center is one of Chicago’s longest-standing human services institutions. In 1997, it merged with the Chicago Hearing Society, founded in 1916. Anixter’s mission is to provide services that enhance lives, promote inclusivity, and strengthen community.

Today, Anixter reaches more than 7,000 Chicagoland residents each year through over 30 programs spanning disability services, mental health care, employment services, and communication access for people who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing. Anixter recently launched a five-year strategic plan (2026 to 2031), opened The Hub, a mental health recovery space in Uptown, and completed a comprehensive development assessment and roadmap. With revenue long anchored in government funding and program fees, Anixter is now investing in a strong, diversified philanthropy program to sustain and expand its services.

With a new strategic plan and committed Board and executive leadership, Anixter is preparing to invest in philanthropy at a scale that matches its $18 million operation. In recent years, Anixter has built a loyal base of individual, foundation, and corporate supporters. With revenue long anchored in government funding and program fees, Anixter is now investing in a strong, diversified philanthropy program to sustain and expand its services. The Vice President of Philanthropy will build the strategy, team, and systems to grow Anixter’s philanthropic revenue.

Key Priorities

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and serving on the executive leadership team, the Vice President of Philanthropy will:

Lead philanthropic strategy and revenue growth

• Implement Anixter’s multi-year development roadmap, setting annual revenue goals and a clear plan to grow philanthropic revenue toward $3 million or more.
• Establish regular reporting for the executive team and Board, including quarterly reviews against targets.

Build a unified case for support

• Develop one narrative that shows how disability services, mental health care, employment services, and CHS work together as one mission.
• Equip the CEO, senior leaders, and Board members to share Anixter’s story with confidence.

Grow individual and major giving       

• Build a disciplined major gifts program with portfolio management, moves management, and tiered stewardship.
• Carry a portfolio of top donors and prospects, leading cultivation and solicitation of five- and six-figure gifts alongside the CEO.
• Lay the groundwork for a planned giving program.

Expand foundation, corporate, and event fundraising

• Pursue high-value, mission-aligned foundation grants and expand corporate partnerships and sponsorships.
• Reimagine the annual gala as a cultivation and leadership giving engine, growing it from more than $300,000 toward $600,000.

Partner with the Board

• Own Board engagement in philanthropy as the Board grows its membership and raises its giving expectations.

Build the team and operations

• Recruit, lead, and develop a growing philanthropy team in line with the development roadmap.
• Strengthen development operations, including Little Green Light, prospect research, and stewardship standards.

Ideal Experience

• Ten to fifteen years of progressive fundraising experience, including senior leadership of a development function with direct responsibility for major gifts and institutional giving.
• A track record of significantly growing philanthropic revenue and building programs and infrastructure, not solely maintaining them.
• Demonstrated success personally soliciting five- and six-figure gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Experience partnering closely with a CEO and Board on fundraising, Board giving, and Board recruitment.
• Experience in human services, disability services, behavioral health, or related sectors is highly valued, as are relationships within Chicago’s philanthropic, corporate, and civic communities.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $140,000 to $160,000, commensurate with experience. Anixter Center offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer-paid life and disability insurance; a 401(k) savings plan; a 24/7 Employee Assistance Program; and 15 to 20 vacation days per year based on tenure, plus paid sick leave.

Anixter Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, accessible, and inclusive workplace. Anixter encourages applications from people with disabilities; people who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing; people of color; women; LGBTQIA+ individuals; and candidates from historically underrepresented communities.

To Apply

This search is being led by Avra Search Partners, a national executive search and leadership advisory firm committed to placing transformative leaders in mission-driven organizations.
 
The full position profile and application are available at: 
https://www.avrasearch.com/current-searches-portfolio/anixter