Individual Donor Relations Associate The Cara Program Chicago, United States

Reports To: Director of Development and Communications

The Cara Program’s mission is to prepare and inspire motivated individuals to break the cycles of homelessness and poverty, transform their lives, strengthen communities, and forge paths to real and lasting success. Since 1991, The Cara Program has placed over 3,250 at-risk individuals into permanent, quality jobs at average wages more the $2.50 higher than Illinois minimum wage and 75% one-year retention rates (25 points higher than national one-year employment retention rates for similar industries).

Purpose:

The Individual Donor Relations Associate oversees and builds relationships with individual donors and prospects in an effort to maximize financial donations and help The Cara Program achieve its goals. The Individual Donor Relations Associate will spend the majority of his/her time planning and executing an annual individual giving program, including engaging, cultivating, renewing and securing donations from individuals ($500 - $25,000) with a goal of raising $550,000 in year one and increasing the annual fund by 10% each year.

Annual Giving Program (70%): The Individual Donor Relations Associate will manage a successful annual giving program by stewarding donors with effective outreach, executing fundraising appeal mailings, and updating and analyzing donor data. Specific responsibilities include:

• Develop successful cultivation and solicitation strategies to direct and monitor the progress of donor relationships – ensure that donors are adequately and immediately thanked for their contributions and updated on our work;
• Advance individual donor relationships by planning and executing donor cultivation events, reaching out to a select portfolio of donors, and preparing Director of Development or CEO to meet with donors, as necessary;
• Collaborate with Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager to write annual donor reports, letters of inquiry and proposals;
• Identify donors’ philanthropic interests and provide them with an opportunity to realize an outstanding philanthropic experience through their charitable investment of time, treasure and talent in support of The Cara Program;
• Collaborate with Volunteer Coordinator to steward and engage Executive Council and volunteers in fundraising and strategic initiatives for The Cara Program;
• Develop 2-3 fundraising appeal letters per year and manage the logistics of successful mailings;
• Support Director of Development and CEO in identifying, prospecting and creating materials for major gift prospects and donors;
• Maintain accurate records and donor information in Salesforce database; seek out and analyze data to inform communications and development strategy.

Board of Directors (15%): The Individual Donor Relations Associate will also serve as the main contact for scheduling and prepping for Board Meetings, including:

• Manage meeting RSVP lists, work with senior staff on content and agendas, and distribute meeting minutes;
• Track Board participation in events, meetings and ‘give or get’ campaigns;
• Support Board Secretary by maintaining board roster, term limit notes and prospective board member profiles.

Events (15%): As a member of our five person development team, the Individual Donor Relations Associate will be an active participant in preparing for, staffing and participating in The Cara Program’s annual fundraising events. This participation will include:

• Create a stewardship plan for auction donors and purchasers, and be responsible for soliciting key auction items for annual events;
• Extend invitations to major donors to annual events, as well as solicit sponsorships, as appropriate;
• Collaborate with team to prepare event materials, as needed;
• Assist with event planning and day-of event execution.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Prefer applicants who have 2-3 years of comparable experience working with donors and an entrepreneurial approach to managing an annual fund program
• Must have outstanding oral and written communication, organization, project management and interpersonal skills
• Aptitude with Microsoft Word, Excel, PPT
• Ability to simultaneously manage short-term and long-term plans and goals.
• Familiarity with Salesforce.com/Common Ground preferred, or other fundraising software
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment
• Available for some evening and weekend work (for events)
• Commitment to excellence and, most importantly, a passion for the mission and services of The Cara Program.

Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, salary expectations and recent writing sample to Julie Hoffmann at hr.tcp.idra@thecaraprogram.org to be considered.

The Cara Program is an Equal Opportunity Employer.