Development Coordinator

The Development Coordinator supports Illinois Policy's mission by executing the day-to-day development operations that power donor engagement and fundraising success. This role ensures smooth logistical and administrative support across donor communication, data management, project coordination, and events. A key focus is cultivating and stewarding low-dollar donors through personalized outreach and managing in-house mailings. This role also supports the CEO by assisting with email management and personal donor correspondence, helping to maintain high-touch relationships across the organization's donor network.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Support & Donor Correspondence Support

• Assist the CEO with managing and organizing donor-related emails and correspondence in the inbox.
• Flag time-sensitive items, draft replies or follow-ups, and help maintain continuity in donor communications.
• Prepare thank-you notes, updates, and other personalized correspondence on behalf of the CEO.
• Maintain schedules and calendars for the President and CEO, as well as the Vice President of External Relations, at all times.

Low-Dollar Donor Cultivation & Stewardship

• Execute Dial for Dollars strategy, calling donors regularly to encourage renewal or upgraded giving.
• Steward donors by thank you phone calls.
• Help identify and act on opportunities to deepen relationships with small-dollar supporters.
• Document outreach in Salesforce to support coordinated follow-up.

In-House Mailing Campaigns

• Manage end-to-end coordination of in-house donor mailings, LOIs, Impact Reports, Donor Updates, thank-you notes, event invitations, and special outreach.
• Organize printing, packaging, personalization, and delivery schedules to meet deadlines.
• Track mailing metrics and suggest improvements to boost response rates.

Internal Project Coordination (specific to written communications)

• Oversee logistical execution for internal fundraising-related projects: Proposal creation and distribution, email campaigns, text message campaigns.
• Keep timelines and deliverables on track by coordinating with colleagues, vendors, and contractors.
• Maintain internal systems and workflows for repeatable, efficient execution.

CRM & Data Management

• Accurately enter and update donor information, call notes, and activity tracking in the CRM.
• Conduct donor and foundation research using online tools and internal platforms to support meeting prep.
• Ongoing project coordination with partner organization (weekly wealth screen checks, donor profile requests, database troubleshooting).

Event Management & Execution

• Coordinates the planning and logistics of donor cultivation and stewardship events, including venue selection, guest list management, RSVPs, program run-of-show, and on-site execution.
• Represents the development team at events when requested, providing on-site coordination, donor support, and real-time reporting.
• Keeps an accurate record of all invited guests and attendees, helps the team coordinate event follow up.

Administrative & Team Support

• Respond to incoming development communications (calls, emails, physical mail), triaging or responding as needed.
• Follow up on gifts given through different vehicles to ensure they are recorded correctly in our database and properly thanked.
• Schedule meetings and assist with preparation materials for the VP of External Relations and broader team.
• Participate in development meetings and provide admin/logistical support.

Qualifications

• 1 to 3 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, donor engagement, or administrative support.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially phone etiquette and donor-facing emails.
• Highly organized with strong time management and follow-through.
• CRM/database experience (e.g., Salesforce, EveryAction, Raisers Edge) preferred.
• Grace under pressure, comfort with juggling multiple tasks, and a passion for donor stewardship.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with donor segmentation, personalized engagement strategies, and grassroots fundraising.
• Experience planning events and managing mailings or campaign logistics.
• Discretion and professionalism when working with confidential or executive-level correspondence.

Compensation

Base salary range of $40,000 to $65,000, commensurate with experience. The compensation package includes health (medical and dental plans with employer-paid share), 401(k), flexible spending benefits, and vacation and sick days.

Location

The development associate will work in our Chicago office.