Started in 1954 by a group of multi-denominational Hispanic pastors to meet the needs of newly arrived immigrants, Casa Central has grown into one of the Midwest's largest Latino social service agencies. Last year alone, more than 5,000+ families in the Chicagoland area were impacted through various community events, educational programming, and direct, family-centered services. Programming at Casa Central is organized into three main areas centered around inspiring lifelong learning among children and youth, providing safety & self-reliance for individuals and families, and promoting active, healthy lifestyles for older adults. Children and youth receive educational services and care through Casa Central's Early Learning Academy (both home and center-based) and other School Age Programs.
Individuals' and families' lives are directly enriched through programs such as Intact Family Services, Violence Prevention and Intervention Programs, and the La Posada Transitional Housing Program. Older adults can utilize the Adult Wellness Center and access Home Care Services. Home Care Services, School Age Programs, and the Early Learning Academy are some of the most sought-after programs at Casa Central.
The results and impact of Casa Central's programming and events demonstrate a high success rate in enriching the quality of people's lives. Casa Central strives to reflect its core values of connectedness, accountability, responsiveness, excellence, and service in all that they do.
Position Overview
The Vice President of Advancement will build and grow a best-practice fundraising program leading to immediate growth while overseeing the execution of the plan and supervision and support of five to seven staff. An established donor base awaits an ambitious and strategic leader's ability to overlay a comprehensive moves management strategy to build a strong relationship-based and donor-centric fundraising program.
The right candidate sets and drives the strategy to build a fundraising ethos grounded in a culture of philanthropy and relationship-building strategies. A passion for planning and implementing strategies that identify, cultivate, close, and steward donors and an aptitude for enhancing internal systems and processes that support growth are an ideal mix of skill sets. As a key member of the executive leadership team, this individual will need to be a confident and innovative strategist and will serve as an effective ambassador for CASA Central.
Passionate about the opportunity to transform the lives of people and make Chicagoland a better place to live and work, the new Vice President of Advancement will have a deep understanding of what it takes to build a thriving and collaborative fundraising team and know how to create a multi-faceted fundraising program. Reporting to and collaborating with the President and CEO, the Vice President for Advancement will also work closely with the CFO, COO, and Casa Central's Board of Directors.
The successful candidate for this position will:
Build and oversee a comprehensive fundraising program developing donor and prospect portfolios that focus on continuing to increase support from corporate and foundation donors and building an individual major gifts program.
Be an experienced fundraiser with a track record of success in raising significant (six-figure and above) gifts
through annual giving, major gifts, grants, special events, and corporate sponsorships
Know how to build, manage, and inspire an advancement team to successfully meet fundraising goals
Possess a passion for serving individuals through results and data-informed programming
Embrace and exude a sensitivity to cultural diversity
Be a collaborative team player
Be an effective communicator and ambassador for Casa Central
Responsibilities
Resource Development
Work with the leadership team to establish appropriate long- and short-term fundraising goals, priorities, and policies, and implement strategic initiatives to support Casa Central's mission and vision.
Build a culture of philanthropy across the organization.
Build and prioritize a personal portfolio of 100+ qualified prospects comprised of individuals,
corporations, and foundations in addition to creating and supporting the President and CEO's formal portfolio.
Support the CEO when needed as the primary relationship manager of identified donors, including partnering on solicitations.
Actively engage the Board of Directors, including the Advancement Committee, Emeritus Advisory Board, Executive Leadership Auxiliary Board, and the Emerging Leaders Auxiliary Board in fundraising efforts and ensure that individual members are supported in carrying out their roles as fundraisers.
Staff and facilitate the activities of the Board Advancement Committee as partners in philanthropy, supporting the development of their peer relationships with donors moving toward solicitation.
Ensure that all fundraising messaging and publications are compelling and consistent with Casa Central's brand and voice.
Explore, establish, and maintain relationships with new partners, such as the private and corporate business community, when appropriate and in the interests of the organization.
Oversee and collaborate with an external marketing and communications firm to shape and coordinate agency public relations messages, press releases, and social media messaging to ensure consistent and uniform communications.
Represent Casa Central on key community task forces, networks, boards, and community meetings as assigned or directed by the President & CEO.
Work collaboratively with the Director of Advancement and Advancement Officer to oversee key elements of a well-established volunteer program.
Advancement Team Oversight
Oversee the advancement department as a whole, setting high-level departmental strategy.
Directly supervises the Director of Advancement, an operationally-based role that has a team of 5 fundraising professionals directly reporting to them and includes overseeing contractual grant services as well as an external marketing firm.
Oversee the management and marketing of the corporate, annual giving, major gifts, and planned giving programs and coordinate fundraising from foundations, individuals, and government agencies.
Ensure the advancement team's timely completion of proposals, documentation of individual prospect strategies, cultivation and stewardship plans, and qualification efforts utilizing the Raiser's Edge CRM.
Oversee and leverage signature events at Casa Central, which include Summer Fiesta, Casa Central's Back to School and Community Block Party, and their annual gala.
Manage the department operating budget and monitor spending against plan.
Approves time sheets and ensures compliance with agency and funder guidelines.
Qualifications
Demonstrates enthusiasm and passion for the mission of Casa Central.
Aptitude as a confident, self-directed leader, sound decision maker, innovative thinker, and detail-oriented professional in a fast-paced environment.
Proven track record of identifying, cultivating, stewarding, and soliciting philanthropic support in an entrepreneurial environment where the prospective donor constituency is not immediately obvious.
Employs a strategic and relationship-based approach towards building fundraising relationships, both internally and externally.
Ability to proactively engage funders, staff, and volunteers telling stories of impact from an empowering and strengths-based lens that always respects and builds acceptance.
Inclusive, creative, and positive approach to collaboration and team building across all levels of the organization.
Knowledge of the principles and ethics of fundraising and emerging trends within the fund development profession.
Demonstrated experience in managing revenue/expense budgets and a staff team.
Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Requires a bachelor's degree in a job-related major and seven+ years of progressively responsible
nonprofit fundraising and supervisory experience with a proven track record of successful development leadership of a department that raises more than $1 million annually. Must have a strong background in meeting goals and demonstrated ability in closing six+ figure gifts.
Must have excellent writing, interpersonal, and communication skills; ability to work as part of
a team and independently; ability to adapt, be flexible, and creative; ability to plan for and manage multiple projects while working in a fast-paced environment. Must be highly organized, and detail-oriented, with a strong ability to prioritize; ability to use sound judgment in maintaining confidentiality of donor information; apply necessary research, data collection, organizational, and time-management skills. Occasional evening and weekend work needed.
Compensation and Benefits
This position is located at 1343 N. California Avenue, Chicago, IL, with some work-from-home flexibility and local/regional travel.
The salary range for this position is $115,000-$130,000. Compensation is
commensurate with experience.
Casa Central offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
Hybrid work schedule
Generous paid time off
Medical with HSA plan, dental, and vision insurance coverage
Life and disability insurance
Purchasing Point Discount Program
Employee Assistance Program
Casa Central is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or marital status. Increasing diversity of all kinds at the staff and board levels is an
organizational priority.
Instructions for Applicants
This search is being conducted by TWB Fundraising. To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter directly through LinkedIn. Inquiries and questions will be held confidentially and may be directed to Heidi Waltner-Pepper, hpepper@twbfundraising.com No calls, please.