Philanthropy Officer

Chicago Sun-Times

. Serve as a key member of WBEZ’s externally facing philanthropy team.

Posted 9/28/2026full-timeChicago • Illinois • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $80,000 - $95,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in nonprofit development and frontline fundraising, with a strong focus on donor engagement, cultivation, and stewardship. Proven ability to manage donor portfolios and achieve fundraising goals while maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Nonprofit Development ExperienceFrontline FundraisingDonor Cultivation and StewardshipConstituent Management Software ProficiencyStrong Communication Skills

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

FundraisingDonor SolicitationPortfolio ManagementGift AcknowledgmentData TrackingRelationship ManagementFundraising StrategyEvent PlanningFinancial PrinciplesGoal Achievement

Soft Skills

Attention to DetailOrganizational SkillsInterpersonal SkillsEmotional IntelligenceTact and Diplomacy

Tools & Technologies

Constituent Management SoftwareDevelopment Database

Industry Keywords

PhilanthropyMajor GiftsDonor EngagementNonprofit StandardsConfidentiality

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as a key member of WBEZ’s externally facing philanthropy team.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals’ and families’ philanthropic support of Chicago Public Media’s mission and objectives.
Report to the Associate Director of Major Gifts.
Build and manage a portfolio of approximately 125–150 individual donors and families.
Deepen engagement among existing major donors and increase giving among midlevel donors.
Grow annual revenue and increase the number of donors giving annually at the $5,000+ level.
Manage major donors with capacity to make $5,000+ gifts, executing cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship moves.
Develop personalized cultivation plans to retain and upgrade assigned major donors.
Identify, research, and qualify prospective major donors.
Track plans and outreach in the Development database; provide timely follow-up and meeting debriefs.
Update and track solicitation data and review gift acknowledgments.
Achieve annual visit targets and fundraising goals.
Help shape and execute donor cultivation, engagement, and stewardship opportunities, including invitation lists, donor events, and holiday card mailings.
Assist with or participate in high-level volunteer councils, meetings, and events, sometimes outside business hours.
Participate in strategy sessions and inform colleagues’ major gifts strategies.
Build knowledge of Chicago Public Media and relationships across the organization through events, journalism, and professional learning.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Ideal candidates will have 5+ years of nonprofit development experience, with two years in a frontline fundraising role.
Track record of closing gifts from individuals and families, with demonstrated ability to take relationships with donors and prospects to a higher level and to move difficult cases forward.
Goals and results-driven with the ability to meet deadlines and manage competing priorities.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Attention to detail and organizational skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills required to relate to donors, volunteers, and colleagues.
Ability to consistently display tact, diplomacy, and discretion, and maintain confidentiality inside and outside of the organization.
Understanding of fundraising industry standards regarding donor solicitation, confidentiality, gift crediting, stewardship, and financial principles.
Affinity for collaboration, leading through influence, and a high level of emotional intelligence.
Patience necessary to advance solutions in a complex and collaborative organization.
Excellent judgment; honesty, integrity, and collegiality.
Proficiency with constituent management and fundraising software.
Personal commitment to excellence.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Vacation
Paid holidays
Life insurance
Disability coverage
Retirement savings
Commuter benefits plan
Competitive salary and benefits package