Director of Development

Obama Foundation

. Manage short- and long-term fundraising strategy across the Midwest .

Posted 10/16/2026full-timeChicago • Illinois • United StatesLead💰 $129,675 - $162,070 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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

Demonstrates advanced expertise in fundraising strategy and donor relations, with a proven track record of securing major gifts and cultivating long-term relationships. Proficient in utilizing Salesforce for performance tracking and decision-making in a fast-paced environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Fundraising Strategy ManagementMajor Gift CultivationDonor Relationship ManagementSalesforce ProficiencyPhilanthropy Expertise

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

FundraisingMoves ManagementGift ClosurePortfolio ManagementDonor StewardshipEvent HostingProposal DevelopmentMetrics TrackingStrategic PlanningRelationship Building

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsWritten CommunicationEmotional IntelligenceCollaborationAdaptability

Tools & Technologies

Salesforce

Industry Keywords

PhilanthropyMajor Gifts ProgramDonor RetentionBoard ManagementFundraising Programs

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Manage short- and long-term fundraising strategy across the Midwest
Cultivate, solicit, and steward six- to seven-figure gifts from individual philanthropists
Collaborate with executive leaders to cultivate and close high-level prospects
Build and execute a strategic fundraising plan for a major gifts program
Manage a portfolio of 100+ seven-figure prospects and create customized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans
Maintain relationships with current and prospective donors and increase donor retention
Partner with board members and Development Committee members to support regional fundraising
Collaborate with regional fundraisers and share best practices
Represent the Development team at conferences and gatherings
Use Salesforce to track metrics, evaluate performance, and inform decisions
Create and distribute fundraising and stewardship materials, collateral, briefings, and personalized proposals
Host high-capacity donor events and volunteer engagements
Elevate the donor experience at the Obama Presidential Center through tours, events, and mission-aligned programs
Secure roughly $10M annually to support The Foundation’s mission and vision
Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

8-10 years of experience in fundraising or donor relations
Minimum of five years managing high-capacity boards and volunteers while securing gifts directly
Advanced understanding of philanthropy, moves management, and gift closure
Advanced ability to cultivate, solicit, secure, and steward gifts and relationships
Mastery of and residency in the Midwestern territory
Track record of building relationships with major gift-level donors, including closing gifts of at least $1M+
Deep understanding of fundraising programs and high-level gift strategies
Excellent interpersonal and written skills with high emotional intelligence
Ability to develop and maintain long-term, productive relationships internally and externally in a fast-paced, complex environment

Benefits

Comp & perks

Insurance
Paid time off
Retirement benefits
Hybrid work arrangement or remote work for candidates located in the Midwest outside the Chicago metropolitan area