Director of Development

The Bloc is seeking a strategic, mission-driven Director of Development to lead and grow our fundraising efforts in alignment with our bold vision for impact. With a goal to raise $2.5 million in the coming year, the Director of Development will design and execute a comprehensive development strategy that builds on our proven success with private foundations and recurring donors, while expanding individual giving, event-based revenue, and earned income streams.

This is a key leadership role that blends strategy, storytelling, relationship-building, and strong fundraising fundamentals to increase The Bloc’s visibility, credibility, and financial sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with The Bloc’s mission, programs, and growth objectives.
• Collaborate closely with the Executive Director, board members, and consultants to achieve ambitious revenue goals.
• Lead cross-functional efforts to integrate development goals and communications strategies with programmatic initiatives.
• Work closely with executive, program, and operations teams to align development goals with organizational priorities and impact metrics.
• Build and refine development systems, processes, and infrastructure to support scalable fundraising operations.

Fundraising Execution

• Steward and expand our base of private foundation and government funders in collaboration with grant writing and government affairs contractors.
• Oversee tracking and reporting for grants, ensuring compliance with funder requirements and timely submissions in collaboration with consultants.
• Build and manage a pipeline for major gifts, individual donors, and corporate sponsors.
• Plan and execute fundraising events that increase visibility and generate revenue, in collaboration with staff, board, and volunteers.
• Oversee, create, and execute earned income strategies that align with The Bloc’s mission and engage new stakeholders.
• Oversee and optimize donor stewardship, CRM systems, and reporting processes.
• Design and implement a moves management strategy to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors and prospects.
  
  

Communications & Brand Building

• Craft compelling messaging that communicates The Bloc’s impact, vision, and values across platforms.
• Partner with communications staff or consultants to align fundraising efforts with storytelling and outreach campaigns.
• Represent The Bloc at external events, donor meetings, and fundraising opportunities.
  
  

Board and Stakeholder Engagement

• Support the development of the Associate Board and leverage their network and influence.
• Engage the Board of Directors and key stakeholders in fundraising activities and strategic planning.

Qualifications

• Successful and progressive experience in nonprofit development, with a track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts from diverse sources.
• Strong strategic thinking, project management, and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication, storytelling, and interpersonal abilities.
• Experience with donor CRM systems and data-informed fundraising practices.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort building systems and structures from the ground up.
• Commitment to youth development, racial equity, and community empowerment.

Compensation:

Salary: Starting at $100,000, depending on experience

Benefits: 70-80% Health Insurance Coverage, Flexible time off, up to 4% 401(k) match after the eligibility period

Location: In person work at: The Bloc, 1345 N Karlov Avenue, Chicago, IL 60651. After established, hybrid work could be allowable.