Development Manager

Job Description

Job Description

GPCA POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title: Development Manager

Reports to: Director of Development & Communications

Effective : July 2025

Classification: Exempt

Background:

The Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance (GPCA or the Alliance) was incorporated in 1998 as a private, non-profit organization committed to the restoration and revitalization of the Garfield Park Conservatory. While the Conservatory is owned and operated by the Chicago Park District, the Alliance is responsible for developing and funding quality education programs and events, promoting community engagement and enhancing visitor services. In its 25+ years, the Alliance has facilitated exponential growth at the Conservatory, offering 450 public programs annually and welcoming over 323,000 visitors in 2024 - including 14,000 schoolchildren.

Summary:

The Development Manager is responsible for growing philanthropic contributions from donors supporting the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance. This position plays a significant role in building relationships with external stakeholders, with a focus on individual donors and some corporate partner outreach.

As a member of the Development & Communications team, the Development Manager has an annual fundraising goal of approximately $500,000 to support the department fundraising goal of $2.3M to advance GPCA’s mission to change lives through the power of nature.

The ideal candidate will display leadership qualities by thinking strategically and comprehensively about the strategic plan goals of the Alliance as well as fundraising goals of the department. The qualified candidate will provide professional insight to accomplish goals. The Manager will initiate collaboration and seek input from key stakeholders to execute fundraising activities that deliver on mission and drive engagement, membership, and revenue generation for the Alliance.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Individual Giving: Membership and Annual Fund - (75%)

• Manage the Membership program, including the monthly renewal process for 1,300+ members and individual donors with strategies to inspire individuals to give at higher levels of support (annual goal approx. $250,000), including annual member drive
• Manage the Annual Fund program with two drives per year, including electronic and print collateral (annual goal approx. $200,000)
• Manage monthly reporting requirements
• Identification, solicitation and stewardship of donors with potential to give $1 - $1,500 annually
• Work in collaboration with Director of Development & Communications on portfolio identification and management of all funder types with a focus on individuals (including DAFs and family foundations) and corporations.
• Manage and ensure fulfillment of membership benefits; maintaining positive relationships and satisfaction
• Supervise Development & Special Events Coordinator to execute acknowledgement letters, donor cultivation and stewardship activities
• Supervise Development & Special Events Coordinator and oversee gift entry and ensure clean donor database

Communications - (15%)

• Draft, edit, and send digital and print fundraising appeals, correspondence and enhance our focus on stewardship
• Make occasional website updates
• Work in collaboration with Digital Media Specialist on content and strategy for membership and fundraising campaigns for social channels
• Attend and take minutes at quarterly board meetings

Special Events - (10%)

• Participate in event management of FLEUROTICA, our annual signature fundraising event
• Aid in development and management of Member/Donor stewardship and cultivation events

Department Collaboration

• Participate in annual goal setting and budgeting to play an active role in department planning
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement to enhance systems and procedures
• Demonstrate a commitment to understanding the programs and work of the Alliance to effectively represent GPCA to others
• Demonstrate a commitment to data review and reporting to inform strategies and goal setting
• Help foster solidarity among networks. You will be part of a public-private partnership and work closely across GPCA departments and with staff from the Chicago Park District, as well as other external community partners and stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience working in fundraising
• 3 -5 years of experience in fundraising, donor cultivation, solicitation & stewardship
• Ability to write letters and emails to donors and/or organizational partners
• Highly organized and detail-oriented; ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Mindful organizational and communication skills; ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with attention to detail
• Proficient with MS Office including Excel
• Experience with Microsoft One Drive or other file-sharing software
• Experience with Donor Perfect or other database management
• Experience with data generation, review and reporting
• Excellent written and verbal communication

Preferred Qualifications:

• Managing or growing a membership and/or individual giving program
• Supervising others
• Collaborating with multiple teams
• Gala or special event fundraising

Current Systems in use:

• Donor Perfect (fundraising crm)
• ACME (ticketing and membership sales)
• NetSuite (accounting)
• WordPress (GPCA website)

Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance (GPCA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind.

GPCA is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at GPCA are based on the organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. GPCA will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. GPCA encourages applicants of all ages.