Chief Advancement Officer

North Lawndale College Prep

Chief Advancement Officer (CAO)

Reports To : Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Supervises : Development Associate(s), Communications / Marketing staff (as applicable)

Position Summary

The Chief Advancement Officer is a senior‑level leadership position responsible for designing, leading, and executing a comprehensive, multi‑year advancement strategy for NLCP. This role is the organization’s chief fundraiser, charged with securing the financial resources necessary to achieve NLCP’s mission and strategic goals. The Director provides vision and leadership for all fundraising, donor relations, communications, and marketing efforts, serving as a key external face of the organization and holding ultimate responsibility for protecting the NLCP brand and brand management.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities : Leadership & Strategy

Develop and implement a comprehensive, data‑driven advancement plan ($1.2 million annual fundraising goal) that incorporates all fundraising streams : major gifts, annual giving, institutional (corporate and foundation) giving, planned giving, and special events.

Work directly with the CEO and Board of Directors to set annual fundraising goals and develop board‑level strategies for donor cultivation and solicitation.

Serve as a key member of the Leadership Team, providing strategic input on NLCP’s overall direction, budgeting, and external representation.

Prepare and present regular reports on fundraising progress, metrics, and trends to the CEO and Board.

Foster a culture of philanthropy throughout the organization, engaging staff, board members, and volunteers in advancement efforts.

Brand Protection & External Representation

Oversee the organization’s communications and marketing efforts to ensure consistent, mission‑aligned messaging across all platforms.

Protect the NLCP brand and reputation in all external communications and activities.

Serve as a primary external representative for NLCP, strategically engaging with key stakeholders, community partners, and media (in coordination with the CEO).

Fundraising & Donor Relations

Manage a personal portfolio of top‑tier major gift prospects (individuals, corporations, and foundations) to cultivate, solicit, and steward six‑ and seven‑figure gifts.

Identify, qualify, and cultivate new donor relationships, acting as a primary external ambassador for NLCP.

Oversee the grant writing and reporting process for foundation and government sources, ensuring timely and compelling submissions.

Design and oversee a robust donor stewardship and recognition program to ensure donors feel valued and informed of their impact.

Management & Operations

Lead, mentor, and manage the Advancement team, including the Development Officer(s), setting clear goals and performance metrics.

Oversee the maintenance and optimization of the donor database (CRM) to ensure data integrity, accurate gift processing, and effective prospect research.

Manage the Advancement department budget.

Ensure all fundraising activities comply with ethical standards and legal requirements.

Qualifications

Master’s in related field required, CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) certification preferred.

Minimum of 3‑5 years of senior leadership experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, with a proven track record of securing major and transformational gifts.

Demonstrated experience managing and mentoring a development team.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including media / public relations savvy, public speaking, and proposal writing.

Experience working effectively with a CEO and a volunteer Board of Directors.

Proficiency with donor database software (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, Bloomerang).

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and interact with students and staff.

Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.

The noise level in the work environment can be moderate to loud, especially in collaborative classroom settings.

Conditions of Employment

Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Compliance with all board policies, ISBE requirements, and relevant educational laws.

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