Brightpoint (formerly known as Children’s Home & Aid) invites you to join our team of mission-driven staff who share a common vision: an equitable world where all children and families thrive in strong communities. As a leader in the human services sector for 140 years, we aim to advance the well-being of children by investing in families and strengthening communities through data-informed, collaborative, and preventative solutions.

The Manager of Major Gifts identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, secures, and stewards a portfolio of high-net-worth donors and a smaller portfolio of discovery prospects. This role involves strong, detail-oriented portfolio management, setting strategy and leading ongoing analysis, and building strong relationships with high-net-worth individuals to secure financial support that aligns with Brightpoint's mission and goals.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions:

Achieves revenue goals identified within the annual budget. Manages a portfolio of top donors with the goal of retaining and upgrading annual gifts and building the major and planned gift pipelines. Develops and implements individualized cultivation plans for major gift prospects, keeping donors informed about the impact of their gifts. Works closely with the Chief Advancement Officer and Vice President of Advancement to secure major gifts. Builds and maintains long-term relationships with donors through regular, personalized communication and engagement activities. Organizes and participates in donor meetings. Identifies potential major gift prospects through research, networking, and referrals; develops strategies to engage prospects. Effectively utilizes fundraising intelligence platforms or similar prospect research tools to generate leads and gather comprehensive insights into prospective donors and partners. Regularly networks with and represents the organization at external events and in strategic community groups to raise awareness and identify and engage prospects and potential partnerships. Prepares and presents compelling proposals and gift agreements. Makes direct solicitation of donations that align with donor philanthropic interests and Brightpoint’s needs. Educates and engages major donors on various giving options such as planned giving, donor-advised funds (DAFs), and charitable contributions from IRAs, helping them maximize their philanthropic impact and achieve their financial and estate planning goals. Responsible for follow up thank you calls, emails, and handwritten notes to assigned donors. With support of Gift Processing Associate, ensures proper acknowledgment and recognition of major gifts. Attends all fundraising events associated with portfolio. Maintains accurate and up-to-date records of donor interactions and proposals in the donor database, Raiser’s Edge/NXT. Prepares reports on contacts, potential donors, progress toward fundraising goals, etc., as requested. Develops strong knowledge and understanding of Brightpoint’s programs and uses that knowledge to engage donors. Provides insights and recommendations during the budget planning process based on a deep understanding of donor interests and priorities, ensuring alignment between funding needs and donor motivations. Seeks professional development opportunities to bring best practices in major gifts to Brightpoint. Seeks opportunities that will enhance job performance including attending webinars, conferences, building networks within the organization and with colleagues in the field.

Required and Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

High school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor’s degree in Business, Nonprofit Management, or a related field preferred. A minimum of 3 years of experience in major gift fundraising required. Demonstrates a proven track record of securing five- and six-figure gifts. Experience as the solicitor of a large portfolio of major donors and in supporting others in outreach to new prospects. Demonstrates deep knowledge of fundraising principles and best practices, including familiarity with IRA giving, planned giving, and estate planning concepts. Expertise with Chicago funding community highly desirable. Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills; consistently writes clearly and concisely for various mediums and audiences. Demonstrates excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills to effectively engage with donors, potential donors, and other stakeholders and to collaborate with organization staff. Demonstrates strong customer service skills. Demonstrates a high level of professionalism and has a track record of adhering to the highest ethical standards in all fundraising practices. Demonstrates a high level of discretion and confidentiality. Demonstrates excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Demonstrates strong proactive and strategic thinking skills. Demonstrates strong project management skills. Demonstrates effective organizational and time management skills with the ability to set priorities, handle multiple projects and responsibilities, and meet deadlines. Demonstrates excellent attention to detail. Demonstrates initiative, consistent follow-through, and the ability to work independently. Demonstrates intermediate computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Outlook, and videoconference software and develops competency with applicable web-based systems used by the program within the first 90 days of employment. Must have access to transit or other reliable transportation to execute the position’s responsibilities. Demonstrates respect and acceptance of diverse individuals and communities served by, working in partnership with or employed by Brightpoint including but not limited to race, gender, ethnicity, social-economic status, and LGBTQIA+ populations.

Additional Requirements:

 Travel locally and to other locations in the state (up to 20% of time.); occasional overnight travel for events or other meetings. Availability to work evenings and weekends for donor events and meetings.

Job details:  

Compensation: Salary Range starts at $80k; offers are commensurate with candidate qualifications and experience. Benefits: Medical/dental/vision insurance, 3+ weeks paid time off in the first year including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day (PTO increases with tenure); 11 paid holidays, supplemental insurance options, 401(k) with match (more benefits details here)  Location: 200 West Monroe Street (downtown Chicago loop) Schedule: Full-time, salaried. Regular business hours with remote flexibility 3-4 days/week. Student Loan Forgiveness: Brightpoint is an approved agency for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). 

Where you work matters.

We believe that by building diverse and inclusive teams of passionate advocates for youth and families, we can continue to show up for Illinois families, putting those families at the center of every decision, and strengthening the communities where we all work, play, and live together. (More about who we are here.)

We invite you to become an active member of a team that supports, inspires, and challenges each other, and grow your career in an organization that celebrates emerging leaders and provides development and learning opportunities aligned with your individual goals and aspirations. If you are looking for an opportunity to do meaningful work, including raising your unique and authentic voice to disrupt the systemic inequality impacting children and families, we encourage you to apply today.  

Click here to review our agency’s Blueprint for Impact.

Brightpoint is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action. All employment activities are conducted in an equal and equitable fashion. The Agency prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, parental status, veteran status, source of income, and any other legally protected category in the recruitment, selection, hiring, determination of salary level and benefits, promotion, demotion, layoff, termination, and other terms and conditions of employment.