Development Coordinator

The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is seeking a Development Coordinator to enhance donor and member relations while supporting the Development Department. The role involves managing donor communications, maintaining records, and contributing to the success of various events.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Finance team and the Manager, Prospect Research Analyst to execute timely and accurate gift acknowledgements for the Development Department
• Execute personalized donor and membership communications through mail merges and monthly renewals
• Serve as the first point of contact for the Development Department, addressing inquiries and strengthening relationships with donors, funders and members
• Accurately process and fulfill gift memberships, while keeping donor records up to date
• Maintain accurate donor records in the Tessitura database, providing back-up for gift entry, list pulls, and extractions as needed
• Coordinate and write "Donor Spotlights" for the monthly Membership E-Newsletter in partnership with the Marketing Department
• Keep the Development Department organized by managing meetings, agendas and departmental calendars
• Manage department contributions to organizational reports and communications
• Ensure smooth operations by maintaining Development materials inventory and vendor relationships
• Support the activities of the CAC Board of Trustees’ Committees by managing meeting invitations, hosting Zoom meetings, and taking minutes
• Provide administrative assistance to the Chief Advancement Officer, including meeting preparation, scheduling, reporting, filing, and data entry
• Contribute to the success of Development events, including Burnham Society, Industry Council, Gala, and other VIP events
• Duties may include but are not limited to answering or forwarding any questions to correct staff members and assisting with pre-event and day-of-event tasks as assigned, such as printing nametags and assisting guests with check-in
• Contribute to special projects or initiatives as assigned by the department leadership

Skills

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 1–2 years of relevant experience in donor relations, sales, administration, or a similar role
• Self-starter with creative problem-solving skills
• Detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities
• High comfort level with technology and a variety of applications (Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, mail merging, Asana, and WordFly)
• Experience with CRM or fundraising database
• Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal
• Interpersonal skills and ability to foster strong working relationships
• Interest in being part of an entrepreneurial environment
• Curiosity about the built environment and civic engagement
• Customer service experience is a plus

Company Overview