Director of Development, Chicago

About Guitars Over Guns

Guitars Over Guns Organization (GOGO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides music education and mentorship by pairing students from vulnerable communities in Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York with professional musicians. Their goal? To help them overcome challenges, discover their voice, and unleash their potential as future leaders. Since 2008, they’ve positively impacted over 9,700 students, boosting academic achievement and engagement. In Chicago alone, they’re making waves with a $2.2 million budget, and serving 637 youth across 24 programs focused on the South, West, and Southwest sides.

Position Summary

As the driving force behind GOGO’s impact on the community, the Director of Development in Chicago is a pivotal team player who will be working closely with the Regional Director of Chicago and board leadership. The Director will collaborate with the team across multiple cities to shape and implement strategies that drive the organization toward their annual goals through grants, events, and donations.

This role isn’t a traditional desk job—it’s about building meaningful connections, both within the organization and throughout the community. The Director will be a self-starter who thrives on being public facing to come and make this role their own. GOGO offers a work environment that is a blend of fast-paced and fun, casual yet professional, and undeniably upbeat. GOGO is about serious work, but having a sense of humor and a genuine desire to find joy in what they do lies at the core of their values.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Position duties and responsibilities for the Director of Development include, but are not limited to:

• Lead all development activities within the local market to drive revenue growth and donor engagement, with responsibility for achieving an annual fundraising goal of $600,000 through individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and special events.
• Support GOGO’s ambitious growth plans through developing new campaigns and leading all current campaigns, like Giving Tuesday and Band Together.
• Actively seek out, build, and maintain relationships with donors, grantors, and foundation staff while ensuring that they feel engaged and connected to the organization’s mission and activities.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit gifts from major donors in Chicago, collaborating with the Regional Director and Board of Directors.
• Increase the portfolio of annual grants from corporate, government, and foundation sources through collating data and writing grant proposals.
• Engage major donors by identifying, planning, and assisting hosts for house concerts, public, and private events.
• Lead and inspire a team of committed GOGO champions that are dedicated to supporting the health of GOGO’s public presence and events, including networking within the philanthropic community in Chicago, and volunteering as needed.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to help produce fundraising materials, website content, and a monthly newsletter.
• Be an inspiring ambassador for the GOGO vision and ensure it is reflected in all strategies and outputs.

Candidate Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in fundraising, specifically skilled in developing and stewarding relationships with a skill for connecting and engaging individuals from all backgrounds and levels.
• Unwavering integrity and trustworthiness, especially when dealing with confidential and critical contacts.
• Deep understanding of Chicago’s communities, assets, and challenges with a familiarity with Chicago’s philanthropic landscape.
• Passion for raising funds for an organization that inspires youth and creates change.
• Ability to work in dynamic environments and manage competing priorities and a diverse workload.
• Solutions-oriented, not afraid to be hands on and think outside the box to achieve goals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Enjoys taking the initiative to meet new people and maintain relationships within the network.
• Adaptable to new technologies and CRM systems.
• Openness to working in a hybrid work environment with ability to travel throughout the Chicagoland area as needed.

POLICY ON PLACEMENT AND RECRUITING

The Batten Group and Guitars Over Guns Organization are equal-opportunity employers committed to the principles of nondiscrimination in the workplace. Candidates will not be discriminated against on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, or any other basis that is prohibited by federal, state, or local law.