Description
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Director of Individual Giving leads strategy and execution for the Music Institute of Chicago’s individual giving program, with a focus on building a comprehensive, multi-level pipeline of donor support.
This role is responsible for advancing donor engagement through clear, consistent, and mission-aligned communications while driving growth across annual, mid-level, and major individual giving, with emphasis on sourcing new donors from the student population and the greater community.
As a senior member of the development team, the Individual Giving Director partners closely with leadership to shape donor-facing materials and ensure alignment with institutional priorities. This individual will bring a disciplined, data-informed approach to donor strategy, balancing relationship management with scalable communications and program execution.
THE MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
The Music Institute of Chicago is one of the nation's largest and most respected community music schools, renowned for its world-class faculty, personalized approach to teaching, and commitment to musical excellence. Governed by an 18-member Board of Trustees and supported by a dedicated team of 25+ administrative staff and approximately 130 faculty members, MIC annually serves more than 1,500 students ages 7 months to 91 years from 133 Illinois communities and four states across six campuses. Committed to broad access to high-quality music education, MIC provides scholarship and financial aid opportunities to help ensure students can participate regardless of financial means. The organization operates on an annual budget of approximately $7.5 million, including roughly $2.3 million in contributed revenue, and benefits from a strong financial foundation, including an endowment of approximately $6.8 million. The Music Institute also welcomes more than 15,000 visitors annually to Nichols Concert Hall for performances, masterclasses, and special events.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Individual Giving Strategy and Execution
Lead strategy and execution for individual giving across all donor levels
Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects, with responsibility for qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
Support a comprehensive individual giving program that builds a strong pipeline from entry-level through major gifts
Maintain clear goals, benchmarks, and growth strategies for individual philanthropy
Donor Communications
Oversee development of clear, consistent, and mission-aligned donor communications
Partner with leadership to develop donor-facing materials, campaign messaging, and case content
Ensure alignment across all fundraising communications, including appeals, stewardship, and campaign outreach
Ambassador and Volunteer Engagement
Create and execute an ambassador program, including strategy, engagement, and support for volunteer advocates across MIC departments
Equip ambassadors with messaging and tools to effectively represent MIC and expand donor reach
Tie the program into overall fundraising initiatives
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Collaborate closely with marketing and communications to align messaging and timing across channels
Partner with the Development Manager to ensure accurate and actionable donor data
Work with development colleagues to ensure coordinated donor strategies across individual, institutional, and campaign giving
Maintain and manage an integrated communications calendar
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY & INCLUSION
The Music Institute of Chicago is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of our community. We value diversity of backgrounds, experiences, identities, and perspectives, and we believe these differences strengthen our institution and enrich the educational experience for our students.
MIC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit a resume and cover letter outlining your interest in the position and your relevant experience to [email protected].
Remember to include the job title in the subject line of your email.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
5+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with a focus on individual giving
Experience developing and executing multi-channel fundraising strategies
Deep proficiency in CRM systems and standard Office tools
Strong understanding of donor communications, segmentation, and engagement strategy
Demonstrated success managing donor portfolios and closing gifts, including face-to-face asks
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail
Ability to collaborate effectively across teams and with senior leadership
Demonstrated ability to take initiative and operate independently
Ability to work onsite at the MIC office 3 days a week
Ability to work evenings and weekends as required
