Director of Major Gifts
Supervised by: Director of Development
Status: Full-time minimum of 32 hours, a four-day work week, exempt
Supervises: None at this time
Date revised: September 2025
Organization Description
The mission of the Chicago Abortion Fund is to advance reproductive autonomy and justice for everyone by providing financial, logistical, and emotional support to people seeking abortion services and by building collective power and fostering partnerships for political and cultural change. We envision a world where everyone has the freedom and autonomy to create lives, families, and communities that are healthy, safe, thriving and where the full range of reproductive choices, including abortion, are accessible and affirmed.
Summary of Position
The Director of Major Gifts will play an integral role in CAF’s department of Development expanding upon individual giving, focusing on major gifts and planned giving. This seasoned and strategic fundraiser will operate with autonomy to not only manage, but also grow CAF’s portfolio of high-capacity donors. The Director of Major Gifts will also build off of the existing infrastructure and strategy needed to secure six and seven-figure commitments that will help sustain CAF’s impact for decades to come. Given that the Director of Major Gifts is a new role starting during a time of transition for the organization, it is intended that this role will grow into the outlined essential job functions.
Compensation
Starting salary range: $92,829 to $114,604 (based on experience and qualifications)
A 401K is offered, with a 5% employer contribution matched if employee contributes
Unlimited paid time off, mandatory four weeks off; paid parental leave; federally observed holidays
100% employer-paid health insurance premiums, including dental and vision, with 50% coverage for dependents.
Work schedule
A full-time work week at CAF is defined as a minimum of 32 hours over four days. This may change in the future.
Illinois residence is required by the start of employment. Work is partially remote. A minimum of 2 days in the office. The office is in the West Loop. This may change in the future.
Essential Job Functions:
Major Gifts and Planning Giving Program (approximately 90%) Manages the full lifecycle of foundation, government, and corporate grants, including research, cultivation, proposal writing, submission, reporting, and renewal
Serve as a strategic leader of the major gifts and planned giving program in partnership with the Senior Director of Development, managing a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, as well as managing the portfolios of the Senior Director of Development, Deputy Director and Executive Director.
Design, implement, and evaluate individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies to grow philanthropic revenue.
Partner with executive leadership and board members to advance major gift and planned giving asks and continue to strengthen the organization’s fundraising culture.
Personally solicit and close major and planned gifts, maintaining a revenue goal of at least $1-2 million.
Identify and qualify new major donor prospects, expanding the organization’s base of transformational investors.
Provide thought leadership in donor engagement strategy, leveraging organizational milestones, campaigns, and impact data.
Collaborate across departments to align funding opportunities with programmatic priorities and articulate a compelling case for support.
Produce and deliver high-quality briefing materials for leadership, ensuring well-prepared, donor-centered engagement.
Represent the organization externally with sophistication, serving as an ambassador in donor meetings, events, and community settings.
Maintain rigorous pipeline and portfolio management through timely documentation, forecasting, and reporting.
Mentor and model best practices for development team members, contributing to a culture of accountability, excellence, and collaboration.
Operate with a high degree of independence, exercising sound judgment and discretion in donor relationships and strategic decision-making.
Other (approximately 10%)
Conducts ongoing prospect research to identify new funders and partnership opportunities
Maintains a grant calendar and proactively manages deadlines
Develops cultivation strategies for top institutional prospects
Qualifications & Experience
7+ years of experience in major gifts, capital campaigns, and planned giving with high-level of autonomy.
Proven track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts from individuals and family foundations.
Exceptional relationship management skills with the ability to inspire confidence, trust, and enthusiasm among high-net-worth donors, board members, and senior leaders.
Demonstrated success in building and managing a high-performing portfolio of 100–150+ donors/prospects, with clear revenue outcomes.
Sophisticated understanding of philanthropic strategy, donor psychology, and complex giving vehicles (planned giving, DAFs, family foundations, etc.).
Excellent strategic thinking and planning abilities with the capability of designing and executing donor engagement strategies aligned with organizational goals.
Strong executive presence and polished communication skills.
Ability to craft compelling proposals, deliver persuasive presentations, and represent the organization at the highest levels.
Data-driven approach with proficiency in donor pipeline management, forecasting, and CRM systems.
Ability to collaborate across departments and with executive leadership to align funding opportunities with programmatic priorities.
High degree of independence, sound judgment, and discretion in handling sensitive donor information and decision-making.
Commitment to mentoring, modeling best practices, and contributing to a culture of excellence within the development team.
Passion for the mission and ability to articulate a compelling case for transformational philanthropy.
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization and are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may come from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that’s just fine. We strongly encourage all interested candidates to apply.
Work Environment
Standard office equipment use required (computers, scanners).
Frequent sitting and virtual communications (email, video conferencing).
Off-site work will be required; accessibility will be prioritized.
Evening and weekend will occasionally be required.
Must be able to conduct business in English; however, fluency in languages other than English is a plus. Spanish pay differential available for qualified candidates.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
How to Apply
Please send a cover letter and resume on Bamboo
Position to begin as soon as possible.
Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality
CAF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual based on any non-merit factor and is committed to an equitable workplace where everyone is treated as a respected and valued member of the team. CAF actively seeks to build and maintain a diverse staff regarding race, culture, ethnicity, class, religion, physical ability, age, gender, and sexual orientation. As an organization working in solidarity with the reproductive justice movement, CAF is committed to fostering the leadership and elevating the voices of women, young people, people of color, Native people, immigrant and refugees, low-income people, LGBQ+, and transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary people, people who have had abortions, people with disabilities, young parents, people who were formerly imprisoned, people who have received funding for abortions, and people living in the many intersections of these experiences.
If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please email danielle@chicagoabortionfund.org or call 847-774-0456 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.