Vice President of Development, Midwest buildOn , IL www.buildon.org

buildOn, an innovative nonprofit with a national and international reach, is seeking an entrepreneurial, mission-driven manager to lead fundraising in its Midwest region. Based in Chicago, the Vice President of Development, Midwest (VP) will play a pivotal role in taking buildOn’s Chicago and philanthropy programs to the next level of success. This is an exciting career opportunity for an experienced, hands-on fundraising professional who is passionate about social justice and the empowerment and education of the world’s youth.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, buildOn continues to embrace its work to break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through innovative service and educational programs. Its intensive service learning programs in high schools throughout the country empower youth to contribute direct service to their communities – working with senior citizens, the homeless population, and younger children. Through buildOn, students learn to see themselves as the solution, not the problem. Additionally, 93 percent graduate from high school and go on to college. These same students help build schools in some of the economically poorest countries in the world, making education accessible in hundreds of communities. buildOn students have contributed more than 1.7 million hours of service in the U.S. and have helped build more than 900 schools in , Haiti, Nepal, Nicaragua, , Mali, and .

Position Summary: Reporting to the organization’s Chief Revenue Officer and overseeing two Development Directors (one in Chicago and one in Detroit), the VP will manage and grow a fundraising program that includes individual giving/appeals, corporate and foundation giving (buildOn’s Corporate Partnership Program), major and planned giving, and events. Additionally, the VP will work closely with and expand an actively engaged Chicago-based board, while working with staff to develop and populate a Detroit-based board. An integral member of buildOn’s national development leadership team, the VP collaborates with peers who are responsible for marketing, event management, and national development/community engagement and crowd-funding initiatives.

Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate is a consummate relationship manager, communicator, and fundraiser with experience building and managing a comprehensive philanthropy program; a person with a passion for buildOn’s mission; a self-starter with experience proactively identifying, cultivating, and soliciting potential donors and engaging stakeholders and partners in the organization’s work. Requirements include: BA/BS and 6+ years’ fundraising management experience; proven track record in front-line fundraising with individuals, corporations, and foundations; and knowledge of the Chicago and/or Detroit philanthropic communities.

buildOn is an equal opportunity employer. This is an exclusive retained search of Exceptional Executive Search, Inc. For a detailed overview of this opportunity, contact Nicole Gakidis at [email protected] or Mary Ann Botelho at [email protected].