Ready to build something that matters?
NAMI Cook County North Suburban is looking for an energetic, creative Development Manager who's excited to roll up their sleeves and grow our fundraising program alongside us. This is a true partnership role; you won't be building alone. You'll work in close, day-to-day collaboration with the Executive Director, who will be your active partner in fundraising strategy, donor relationships, and event execution.
About NAMI Cook County North Suburban
NAMI Cook County North Suburban (NAMI CCNS) is a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization. Founded in the early 1990s by family members of individuals living with mental illness, NAMI CCNS has grown into an organization serving 17+ communities across Cook County's north suburbs, including Skokie and Glenview. We provide free, donor- and grant-funded programs led by trained volunteers with lived experience. Our work is powered by individual donations, grants, and fundraising events such as our annual Gala and NAMIWalk.
Position Overview
The Development Manager leads NAMI CCNS's fundraising efforts across all fronts, working in close partnership with the Executive Director to build a sustainable and growing base of financial support for the organization.
This role owns special event fundraising, builds and manages a pipeline of individual donor relationships, engages the Board of Directors in fundraising efforts, and partners closely with the organization's grant writer to ensure grant opportunities are identified, tracked, and secured. The Development Manager is a key partner to the Executive Director in shaping NAMI CCNS's overall fundraising strategy and sponsorship structure.
Schedule
This is a part-time, 30-hour-per-week position. Core business hours are 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, with the specific weekly schedule coordinated with the Executive Director. Fundraising events, donor meetings, and community functions often take place in the evenings and on weekends, and this role is expected to flex accordingly. Advance notice will be given where possible.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising Strategy & Leadership
- Partner with the Executive Director to set annual fundraising goals and strategy across events, individual giving, and grants
- Build and manage the organization's overall development calendar and sponsorship structure
- Track and report fundraising progress, pipeline health, and revenue projections to the Executive Director and Board as needed
Special Events
- Lead fundraising strategy and execution for signature events
- Manage event sponsorship sales, from outreach through fulfillment
- Coordinate with staff, volunteers, and vendors on event logistics as they relate to fundraising and donor experience
- Track event revenue, expenses, and return on investment, and recommend improvements year over year
Individual Donor Cultivation
- Build and manage a portfolio of individual donor relationships, including identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship
- Develop and execute a donor communications and recognition plan
- Maintain accurate donor records and giving history in coordination with organizational systems
- Cultivate and steward key existing donor relationships inherited by the organization
Grants
- Collaborate closely with NAMI CCNS's grant writer to identify, prioritize, and pursue grant opportunities aligned with organizational needs
- Track grant deadlines, deliverables, and reporting requirements in coordination with the grant writer and Executive Director
Board & Systems Collaboration
- Engage and collaborate with the Board of Directors and relevant board committees (e.g., Development Committee) on fundraising strategy, event planning, and donor stewardship
- Maintain fundraising and donor data in organizational systems (e.g., CRM, Monday.com)
- Collaborate with the Program and Outreach teams to align fundraising messaging with programmatic impact and community presence
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
- Commitment to NAMI CCNS's mission and values
- 3+ years of nonprofit development or fundraising experience, or equivalent transferable experience
- Demonstrated experience with special event fundraising and sponsorship management
- Experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donor relationships
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Comfort working both independently and collaboratively within a small, growing team
Preferred
- Ties to the NAMI CCNS service area
- Lived experience or professional connection to mental health advocacy
- Proficiency with donor management or CRM systems
- Experience working in a small or growing nonprofit environment
Work Environment
- Hybrid role based in Skokie; specific in-office days coordinated with the Executive Director
- Requires reliable transportation to attend donor meetings, events, and community functions across the Cook County North Suburban service area
- Requires occasional evening and weekend availability
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods during events and meetings
- Ability to lift and carry up to 35 lbs (event materials, signage, tabling equipment)
Benefits:
A Note to Applicants
We know great candidates come from all kinds of backgrounds, and no one checks every box on a list like this. If you're energetic, resourceful, and excited about the mission, we encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't line up perfectly with every qualification above.
To Apply
Send your resume to [email protected] with the subject line "[Your Name] - Development Manager Application". No cover letter needed; instead, briefly answer the following question in your email:
Where do you want to be in your career three years from now, and how does this role fit into that?
Pay: $30.00 - $35.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Skokie, IL 60077
