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# Development Manager

- **Company:** Lawndale Christian Legal Center
- **Location:** Chicago, IL, United States
- **Experience:** Experienced
- **Salary:** $80,000.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Databases, Raiser's Edge
- **Published:** July 23, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=0a5716ae979c852d

## About the Role

* Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree or nonprofit certification a plus
 * Three or more years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, volunteer management, corporate partnerships, nonprofit management or a related field preferred
 * Experience managing databases, CRM systems, donor management software, or similar relationship management platforms; Network for Good preferred
 * Exceptional relationship-builder able to engage with diverse stakeholders
 * Excellent project management skills with high attention to detail and organization
 * Strong written and verbal communication skills
 * Self-directed with an entrepreneurial mindset
 * Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed for fundraising and programmatic events.

## Description

The Development Manager is responsible for supporting and strengthening LCLC's annual fundraising and donor stewardship efforts while building the systems, processes, and relationships necessary to support long-term organizational growth.

Working closely with the Vice President of Advancement, the Development Manager will cultivate and steward donors, strengthen donor retention, and help build a sustainable donor pipeline. This role requires an individual who is equally comfortable building authentic donor relationships and creating organizational systems that ensure consistent stewardship and follow-through.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, self-directed, relationship-oriented, and committed to advancing the mission of LCLC through thoughtful donor engagement and exceptional stewardship.

Responsibilities

Donor Relations & Fundraising

 * Cultivate, steward, and strengthen relationships with current and prospective donors at all levels
 * Develop and implement donor engagement strategies that increase retention and long-term support
 * Assist in identifying major gift prospects through screening and research; create donor profiles
 * Support the Vice President of Advancement and others in donor cultivation and stewardship activities
 * Manage donor acknowledgment, recognition, and stewardship processes
 * Help grow volunteer-to-donor conversion and annual giving participation
 * Participate in planning and execution of fundraising, cultivation and stewardship events

Development Systems & Infrastructure

 * Maintain accurate donor records and relationship histories within the donor database
 * Develop and manage donor stewardship systems and tracking processes
 * Create and maintain fundraising dashboards, reports, and performance metrics
 * Implement portfolio segmentation strategies to improve donor engagement
 * Assist in developing a sustainable revenue pipeline and donor journey process
 * Manage development consultant and vendor relations as needed

Development Communications

 * Draft donor acknowledgment letters and appeals for print and electronic campaigns
 * Create donor-facing materials, such as newsletters, pitch decks and presentations
 * Support efforts to communicate the impact of donor investment and community engagement


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