BACKGROUND

The Chicago Public Education Fund (The Fund) supports public schools by investing in the talented educators who lead them. As an independent nonprofit organization, we partner with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), the City of Chicago, the local philanthropic community, principals, and aspiring principals to build and sustain a strong leadership culture. For more than two decades, our supportive program and policy efforts and our willingness to innovate alongside educators have made a measurable, positive impact on the quality of leadership in schools and helped educators support student learning. In our current campaign,Chicago Leads, we will raise and invest $50M to deepen and strengthen leadership in Chicagos 636 public schools.

Organizational Values

We are solutions-oriented.We approach our work with a proactive and productive mindset. Challenges are part of the work; we aim for continuous improvement.

We are collaborative.We understand that each team member relies on others to achieve goals. We ask for help when we need it and provide help when asked. The organization, as a whole, is more significant than any one of us alone.

We act with integrity.We say what we will do, and we do what we say. We are honest about what we know and what we are learning; this helps us achieve the best possible outcomes.

We prioritize equity.Our work prioritizes leaders who serve and represent communities most directly impacted by structural racism and systematic exclusion. On our team, we actively recruit and hire for diversity in all areas of identity.Our commitmentsare lived out loud.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Development Associate plays a cross-functional role in advancing The Funds institutional fundraising strategy, stewardship, governance support, and data integrity. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Development, this position supports the full lifecycle of foundation, corporate, and individual fundraisingfrom stewardship and renewals to prospecting, proposal development, systems optimization, and governance coordinationensuring accuracy, coordination, and follow-through.

Following the 2023 launch of the Chicago Leads campaign, The Fund is now focused on stewardship, reporting, and renewals to sustain long-term funder relationships through 2030 and beyond. As the organization prepares for its next phase of fundraising growth, including increased prospecting and proposal activity beginning in 2027, this role will prioritize reporting, renewals, and infrastructure-building in the near term, gradually shifting toward expanded proposal writing and new solicitations.

This is a high-ownership, detail-intensive role that translates strategy and impact into compelling, data-driven communications while strengthening the systems that support long-term fundraising success.

Stewardship, Reporting & Funder Communications

Deliver timely, accurate, and personalized stewardship that strengthens funder relationships, supports governance bodies, and enables effective leadership engagement.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and maintain core stewardship materials and updates forBoard and Leadership Council members, including administration of the annualBoard Survey, synthesis of survey results, preparation of Board stewardship updates, and maintenance of Leadership Council website content.
• Manage end-to-endlogistical coordinationfor governance- and donor-facing events, including space reservations, catering orders, vendor coordination, printing of materials, and on-site readiness.
• SupportBoard and Leadership Council prospecting, including identification, research, internal coordination, and preparation of briefing materials to support leadership decision-making and outreach strategies.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-dategovernance rosters and Outlook distribution lists, ensuring Board and Leadership Council members are correctly reflected in calendars, invitations, and contact lists.
• Support acknowledgment letter workflows for institutional funders in partnership with the Senior Manager of Development.
• Track all stewardship deliverables and funder touchpoints inRaisers Edge.
• Prepare and coordinate funder reports and updates in collaboration with Program, Policy, and Finance teams.
• Maintain consistency in tone, messaging, and data across all funder-facing materials.

Organizational Initiatives, Systems & Committee Support

Support organizational initiatives, fundraising systems, governance, and data accuracy across the Development function.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the CEO and other chiefs, directors, and senior managers to support cross-organizational fundraising initiatives, partnerships, and strategic alliances.
• Provide high-quality coordination and documentation support for priority organizational initiatives that advance The Funds mission and fundraising strategy.
• Support preparation of materials, research, and presentations for Board and committee meetings, including the GOFA (Governance, Operations, Finance & Audit) committee.
• Provide calendaring and coordination support for Senior Manager of Development external meetings, including donor, partner, and stakeholder engagements.
• Prepare concise emails and meeting packets for donor and external meetings, including briefing memos and tailored decks, with a standard 24-hour turnaround when needed.
• Build and maintain fundraising and gift reports in Raisers Edge to support Development meetings, leadership reviews, and decision-making.
• Lead a Monthly Financial Review and Raisers Edge reconciliation in coordination with Finance to ensure audit readiness and accurate revenue reporting.
• Oversee gift entry in Raisers Edge, ensuring timely, accurate coding and compliance with donor intent.
• Coordinate the drafting, design review, and approval of donor acknowledgment letters, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and brand alignment.

Grant Proposal Management & Institutional Renewals

Lead the full grant proposal process to secure renewed and increased institutional support.

Responsibilities

• Manage all stages of grant development, including research, concept notes, proposals, renewals, and submissions.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date tracking of proposals, deadlines, submissions, and renewals across Microsoft Excel, Raisers Edge, and Monday.com.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with P…