Description

About FOTP

Friends of the Parks (FOTP) inspires and mobilizes a diverse Chicago to ensure an equitable park system for health and well-being for all. For more than 50 years, FOTP has championed Chicago’s parks and open spaces. We work to preserve, protect, and expand green spaces so that every community can thrive. FOTP was born to fight against exclusion and give communities a real voice in their parks. 

Position Description

The Development Manager reports directly to the Executive Director and manages FOTP’s foundation, corporate, and individual fundraising strategies. The Development Manager plays a key role in advancing FOTP’s giving program by building meaningful relationships with foundation staff, individual donors, growing donor engagement, and strengthening the pipeline for future major gifts. The Development Manager plays a critical role at the intersection of relationship management, project execution, data oversight, and operational coordination. Some weekends and evenings may be required.

The following list of responsibilities will be prioritized according to a work plan established in collaboration with the Executive Director.

Foundation Coordination 

• Manage the grants calendar, and reporting requirements.
• Lead the prospect research, writing, and submission of proposals, letters of inquiry (LOI), and grant reports to foundations, ensuring adherence to deadlines.
• Produce comprehensive, compelling, and detailed proposals, grant applications and reports about the impact of FOTP’s programs.
• Cultivate relationships with foundation program officers.
• Develop and maintain external relationships to facilitate new opportunities and strengthen FOTP’s connections within the philanthropic community.
• Attend meetings and site visits with prospective and current funders as required; represent FOTP at external events and briefings where FOTP should have a voice.

Donor Cultivation and Management 

• Maintain donor records, fundraising databases, and tracking systems in our EveryAction database.
• Ensure proper recognition of institutional donors, including acknowledgments in newsletters, reports, and events.
• Support FOTP’s individual giving program, including donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Identify and cultivate new individual donor prospects while strengthening relationships with existing supporters.
• Provide support on fundraising events, donor cultivation events, and special campaigns.
• Collaborate with staff on fundraising appeals, donor communications, newsletters, impact reports, social media campaigns, and event promotion.
• Create fundraising materials, sponsorship packets, presentations, and other donor-facing collateral.
• Assist in developing strategies to diversify revenue sources and expand the organization’s fundraising capacity.
• Completes other tasks and assignments as requested.

Business and Corporate Support

• Identify corporate and small business funding opportunities.
• Develop and manage corporate sponsorships, employee giving programs, and philanthropic partnerships.

To Apply

Send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and sample marketing materials which you have solely produced to [email protected]. The subject line must include “Development Manager”. The deadline to apply is September 1, 2026 or until the position is filled. 

Requirements

Qualifications

• 3-plus years’ experience in nonprofit development and fundraising, corporate engagement, or relevant experience.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent work experience.
• Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising best practices and various forms of development solicitation practices, including events, corporate partnerships, cause marketing, and major gift solicitation.
• Grant writing and time management skills required.
• Ability to produce high-level, exciting, and interesting brand-driven content.
• Superior relationship-building and interpersonal skills to build trust with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage confidential matters with utmost integrity.
• Passion for FOTP’s mission.
• Self motivated person who is highly skilled at time and task management.
• Analytical skills to solve problems.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask and prioritize projects while working on a deadline or in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong team builder that strives in collaboration while taking initiative
• Proficient with Google and Microsoft Suite and EveryAction or comparable CRM system, preferred.