Director, Development & Community Engagement

The Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois is hiring their next Director, Development & Community Engagement.

01  |  POSITION AT A GLANCE

 

Location:	Springfield, Illinois
Reports To:	CEO & Executive Director

 

Employment:

Full-Time | Exempt | Benefits Eligible

 

Compensation:

$70,000 to $80,000 (commensurate with experience)

 

02  |  ABOUT THE ROLE

 
Debbie Thompson, owner and principal consultant of Always on Consulting, LLC is assisting the Board with this recruitment.

About this Position:   Reporting to the CEO & Executive Director, the Director, Development & Community Engagement is a key member of the leadership team, responsible for growing philanthropic support through donor cultivation, fundraising events and strategic partnership development. This position plays a key role in executing the annual resource development plan, managing a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation donors, and supporting the overall growth of private revenue.
 
The Director, Development & Community Engagement, works collaboratively with leadership, the Board of Directors, and volunteers to advance the mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs.
 
This is an opportunity for a passionate, relationship-driven fundraising professional who wants to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people in our community.
 

03  |  KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual, corporate, and foundation donors to meet annual fundraising goals.
• Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects with an emphasis on regular, personalized contact to deepen engagement and increase giving.
• Execute a comprehensive donor cultivation calendar, coordinating outreach, stewardship activities, and recognition for donors and prospects.
• Grow the annual giving program through direct mail campaigns, personal solicitations, and digital outreach strategies.
• Support the planning and implementation of major gift and planned giving solicitations in coordination with the CEO and Executive Director.
• Coordinate all donor acknowledgment communications including appeal letters, thank-you notes, and impact reports.

 

• Assist in planning and executing fundraising events and donor cultivation activities from concept through follow-up.
• Represent the organization at community events, networking functions, and meetings with potential donors and partners.
• Develop collaborative partnerships with local businesses, civic groups, and community organizations.
• Social media responsibilities as well as media outreach
• Develop and implement social media strategies across platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn, X, TikTok, etc.) aligned with overall marketing goals
• Create, curate, and schedule engaging content including copy, graphics, and video
• Build and maintain relationships with media contacts, journalists, and influencers for press coverage and partnership opportunities
• Draft and distribute press releases, media pitches, and communications materials
• Track, analyze, and report on social media KPIs and media coverage metrics
• Monitor brand mentions, trends, and competitor activity to inform strategy

 

• Contribute to the annual Resource Development Plan and budget development process.
• Track and report fundraising income; prepare variance reports and updates for leadership and the Board Development Committee.
• Maintain accurate donor records in the database; ensure data integrity and effective use of CRM tools.
• Monitor fundraising expenses and manage activities within established budget parameters.

 

• Support the CEO in positioning Board members to cultivate and solicit major gifts.
• Staff the Board Resource Development Committee; prepare materials, record minutes, and follow up on action items.
• Engage and support volunteers in stewardship and fundraising activities.

 

04  |  QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree required; CFRE a plus 3+ years of professional fundraising experience Proven track record in donor cultivation & solicitation Social media and media outreach experience strongly preferred Nonprofit or youth development background preferred

Skills & Abilities Excellent written & verbal communication Donor database / CRM proficiency Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Strong organizational & project management skills Ability to maintain donor confidentiality Proficiency with social media and media relations Valid driver’s license; local travel required

 

Why Join Our Team? ??  Mission-Driven Work Every dollar you raise directly supports programs that change the trajectory of young lives in our community. ??  Professional Growth Join a collaborative team with exposure to major gifts, events, grants, and board engagement. ??  Supportive Culture We invest in our people — offering competitive compensation, benefits, and a team that celebrates impact together.

 

05  |  HOW TO APPLY

 

We’d love to hear from you!  Please submit the following to Debbie Thompson at alwaysonconsulting@outlook.com no later than April 23, 2026: Cover letter describing your passion for development and marketing for youth development and relevant experience Current resume Two writing samples (donor communication and press release preferred) Two professional references All offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and verification of credentials. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

  This posting reflects the general nature of the position and is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities.