Job Title: Director of Development & Corporate Partnerships, Northwest Indiana

Reports to: Executive Director, Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana

Date: Winter 2025

Big Shoulders Fund

Big Shoulders Fund is an independent tax-exempt charitable organization that provides support to schools with demonstrated need which provide a quality, values-based education for children. We serve 25,000 students and 92 schools in the Chicago and Northwest Indiana regions. Each school is a vital community-based organization and an anchor to its surrounding neighborhoods.

For thirty-eight years, Big Shoulders Fund has helped Chicago’s children achieve their dreams through access to high quality education. Of the students we serve, 83% identify as people of color and 69% reside in low-income households. We expand access and outcomes by investing more than $40 million annually in scholarship support and enrichment programming for students; operational improvements for schools; cultivation of talent pipelines for school personnel from new teachers through veteran principals; and professional development support for educators and leaders – all with the goal of strengthening schools and whole communities, while preparing students for life-long success. To that end, 80% of scholars matriculate to college and students earn a degree at two times the national average. Latino and Black scholars graduate at three-times and four-times their counterparts, respectively, and graduates go on to vote, contribute, and participate at greater rates than local and national outcomes.

Big Shoulders Fund has earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s largest evaluator of nonprofits, for 18 consecutive years.

In 2019, Big Shoulders Fund began an exciting new chapter in Northwest Indiana by making a long-term commitment to The Region. Since then, we have brought our unique approach to building the capacity of local school communities to best serve students and families of Northwest Indiana, with focus on areas of greatest need: Gary, Hammond and East Chicago. The long-term goals of our efforts include elevating the quality of values-based schools in Northwest Indiana through: academic investments, instructional and data coaching; marketing and outreach efforts; and enrichment and summer programs to expand opportunities for students. While some roles on our staff focus exclusively on Northwest Indiana or Chicago, all Big Shoulders Fund team members contribute to the success of our work across both sites.

Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana supports over 6,000 students and 20 schools in the Catholic Diocese of Gary. Since expanding to the Region in 2019, we have provided scholarships, operational support, educational programs, and professional development for teachers and administrators aimed at improving academic outcomes.

In 2024, Big Shoulders Fund received a gift of $150 million to invest in initiatives that aim to improve the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Gary. This is the largest single investment in PreK-12 Catholic education in history, signifying strong support and belief in the efficacy of Indiana educational support systems, like the Indiana Choice Scholarship.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Development & Corporate Partnerships, Northwest Indiana plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission of Big Shoulders Fund in Northwest Indiana. Reporting to the Executive Director of Big Shoulders Fund, Northwest Indiana and collaborating closely with the Chief Advancement and Development Officer, the Director will develop and execute a comprehensive annual development plan focusing on corporate partnerships, individual donor cultivation, and stewardship. This position fosters donor relationships to support philanthropic goals of Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana.

The Director will help support and drive the vision for corporate partnerships, volunteer engagement, and donor stewardship for Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana, ensuring alignment with Big Shoulders Fund’s mission. The role requires a strong background in volunteer team and next generation board management, event planning, donor relations, supporter base growth, and strategic relationship cultivation. The Director will manage impact reporting, data analysis, and communications to enhance donor engagement and maximize philanthropic contributions. Attendance at frequent evening networking events is an essential component of the role.

This role represents a unique opportunity to drive impactful change in Northwest Indiana by building and sustaining relationships that support educational opportunities for underserved communities.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Corporate Partnerships

In partnership with the Executive Director, NWI and Chief Advancement Officer, develop and manage strategic partnerships with corporate entities in Northwest Indiana to advance organizational goals
Cultivate and steward relationships with existing corporate donors to enhance engagement and increase annual funding
Identify opportunities for growth, innovation, and improvement in corporate partnerships and workplace giving programs
Plan, coordinate, and execute corporate service days and volunteer opportunities and events, including scheduling, logistics, volunteer coordination, and event oversight and implementation

Volunteer Engagement and Board Support

Work with the Executive Director of NWI to recruit, support, and engage members of the Founders Advisory Council and Auxiliary Board
Oversee volunteer engagement initiatives, including service days, mentoring programs, stock market program, and other community engagement efforts
Create and execute volunteer opportunities that deepen supporter connections to the mission and foster long-term involvement
Track volunteer impact and develop targeted communication for supporters

Program Management and Cross-Department Collaboration

Work closely with cross-functional teams to enhance volunteer programming, event execution, and donor engagement strategies
Oversee and run the planning and execution of Northwest Indiana events including signature ones such as the “Fore the Region” NWI Golf Classic and Lend a Shoulder Day
Monitor and report on program effectiveness using data, metrics, and storytelling

Individual Donor Cultivation and Stewardship

In partnership with the Executive Director, NWI and Chief Advancement Officer, lead efforts to identify, cultivate, and steward individual donors through personalized experiences, acknowledgment, and impact reporting
Build a pipeline of potential donors and implement moves management strategies to increase contributions
Collaborate with the Executive Director, NWI to shape donor portfolios and steward prospects through cultivation, solicitation, and retention
Partner with the communications team to create impactful collateral for Northwest Indiana donor engagement
Leverage Salesforce and other tools to track, analyze, and present donor data to inform strategic decisions, while cultivating and stewarding partnerships

Other Duties

Serve as a member of Big Shoulders Fund’s Leadership Team
Demonstrate strength and skill in working with not only donors but also teachers, principals, students, and families from diverse cultural, economic, and ability backgrounds
Attend and support the facilitation of fundraising events, service days, and other programs in Northwest Indiana (and at times Chicago) that further the mission of Big Shoulders Fund through its outreach to donors and schools as needed
Work cooperatively with Big Shoulders Fund staff in Chicago and Northwest Indiana, and perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Advancement and Development Officer and the Executive Director of Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
Minimum of 8 years of experience in nonprofit development, with at least 2 years in team/volunteer management
Proven track record of success in donor cultivation, building corporate partnerships, and volunteer engagement
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to connect with diverse groups
Experience using Salesforce/similar CRM systems preferred
High level of cultural sensitivity and commitment to educational equity
Proven track record for growing donor/volunteer engagement and support
Availability for evening networking events, as well as occasional weekend commitments
High degree of responsibility, initiative, and professionalism
Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills
Commitment to excellence with strong organizational ability and exceptional attention to detail
Ability to work on several projects concurrently while meeting deadlines
Appreciation for the benefits of a Catholic education for students, families, and communities; familiarity with Catholic schools in Chicago and/or Northwest Indiana a plus
Strength in establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective working relationships
Ability/desire to work effectively within a team
Cultural sensitivity and ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups
Commitment to and passion for improving access to high-quality, values-based education options for all children

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

Actively contribute to organizational meetings, events, and initiatives
Support the mission of Big Shoulders Fund by engaging in fundraising events, service days, and community programs
Foster a culture of excellence, integrity, and collaboration

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization and the students/schools it serves

INTERESTED CANDIDATES: Please send resume and brief statement of interest to Abby Cohen at acohen@bigshouldersfund.org

Big Shoulders Fund

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Big Shoulders Fund | Director of Development and Corporate Partnerships, Northwest Indiana