About

• Description
• Reporting to the VP of Development, the Development Manager, Institutional & Donor Engagement plays a critical role in advancing The Cradle’s mission and long-term sustainability by securing and stewarding institutional funding while supporting individual donor engagement and core development operations. This role serves as the primary owner of the grants pipeline and will be responsible for identifying funding opportunities, crafting compelling proposals, and ensuring compliance with grant requirements. This new position is intentionally designed as a hybrid role to support The Cradle’s current scale and growth trajectory. The Development Manager will work closely with the VP of Development and will collaborate with colleagues across several departments, including Programs, Finance, and Marketing/Communications. The ideal candidate is a strong writer and strategist, relationship-oriented, highly organized, and has exceptional attention to detail.

• NOTE: To be considered for this position, all applicants are requested to submit a cover letter, and are required to upload a writing sample. Examples of writing samples are grant proposal excerpts, letter of inquiry or similar documents, where you were the sole or primary author. The document must not be more than 5 pages.
• Requirements
• Essential Functions

• Institutional Giving & Grant Management (75%)
• Work with the VP of Development to develop and execute annual institutional and corporate revenue goals.
• Manage the full lifecycle of institutional fundraising, including prospect identification, research, cultivation, proposal development, submission, reporting, and renewal.
• Own and maintain an accurate and up-to-date institutional pipeline, including projected and received revenue.
• Draft and submit compelling letters of inquiry, proposals, and reports aligned with funder priorities and outlining targeted engagement strategies.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for foundation and corporate funders, ensuring consistent communication and stewardship.
• Prepare funder briefings, talking points, and background materials for the CEO, VP of Development, and Board as needed.
• Coordinate with Finance to ensure restricted funds are tracked, reported, and aligned with grant requirements.
• Donor Relationship Management (20%)
• Manage a defined portfolio of individual donors and/or institutional prospects, with the goal of increasing engagement and long-term support.
• Support CEO- and VP-led donor cultivation through follow-up, stewardship touchpoints, and meeting preparation.
• Track moves management activity and donor interactions in the CRM.
• Identify donors with potential to transition into major gift portfolios.
• Development Operations & Cross-Training (5%)
• Serve as backup support for gift processing, reconciliation, CRM management, and reporting during staff absences or peak periods.
• Assist in revenue forecasting and projections related to institutional and donor funding.
• Support the refinement of development metrics, dashboards, and reporting tools.
• Minimum Requirements

The following requirements are necessary to perform the essential functions of the job

• Commitment to The Cradle’s mission, values, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Code of Ethics.
• 5-7+ years of progressive nonprofit development experience, with demonstrated success in institutional giving and proposal writing
• Strong track record of securing 6-7 figure foundation and corporate gifts, including general operating and/or multi-year support.
• Experience developing project budgets and aligning financial narratives with program goals.
• Deep knowledge of Chicagoland human/family services funders, as well as local and national foundation donors, government funding systems, and funding trends.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to various audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Proficiency with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge/NXT, Bloomerang, or comparable CRM systems (Preferred)
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and Adobe Acrobat. (Required).
• Flexibility to assist with other projects and duties as needed.
• Self-motivated, disciplined, and accountable, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• BA/BS degree in related field, or equivalent experience, consisting of 5-7 years progressive nonprofit development experience.
• Working Conditions
• This position requires a flexible schedule and the ability to occasionally work evenings and weekends as needed.
• This is a hybrid position based at The Cradle’s headquarters in Evanston, Illinois. A minimum of 2 days in the office is required.
• Physical Requirements
• Some heavy lifting may be required occasionally.

• Additional Requirements
• All staff are required to undergo a background check, fingerprinting, and medical exam to meet DCFS requirements.