Vice President, Advancement

We link high-potential Black students in Chicago to the path to, through, and beyond college. For Black students to become tomorrow’s leaders they must have access to educational resources and tools today.

LINK’s goal is to mitigate the effect of systemic and structural forces impeding Black students by improving and increasing educational opportunities and access. By equipping our Scholars with the knowledge, skills, resources, and social equity that further college completion and career placement, LINK is increasing the economic mobility and stability of Black students and cultivating a diverse leadership pipeline for our city.

Since 1966, we have successfully supported over 2,500 low- to moderate-income students. In the 2024-2025 academic year, we will serve 300+ Scholars (Jr. LINK, High School Fellowship, & Collegiate Scholars). Our Scholars represent more than 60 Chicagoland neighborhoods, with a focus on supporting ten South and West Side communities: Auburn Gresham, Austin, Bronzeville, Englewood, Garfield Park, Greater Grand Crossing, North Lawndale, Roseland, South Shore, and Washington Park.

Looking to make a difference by linking students to opportunities so they can take a new path—one that leads to their full potential and our city’s vibrant future? Then join our team!

Position Summary

The VP of Advancement is a pivotal role on LINK Unlimited Scholars’ leadership team, tasked with driving the organization to its next level of success. As LINK Unlimited Scholars approaches a period of significant growth, the VP of Advancement will be instrumental in developing and executing strategies that align with our long-term objectives. This role requires a creative and strategic thinker who can effectively translate our initiatives and goals into actionable plans for both the board and staff.

Working closely with the President & CEO, the VP of Advancement will implement a comprehensive donor communication and stewardship strategy, ensuring we have the resources necessary to achieve our mission and meet our strategic priorities.

Strategy & Vision

• Establish a state-of-the-art development program, positioning LINK Unlimited Scholars for long-term, sustainable success through strong and growing philanthropic support.
• Develop and implement a robust development strategy that encompasses foundations, major donors — other individual donors — corporations, special events, and government where possible.
• Articulate an inspiring vision and demonstrate an authentic commitment to organizational success.
• Create and implement a process by which a steady source of donor prospects are identified, researched, and qualified for the appropriate level of cultivation and solicitation, with the goal of creating a multi-year pipeline to sustain the organization for the future.
• In concert with the President & CEO, ensure LINK Unlimited is visible in the Chicago civic and philanthropic community (often by attending events to that raise awareness of LINK Unlimited Scholars and its work), promote LINK Unlimited Scholars’ presence in appropriate business and civic conversations, and attract donors and advocates to advance LINK Unlimited Scholars’ mission.

Team Cultivation, Leadership & Collaboration

• Nurture, motivate, and lead a growing team of committed development colleagues who are passionate about the mission of LINK Unlimited Scholars through goal-setting, mentorship, evaluation, and recognition.
• Manage the performance and professional development of the development team.
• Work in collaboration with the Communications team to deliver strategic messages to various individuals and stakeholder groups to increase their understanding of the organization’s identity and brand, strategic imperatives, and case for support.
• Build a productive working relationship with the President & CEO and other members of the Leadership Team, and provide them with timely advice and counsel in all development areas.
• Develop a strong bond with the organization, thoroughly understanding its history, distinct mission, values, and culture; its youth participants; operations; base of financial support; and the opportunities for involvement.
• Assist the President & CEO in managing relationships with current and former Board Members, identifying and recruiting new members, setting philanthropic goals for the Board, and participating in relevant committees.
• Collaborate and leverage relationships of the President & CEO, Board Members, and senior leaders — ensuring they are effectively supported in order to achieve fundraising goals.
• Lead the Board’s Development Committee, partnering with the Development Chair to oversee Board fundraising activities and ensure revenue goals are met.
• Build knowledge about and relationships with thought and philanthropic leaders to become conversant and competent within the civic landscape.
• Be a source of development knowledge and expertise for the organization.

Advancement Planning & Implementation

• Prepare the annual operational plan for development and fundraising, including the delineation of timetables, budgets, and strategies for accomplishing goals and objectives.
• Develop a master calendar of development activities and events — including 1-2 major fundraising events each fiscal year — and ensure proper planning, preparation, and follow-up.
• Prepare and ensure accurate fundraising reports that include all lines of revenue — monitoring monthly progress towards goals.
• Review and create clear policy guidelines for development, including processing and accounting, donor recognition, and stewardship.
• Stay on top of research industry trends and best practices in philanthropy and apply findings to inform and adapt fundraising strategies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required. Master’s or higher preferred.
• 10+ years of nonprofit work experience, preferably in college access or success or other related educational areas.
• A minimum of 5-7 years of development/fundraising experience.
• An ability to assess and implement successful identification strategies for new sources of support from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
  • Experience having cultivated partnerships with corporations and/or foundations to generate resources and/or revenue.
  • Experience with donor-centric approaches to resource development.
• An ability to build, manage, nurture, and evaluate strong teams with a track record of effectively leading a performance and outcome-based team.
  • A minimum of five (5) years:
    • Supervisory experience that has included full or part-time direct reports.
    • Budget development and monitoring experience.
• An ability to serve as a visible and effective leader — to recognize and nurture talent while building and retaining a successful team.
• An ability to foster an environment marked by creativity, commitment to professional growth, connectivity, collegiality, mutual respect, and cultural competency across the development function and beyond with an emphasis on equity.
• A proven record of converting strategy into effective execution.
• An ability to execute a development plan and evaluation of outcomes using a metrics-based approach;
• Experience establishing and meeting strategic goals.
• Knowledge of the latest innovations in fundraising techniques and philanthropy and an ability to translate those innovations and techniques into action.
• An ability to communicate on the power of philanthropy to diverse audiences, internally and externally;
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work with varied constituencies.
• Demonstrated experience working with electronic databases:
  • Salesforce Experience preferred.
  • Experience using Project Management platforms to manage goal progress (preferably Basecamp).
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to speak in public and engage all stakeholders (Scholars, Parents, Mentors, Volunteers, etc.).
• Excellent time management skills with proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently as well as on a team.
• Strong relationship and partnership cultivation skills to build rapport with existing and potential stakeholders.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, or similar software with the ability to learn new or updated software.

Characteristics

• Mission Driven: Exemplifies and COMMITTED to the LINK Unlimited Scholars’ mission, vision, and values and acts in accordance with all policies and procedures of the organization.
• Cheerful and welcoming demeanor.
• Strong work ethic.
• A self-starter, creative, and forward thinker.
• Must have the utmost integrity and an ability to process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.
• Exercises good judgment with an ability to manage situations with tact and discretion.

Work Schedule

Full-Time, Monday through Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm, but often requires upwards of 50 hours per week. Hybrid schedule: remotely twice a week (Mondays & Fridays) and in-office Tuesday through Thursday. Must also have flexibility to work a slightly later schedule and/or on a weekend to support development/fundraising related work and/or special events. LINK Unlimited Scholars is seeking a commitment of at least two years.

Compensation

Salary range $125k-140k; to be determined based on experience and skills. Full-time employees are eligible for health, dental, and vision insurance, Retirement, PTO days, 8 Holidays, and a holiday shut down from Christmas Eve through New-Year’s day.

To Apply

Submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to Dr. Toinette Gunn, President & CEO. Cover letters without salary requirements will not be considered.

LINK Unlimited Scholars is an equal opportunity employer.