Development Coordinator

Pay rate Details:

Contractor position | $25-30 per hour commensurate based on experience

Hours per week: 15-20hrs per week during TFD’s operational hours: Wed-Friday 9am-4pm (please note we are open to providing a flexible schedule and can co-create what this looks like.)

Chicagoland-based virtual position with in person networking, training, and site visits required.

Job Summary

The Development Coordinator will provide leadership, partnership, and management for TFD’s sustainable growth. This includes the key areas of financial planning, community-centric fundraising, and team development. First, the Development Coordinator will focus on resource generation and building strategic relationships with our community. They will implement the diverse revenue plan recently designed in collaboration with local businesses, partners, and staff. Building a resilient revenue model into TFD’s programming will enhance our diversified funding model and make sustainable financial planning possible. Second, the Development Coordinator will help document and communicate TFD’s program work and impact to stakeholders, and cultivate healthy relationships with community stakeholders and funders. This increases positive messaging around community engagement, and ultimately builds long-term momentum for strategic collaboration with community partners. In 2024, the goal is to increase annual revenue generated by $100,000 from previous year’s revenue. 

Duties & Responsibilities

Diverse Revenue Generation

  • Implement the already-designed diverse revenue plan and incorporate it into TFD programming and workflow

  • Lead grant management efforts by drafting letters and applications, coordinating input from Executive Director and other staff, managing due dates of applications and reports, and submitting applications and reports to funders

  • Spearhead relationship building with potential sponsors, collaborators, and community partners on revenue generation projects

  • Explore relationships with potential clients for creative partnerships

  • Project manage revenue generation projects, with support from Executive Director

  • Further TFD’s diverse revenue generation impact by researching new funding opportunities that align with TFD’s values and budget needs

  • Co-create and Develop our Fundraising Committee

Communication of TFD’s impact

  • Proactively manage relationships with key external stakeholders and funders, in collaboration with Executive Director, by managing an up-to-date calendar of key dates such as funding application/report dates, holidays, and other key annual rhythms

  • Build healthy relationships with community stakeholders, business and financial partners, and funders by collaborating with TFD team members on regular online communications and in-person events that highlight TFD’s impact. This includes local and national partnerships.

  • Co-create quarterly fundraising campaigns in coordination with program and funding needs

  • Collaborate with marketing team to design communications campaigns that are aligned with TFD development goals, program goals, and organizational values

Skills and Abilities

  • Strong written and verbal storytelling skills that are asset-based

  • Enthusiasm and commitment to the organizational mission and strategic direction

  • Strong organizational and leadership skills

  • Creative problem-solving attitude and skills

  • Proven ability to organize, lead, and communicate with staff and volunteers to successful outcomes

  • Solid work ethic, personal integrity, and high professional standards, including an appreciation for maintaining personal and confidential information 

  • Implement Community-centric fundraising strategies

    Other Details:

    • Location: Must be located in Chicagoland. Virtual with in person networking, relationship building, training, and site visits that are required.

    • Hours: The Firehouse Dream office hours (Wednesday-Friday 9am-4pm), there is flexibility around when hours can be completed.

    • Culture alignment: Passion to engage with young adults ages 13-22. Cultural competency and consciousness is very important as we value elevating and centering BIPOC voices. Asset-based mindset with communities that face inequities and challenges due to systemic racism.

    • Experience: 1-2 years of Grant writing and/or fundraising experience is required. While non profit and/or creative experience is desired, we are willing to train the right person. Ultimately character, and passion for our mission/vision, and willingness to learn matters most to us.

    Instructions:

    Candidates should submit their resume and answers questions to:

    jasmine@thefirehousedream.org with the subject line: Development Coordinator Application.

    In lieu of a standard cover letter, please answer the following questions (150 words max

    for each question) or you can submit a 2-3 video. As a creative arts organization, we value creative expression.

    ● What does it mean to you to be a co-creator?

    ● Why are you interested in this role and our organization?

    ● How has your lived experiences/story helped shape who you are today as a leader?

    ● Tell us a bit more about your fundraising experience and approach.

The Firehouse Dream is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status. The Firehouse Dream is also committed to complying with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

A special thanks to our Grant partners: