Organization:

For over 100 years, the Better Government Association has been the only non-profit holding power to account through investigative and solutions-focused journalism and advocating for action that creates a better Illinois for all.

We accomplish this in three ways:

• The Illinois Answers Project, our Pulitzer Prize-winning newsroom, exposes systemic failures and elevates the stories that matter most.
• BGA Policy transforms findings into legislation and reform through rigorous research and coalition-building. 
• Our Community Engagement team works with residents, local leaders and advocates to dismantle systemic barriers across Illinois.

With philanthropic contributions accounting for nearly 98% of the budget, partners and supporters ensure the full scope of this critical work.

Role Description:

The Senior Manager, Institutional & Individual Giving is a key member of the development team, responsible for managing and advancing institutional fundraising while also supporting the organization’s mid-level donor and annual fund efforts.

This role builds on BGA’s institutional giving function and expands its integration across the organization. It requires someone who can manage foundation relationships and grant processes while contributing to individual giving programs that strengthen the BGA’s long-term revenue pipeline.

This is a highly collaborative role that partners closely with the VP of Development and colleagues across the newsroom, policy, and audience teams to align funding opportunities with programmatic priorities and support the successful delivery of funder commitments. 

Institutional Giving & Strategic Partnerships (Primary Focus, 80%)

• Initiate, implement and coordinate all grant-related strategies and activities, including creating and maintaining a comprehensive grants schedule, developing proposals and reports, and supporting grants administration
• Implement strategies to strengthen relationships with foundations and select corporate funders
• Manage a portfolio of institutional funders, including cultivation, proposal development, reporting, and stewardship
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders across the newsroom, policy, and engagement teams to develop accurate, timely, and compelling submissions to current and prospective funders
• Lead coordination of funder deliverables across departments in partnership with program and development leadership, ensuring alignment between grant commitments and execution by facilitating regular cross-team check-ins and partnering with Audience and the Engagement & Events Specialist on funder-aligned events, convenings, and engagement initiatives
• Ensure consistent, accurate and compelling representation of BGA’s work in all funder-facing materials
• Support and at times contribute to broader development campaigns and initiatives, including identifying opportunities to align institutional funding with individual giving and engagement strategies, i.e. NewsMatch

Mid-Level Individual Giving Program (15%)

• Support and execute BGA’s Leadership Circle mid-level donor program, strengthening donor retention, engagement, and pipeline development
• Manage a portfolio of mid-level donors and prospects, executing a consistent cadence of outreach, stewardship, and cultivation
• Collaborate with the VP of Development to support strategies that upgrade mid-level donors into major gift portfolios
• Track donor activity and engagement in partnership with the Development Operations & Data Manager

Annual Fund (5%)

• Support the planning and execution of BGA’s annual fund program by collaborating with the VP of Development on annual fund strategy and campaign planning and drafting appeal letters and email content for digital and print appeals
• Partner with the Development Operations & Data Manager on segmentation, list management, and performance tracking for annual fund campaigns

Additional Support

• Work with the VP of Development and the team to prepare and report on fiscal year budgets, and track and update pipeline and probability calculations for forecasting and budgeting.
• Serve as a primary liaison to the Board Development Committee, supporting board-driven individual giving and prospecting efforts, including coordination of outreach, preparation of materials, and tracking of engagement in partnership with the VP of Development
• Contribute to a collaborative, high-performing team environment
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

While preference will be given to candidates who meet all listed qualifications, we encourage applicants who possess a strong combination of relevant skills and experience to apply.

• 7+ years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, with demonstrated success in institutional giving and individual donor development
• Required experience working in journalism, media, public policy, or civic-focused organizations, including work with or alongside newsrooms, civic or advocacy organizations
• Must have working knowledge of the Chicago philanthropic funding community
• Strong writing and storytelling skills, with experience crafting compelling grant proposals and donor communications
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across teams and translate programmatic work into fundable opportunities
• Understanding of donor lifecycle and fundraising best practices, particularly for institutional and mid-level giving
• Experience working with CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge or comparable platforms
• Experience managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong project management, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams, manage competing priorities, and operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Commitment to the BGA’s mission and to advancing transparency, accountability, and public interest journalism

Compensation and Benefits

This role is a full-time position with a salary of $90,000. Benefits include health and dental insurance, vision benefits, a comprehensive paid time-off package, a commuter spending plan, a 401 (k) retirement plan, remote work opportunities, and more.

Work Location

BGA staff work remotely three days a week and from the office the remainder of the time. Each employee receives a BGA laptop and a $50 monthly stipend toward cell phone expenses.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion

The BGA is committed to providing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all employees, regardless of gender, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, or disability, feel valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities across our departments, programs, and policies. We’re committed to cultivating and upholding a culture of inclusion and connectedness for all employees. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and actively work to ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter via this link by Monday, June 1st, outlining your interest in the BGA and how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities of this role.

We will begin reviewing submissions immediately and consider applicants while the posting remains on our website. Candidates selected for an interview will be notified via email. Please note that incomplete submissions will not be considered.

We look forward to reviewing your materials. Thank you!