Chief Development Officer

Position Summary

Primo Center seeks a visionary, resilient, and culturally responsive Chief Development Officer (CDO) responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive revenue generation plan that advances the mission and long-term sustainability of the organization. This is an onsite position.

ABOUT PRIMO CENTER

Primo Center’s mission is to empower families to become productive, responsible, and independent members of their community. Today, Primo Center, with an annual operating budget of $10 million, is a leader in providing family shelter and permanent supportive housing, integrated physical, dental, and mental health care, early childhood development, and supportive services to homeless families in Chicago.

Primo Center works in high-need communities across Chicago, operating facilities in Austin on Chicago’s west side, Englewood on the south side, and Hermosa on the northwest side.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy aligned with organizational goals.

• Work closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, senior leadership team, and other stakeholders on fundraising and external relations initiatives.

• Lead long-range development planning and revenue diversification efforts.

Fundraising & Revenue Development

• Oversee all fundraising activities including:

o Individual giving

o Major gifts

o Planned giving

o Corporate partnerships

o Foundation grants

o Government funding support

o Special events and campaigns

• Cultivate, solicit, and steward major donors capable of making transformational gifts.

• Build and maintain a robust donor pipeline and moves-management process.

• Monitor fundraising trends and opportunities within the nonprofit sector.

Board & Donor Relations

• Partner with the CEO and Board to strengthen fundraising capacity.

• Support Board members in donor cultivation and solicitation activities.

• Prepare fundraising reports and presentations for Board meetings and committees.

• Develop strategies to increase donor retention and engagement.

Marketing, Communications & Community Engagement

• Create and steward marketing and communications strategy ensuring the development of compelling fundraising materials and campaigns.

• Enhance organizational visibility through community partnerships and public relations activities.

• Serve as an ambassador for the organization with external stakeholders.

Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor the Development and Communications Associate.

• Foster a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

Grant Strategy & Compliance

• Oversee the preparation and submission of grant proposal development, reporting, and stewardship and ensure compliance with donor restrictions and reporting requirements.

• Track and analyze fundraising outcomes and ROI.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.

• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive nonprofit fundraising experience.

• Proven experience securing major gifts, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships.

• Demonstrated success managing multimillion-dollar fundraising portfolios.

Skills & Competencies

• Genuine passion for the mission, and the community Primo Center serves.

• Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.

• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen.

• Experience with donor management systems and fundraising analytics.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and mission-driven service.

Reporting Relationship

Reports to the Chief Executive Officer; works closely with the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors.

Physical Requirements

To ensure effective on-site leadership and employee support, this role requires the ability to:

• Lift and carry up to 25 lbs (e.g., supplies, marketing materials, donations)

• Stand, walk, bend, sit for extended periods of time

Compensation and Benefits

Salary: $150,000–$160,000 (exempt, full-time) Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision

• Domestic Partner & Family Coverage

• 401(k) matching, Flexible Spending Accounts

• Paid Time Off, Wellness Days, Paid Holidays

• Life/AD&D Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, mileage reimbursement

• Voluntary AFLAC plans

Primo Center is an equal opportunity employer. The agency does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age disability, veteran or military status or any other protected status in accordance with federal and state law.