About PAWS Chicago
When PAWS Chicago (PAWS) embarked on its journey in 1997, a promise was made to Chicago's homeless pets: PAWS would tirelessly strive to bring an end to the unnecessary killing of tens of thousands of helpless cats and dogs each year.
Since the first event outside the storefronts of Michigan Avenue, PAWS has relied on innovation and business practices to develop and scale their programs—like opening the city’s first high-volume spay/neuter clinic in 2000 and the Lincoln Park Adoption Center and the first cageless No Kill shelter in the Midwest in 2007—to raise awareness of their No Kill mission, address the underlying cause of overpopulation, and find loving families for homeless pets. The recently expanded, state-of-the-art Medical Center is the essential next step in the PAWS No Kill mission to save all treatable pets. Tripled in size after a multi-year construction project, PAWS can now treat thousands of sick and injured homeless animals who would not otherwise get a second chance.
PAWS’ goal is a No Kill Equilibrium, where the number of homeless and unwanted animals in Chicago is in balance with the community’s capacity to save, heal, and care for them. Everything PAWS does is with that mission in mind. The foundation of their No Kill Model is Community Engagement. PAWS knows that it is people who both create and solve the problems that pets face. PAWS’ role is working hand-in-hand with the community, keeping their finger on the pulse of what’s happening with homeless pets, staying nimble and responsive to address the evolving need, and inspiring and mobilizing animal lovers to take lifesaving action. PAWS Chicago’s No Kill pillars sit atop this foundation as the programs needed to directly impact animals: robust Prevention, Animal Health + Behavior, Adoption, and Volunteer programs are the necessary ingredients to reach and then sustain a No Kill Equilibrium, where every healthy and treatable pet not only survives but thrives!
PAWS' approach, centered on practical solutions, has spearheaded a remarkable 92.5% decrease in euthanasia citywide since its establishment in 1997 when more than 42,000 homeless pets were killed in Chicago. In the time since, PAWS has performed more than 300,000 spay/neuter surgeries, offered either for free or at a low cost for families who could not otherwise afford it. Over 79,000 pets have found loving homes, and an industry-leading 98% of the vulnerable animals entering PAWS' facilities are saved each year. These achievements, while outstanding, mark only the beginning of PAWS Chicago's ongoing and ambitious mission.
As PAWS looks ahead to the future, the organization’s focus is continuing to raise the standards in animal welfare by addressing the ever-evolving challenges faced by homeless pets. Recognizing that animals depend on each of us to be their advocates and protectors, PAWS Chicago vows to continue its unwavering commitment in 2023 and beyond.
MISSION STATEMENT
PAWS Chicago is on a mission to build “No Kill” communities - starting with Chicago - that respect and value the life of every cat and dog. This involves addressing and ending the issue of overpopulation of homeless animals through various solutions, practices, and educational initiatives. PAWS aims to not only save lives but to transform animal welfare by setting higher standards in the way animals are treated and developing a sustainable, solutions-based model.
PAWS’ VALUES IN ACTION
Respect for each and every life.
Community of people and organizations committed to helping homeless pets.
Innovation to constantly improve best practices and seek out new ideas and strategies to save more lives. To be a Learning Center that evolves and grows.
Pro-activity to solve difficult problems and to be prepared to offer emergency and crisis support.
Transparency that informs the public about the fate of homeless animals.
Education that raises awareness about the realities that homeless animals face in the community and across the nation, providing a forum for people to get involved in effecting change. Promotes and supports reasonable pet ownership.
Sustainability through financial management practices that maximize the impact and reach of our resources and ensure that PAWS Chicago will always be a resource for homeless animals.
Compassion towards all people and animals.
Position Summary
The Philanthropy Officer will serve as a key frontline fundraiser, responsible for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individual donors and family foundations with the capacity to make gifts of $10,000 and above. This position will drive growth in major and leadership giving, support campaign initiatives, and strengthen donor relationships through thoughtful engagement and stewardship. The Philanthropy Officer will co-manage the Emergency Fund alongside the Director of Philanthropy + Community Engagement, oversee naming opportunities ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, and partner with organizational leadership to secure transformative gifts. The successful candidate will bring a proven track record of increasing year-over-year giving, expertise in moves management, and the ability to execute strategic initiatives independently while working collaboratively within a small, founder-led nonprofit team.
Essential Job Functions
Individual Giving + Family Foundations
Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors and family foundations with the capacity to make gifts of $10,000 and above.
Develop and implement personalized cultivation and solicitation strategies to increase year-over-year giving per donor.
Prepare compelling proposals, stewardship reports, and other written materials for individual donors and family foundations.
Conduct donor research, including wealth screening and review of IRS Form 990s for family foundations, to inform strategy and outreach.
Campaigns + Special Initiatives
Support the Hawthorn Woods campaign by touring donors, preparing proposals, stewarding campaign gifts, and providing strategic support to leadership in securing major capital gifts.
Oversee and steward naming opportunities ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, maintaining an updated and accurate list of opportunities.
Provide board liaison support related to the Emergency Fund Council.
Donor Engagement + Stewardship
Implement and track moves management strategies across the donor lifecycle (cultivation, solicitation, stewardship).
Collaborate with the Director of Philanthropy + Community Engagement to manage and grow the Emergency Fund Council by planning and executing informational and motivational meeting content and providing thoughtful stewardship to strengthen donor loyalty.
Develop innovative donor interactions that do not depend on traditional budgets for travel, dining, or entertainment.
Ensure accurate and timely donor recognition, acknowledgments, and stewardship plans.
Collaboration + Administration
Maintain accurate records and donor tracking through Raiser's Edge.
Partner closely with colleagues across departments to ensure a coordinated donor experience.
Work collaboratively within a founder-led, entrepreneurial nonprofit environment while independently executing strategic initiatives.
Demonstrate a strong team mindset and apply project management skills to advance key development initiatives.
Qualifications
Minimum of five years in nonprofit development or comparable fundraising role; direct experience in annual fund and institutional giving preferred.
Proven track record in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts of $10,000+, with demonstrated year-over-year growth per donor.
Experience with moves management, proposal writing, donor reporting, and campaign support.
Experience with donor research, including wealth screenings.
Proficiency with donor databases; Raiser's Edge experience preferred.
Skilled communicator—written and verbal—with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly.
Strong project and team management skills; highly organized and detail-oriented.
Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends for donor events or campaign needs.
Creative problem solver with a growth mindset and collaborative spirit.
Strong attention to detail, hyper-organized, proactive planner, ability to manage multiple projects and complete tasks in a timely manner.
Strong project management and collaboration skills, able to prioritize appropriately, work collaboratively across departments, and manage up to VP to keep projects on track.
Knowledge of Chicago individual and institutional funders, research tools, and tactics.
Knowledgeable in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.).
Able to process, protect, and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.
Demonstrates growth mindset and ability to think creatively and problem solve; willing and eager to learn from others; takes an active role in one’s own professional development and stays informed of changes in the funding landscape; interested in researching and learning more about key stakeholders and prospects.
Commitment to animal welfare, the mission of PAWS Chicago, and helping the organization grow and serve more animals and pet owners in need.
Reporting Relationships
The Philanthropy Officer reports to the Director, Philanthropy + Community Engagement and has no direct reports.
Location
This position is based in Chicago, IL,and given the place-based nature of the organization and its multiple facilities, full-time work onsite and in the field is expected.
Compensation + Benefits
The salary range for this position is approximately $85,000-$105,000. PAWS Chicago offers a generous benefits package that includes:
Medical Insurance (eligible following 60 days of employment).
Voluntary Dental and Vision Insurance.
Basic and Voluntary Term Life and AD+D.
Voluntary Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance.
Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance options.
403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Time Off: Ten days of accrued PTO, Five days of sick leave, and Event Flex Days for each signature and athletic event.
Six Observed Holidays.
As a reflection of our firm’s commitment to equity and equal pay for all, Cooper Coleman requires that salary ranges or salary starting points be published for every search we conduct. The practice of not posting salaries perpetuates the gender and racial wage gap and discriminates against women, people of color, and other historically excluded populations by causing individuals to negotiate from a disadvantaged starting point.
Background Checks
Before sending your resume for this position, please read it over for accuracy. Cooper Coleman verifies its candidates' employment and academic credentials represented at the time of offer, and an offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a civil and criminal background check.
Submission Instructions
To apply, click the apply now button and complete the brief application. All expressions of interest must be made through this link.
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