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POSITION SUMMARY

This is a nonprofit development position at an accredited higher education institution. Reporting to the Associate Director of Development, the Development & Engagement Coordinator supports Erikson's fundraising work across the full donor cycle -- from initial outreach and cultivation through stewardship and ongoing engagement. This is a hands-on generalist role that touches many parts of the development operation: helping donors feel connected to Erikson's mission, keeping fundraising activities running smoothly, and supporting the team across events, communications, and day-to-day relationship management. The coordinator will play a key role in supporting the annual fundraiser, Inspire Circle cultivation events, and donor stewardship activities. The role is a good fit for someone who is organized, people-oriented, comfortable with details, and eager to learn the full arc of nonprofit fundraising

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

Core Function 1: Donor Stewardship & Relationship Support

Support donor stewardship activities by coordinating acknowledgments, follow-up communications, stewardship tracking, and engagement touchpoints for donors, trustees, and partners.

Support prospect research by pulling together basic donor profiles, giving history, and relevant background to help the team prepare for outreach and fundraising conversations

Assist with preparation of donor briefings, guest lists, invitation lists, and background materials to support fundraising strategy and relationship management.

Partner with Development staff to support annual giving, donor cultivation, stewardship outreach, and fundraising follow-up activities.

Help ensure a high-touch and responsive donor experience through strong communication, organization, and attention to detail.

Core Function 2: Development Operations

Track and update donor data related to the annual fundraiser and other campaigns, ensuring records are current and accurate throughout the giving cycle.

Coordinate scheduling, logistics, RSVP tracking, and attendee management for Inspire Circle events, donor gatherings, and other development-related activities.

Provide administrative and operational support for fundraising efforts, including meeting coordination, calendar support, and follow-up management.

Assist with preparation of fundraising reports, stewardship updates, and development tracking materials for internal leadership and team meetings.

Maintain organized workflows, process documentation, and operational systems to support efficient execution across Development activities.

Core Function 3: Event Coordination & Fundraising Support

Support planning and execution of Inspire Circle gatherings, donor cultivation events, annual fundraiser activities, and other institutional engagement opportunities.

Coordinate event logistics including invitations, registration tracking, nametags, seating lists, vendor coordination, and attendee communications.

Partner with Development staff and external vendors to support smooth event execution and a strong guest experience.

Assist with fundraising coordination activities including stewardship follow-up, sponsorship tracking, and donor engagement logistics.

Proactively identify opportunities to improve event coordination processes, stewardship workflows, and operational efficiency across fundraising activities.

Handle post-event stewardship follow-up, including thank you outreach, attendance tracking, and record updates in Raiser's Edge.

Required Qualifications

3+ years of professional experience in development or a related field, with familiarity with donor lifecycle and fundraising workflows

Strong written communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, warm, and appropriate donor correspondence.

Experience with Mailchimp or a similar email marketing platform, including donor list segmentation and campaign support.

Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities at once.

Comfortable working with donor databases; Raiser's Edge experience is a plus but not required.

Ability to handle confidential donor information with discretion and good judgment.

Erikson is open to individual candidates from all backgrounds and experiences. Candidates should apply whether or not they feel that they meet all the requirements or qualifications for the position. We are looking forward to having exciting conversations with engaging candidates and will welcome your application.

About Erikson Institute

We are the premier early childhood development organization committed to ensuring that all children have equitable opportunities to realize their potential.

Erikson Institute’s graduate school uniquely prepares child development, education, and social work leaders to improve the lives of young children and their families. Our impact and influence are further amplified through our innovative academic programs, applied research, direct services in the community, advocacy, policy and leadership.

Erikson Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, family responsibilities, or any other classes protected by federal, state, or local laws. In addition, Erikson Institute provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws (including during the application or hiring process).

To learn more, please visit our web site at www.erikson.edu

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Development & Engagement Coordinator in Chicago, Illinois at Erikson Institute

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