Benefits:
Competitive salary
Dental insurance
Flexible schedule
Health insurance
Opportunity for advancement
Training & development
Vision insurance
Reports to: Development Lead
Location: Chicago, IL (In-person, Hybrid, or as determined by organizational needs) FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt Salary Range: Full time: $80,000-$97,000, Part-time salary ($40,000 - $48,500)
Organizational Overview:
Life Is Work is a trans-led, people of color-centered nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of Transgender, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer+ (TLGBQ+) communities through advocacy, housing, health equity, workforce development, and community wellness. We operate with an unwavering commitment to equity, justice, and dignity, building systems of care that are accessible, trauma-informed, and rooted in lived experience.
Position Summary:
The Development coordinator supports the organization by implementing fundraising strategies, managing donor databases, planning events, and coordinating donor stewardship. They assist with grant proposals, event planning, and donor communication to secure financial resources. Key duties include researching prospects, drafting solicitations, and ensuring data accuracy
Key Responsibilities:
Fundraising Support
● Support individual, corporate, and foundation fundraising efforts through research, coordination, and follow up
● Assist with annual giving campaigns, sponsorship outreach, and donor engagement initiatives
● Prepare donor materials, including solicitation letters, proposals, acknowledgments, and stewardship communications
● Support board and leadership fundraising activities as assigned
Donor Database and Management
● Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records
● Process and track gifts, pledges, and in-kind contributions in accordance with LIW policies
● Generate donor reports, mailing lists, dashboards, and fundraising activity summaries
● Ensure timely and accurate gift acknowledgments and donor recognition
● Maintain confidentiality and data integrity at all times
Event Coordination
● Coordinate logistics for fundraising, donor, and community engagement events
● Lead event planning timelines, budgets, vendor coordination, and volunteer support
● Manage event registration, RSVP tracking, and attendee communications
● Execute events, including set up and tear down
● Lead post-event follow-up, donor thank you, and reporting
Stewardship and Donor Engagement
● Assist with donor stewardship activities to strengthen relationships and retention
● Coordinate donor recognition efforts, including thank you letters, reports, and events
● Respond to donor inquiries and requests in a timely and professional manner
● Support the development of donor engagement materials and impact reporting
Cross-Functional Collaboration
● Work closely with Marketing and Communications to support event promotion and donor communications
● Coordinate with Finance to ensure accurate reconciliation of donations and event revenue
● Collaborate with Program staff to gather stories, outcomes, and impact data for donor communications
● Provide administrative and project support to Development leadership as needed
Other Responsibilities
● Maintain awareness of fundraising best practices and nonprofit trends
● Support special projects and initiatives assigned
● Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
● Associates degree, bachelor's preferred and/or work-related experience
● Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
● Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail
● Ability to work collaboratively across departments
● Customer service-oriented mindset with a donor-centered approach
● Flexibility to support occasional evening or weekend events
● 2+ years of nonprofit experience in fund development, event planning, fundraising or related fields.
● Experience with donor databases and other tracking systems
● Demonstrated experience working with TLGBQ+ communities, especially Black and Brown trans individuals, people living with HIV, reentry populations, and survivors of gender-based violence.
● Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
● Lived experience is valued and encouraged in this role.
● Bilingual (Spanish/English) a plus.
Work Environment:
● This position operates in both office and community-based settings.
● Must be comfortable navigating high-trauma environments with sensitivity and compassion.
● Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required.
Compensation & Benefits:
● Competitive salary based on experience
● Health, dental, and vision insurance
● Paid time off and organizational holidays
● Professional development stipend
● Supportive, affirming team culture
Flexible work from home options available.