Development and Campaign Specialist

We exist so families can get better together. Each night, we keep 181 families close to the care and resources they need through six area Ronald McDonald Houses® and four Ronald McDonald Family Rooms®. Enabling families to stay close to their hospitalized child supports the health and well-being of the child and saves families more than $10 million in hotel and food costs each year. We also operate the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® program, providing medical care to children in underserved areas. Ronald McDonald House Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana is an independent not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

The Development & Campaign Specialist serves as an important member of the Ronald McDonald House Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Development team, providing critical support for capital campaign management, fundraising operations, donor engagement activities, and department administration. 

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and working closely with the two Directors of Development, this position provides operational support across the department, ensuring fundraising initiatives, campaign activities, donor engagement, stewardship, and development operations are executed efficiently and effectively. The Development & Campaign Specialist owns administrative processes, coordinates logistics and materials, maintains accurate records, and tracks priorities and commitments through completion. 

The successful candidate will be highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, anticipate needs, and exercise sound judgment while supporting fundraising goals and building strong relationships with donors, volunteers, and internal stakeholders. 

Essential Job Functions 

Capital Campaign & Fundraising Support 

• Support capital campaign operations, donor engagement, and fundraising initiatives, coordinating activities and follow-through in partnership with Development leadership. 
• Coordinate donor meetings, including scheduling, logistics, briefing materials, and follow-up. 
• Coordinate the preparation of donor proposals, presentations, documents, and correspondence using approved content and guidance from Development leadership. 
• Track fundraising progress, campaign timelines, milestones, and key performance indicators; maintain current information and flag delays or outstanding items. 
• Support campaign volunteer leadership and committee activities through meeting coordination, preparation of materials, communication, and tracking of action items. 
• Coordinate campaign-related tours, receptions, and other donor activities, including invitations, materials, logistics, and follow-up. 
• This position will require occasional evening or weekend work to support campaign meetings, donor activities, and events, as well as travel throughout the Chicagoland. 

Donor Engagement & Stewardship 

• Coordinate donor acknowledgment, recognition, and stewardship activities to support timely, consistent, and thoughtful donor engagement. 
• Support the maintenance of accurate donor and prospect records in the fundraising database, including engagement activity, solicitation status, commitments, recognition preferences, and next steps. 
• Provide responsive, professional support to donors, volunteers, and campaign partners, referring questions requiring additional judgment or authority to the appropriate team member. 
• Exercise discretion in handling confidential donor, financial, and organizational information. 

Administration & Project Coordination 

• Manage fundraising calendars and coordinate meeting preparation, agendas, materials, and follow-up action items. 
• Track project timelines, deliverables, and milestones; coordinate cross-department initiatives and communicate progress and emerging concerns. 
• Maintain internal systems, shared drives, standard operating procedures (SOPs), templates, and departmental documentation. 
• Oversee daily department administration, including supplies, special mailings, correspondence, and other operational support. 
• Prepare reports, dashboards, fundraising updates, presentations, and Board or committee materials. 
• Coordinate special projects and strategic initiatives led by the CDO and Directors of Development. 
• Identify and implement improvements to administrative workflows, documentation, and use of technology. 
• Manage assigned work independently, anticipate needs, and ensure priorities and decisions are carried through to completion. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned. 

Qualifications (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) 

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.  
• At least three years of experience in non-profit fundraising operations and administration, executive support, and/or project coordination. 
• Experience supporting a capital campaign, major gifts program, or fundraising committee. 
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and consistently meet deadlines. 
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to accurate records, materials, and reporting. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare polished correspondence and presentation materials. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and the ability to learn and use new technology effectively. 
• Experience with a donor database or customer relationship management system, Raiser’s Edge required. 
• Ability to work independently, anticipate needs, resolve routine issues, and recognize when to seek guidance. 
• Professionalism, discretion, and a collaborative approach to working with donors, volunteers, and colleagues. 

Positions scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Basic Life, Short-term, and long-term disability, voluntary employee/spouse/child life insurance
• Flexible Spending, Dependent Care, and Commuter Benefit Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k)
• PTO
• This position is annual bonus eligible with a bonus rate of up to 5%

At Ronald McDonald House Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, we believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, and we welcome and will consider applications for employment from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, individuals with disabilities, pregnancy, marital status, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable law.

Ronald McDonald House Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities as part of the application or hiring process or to perform the essential functions of their job. If you need assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise feel you need accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact [email protected]. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.