Director of Individual Giving
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Chicago, IL, United States
We are CR!
Called here by a unique mission, a foundation in Jesuit education, and the opportunity to be part of an inspiring and nurturing community, the faculty and staff define the day to day experience at Cristo Rey, enabling our students’ learning and success. Cristo Rey supports employees at all life stages as long-term members of the school family, and invests in opportunities that allow them to bring leading-edge practices into every classroom. Faculty can flourish through flexible instructional models and curriculum development. Cristo Rey is located in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago’s lower west side—a vibrant, energetic community, steeped in Latino culture.
Benefits we offer:
Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision plans
Life & Disability Insurance
401k plan with matching contributions
Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Competitive compensation benchmarked against like schools
Tuition assistance opportunities for continuing education
Paid holidays, accrued vacation, paid time off
Professional Development and Adult Faith Formation
Free on-site parking and on-site fitness center
And many more!
Our Mission Founded in 1996, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School provides a Catholic, college preparatory education and professional work experience to students from Spanish speaking families with limited financial means.
Our Vision Cristo Rey advances the human and intellectual capacities, as well as the religious and cultural heritage, of the immigrant families we serve. Through our Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP), faith-based college preparatory education, and Spanish heritage language curriculum, our goal is to prepare students to succeed in college and to assume leadership roles in the civic, religious, business, and cultural life of our city and nation. As committed alumni of a Jesuit high school, graduates become men and women for others who are open to growth, religious, intellectually competent, loving, committed to justice, and work experienced.
Our Model To make the school both affordable and sustainable, Cristo Rey pioneered the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) model for education that has inspired a national network of 40 schools serving low-income communities across the country. The CWSP enables students to earn a portion of their annual tuition by working one day per week for a corporation in the Chicago area - making a quality, college preparatory education possible for students who could not otherwise afford it.
Position:
Director of Individual Giving
Location:
Chicago, IL
Job Id:
197
# of Openings:
1
Job Title:
Director of Individual Giving
Classification:
Exempt
Department:
Advancement
Schedule:
Year-Round
Reports to:
Vice President of Advancement
Position Overview
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School seeks a mission-driven and relationship-oriented Director of Individual Giving to serve as a front-line fundraiser and key member of the Advancement team. This role is responsible for the identification, cultivation, personal solicitation, and stewardship of individual donors, with a focus on growing annual and leadership-level annual giving. The Director of Individual Giving manages a dynamic donor portfolio, builds meaningful relationships, and works collaboratively across the school to align philanthropic interests with institutional priorities.
The ideal candidate is an experienced fundraiser who is comfortable personally asking for gifts, enjoys relationship-based work, and is energized by the opportunity to help grow Cristo Rey’s individual giving program during a period of continued momentum and impact.
As the school approaches its 30th anniversary, this role offers a meaningful opportunity to build authentic donor relationships, contribute to a growing culture of philanthropy, and directly impact students’ lives through the power of generosity.
Primary Responsibilities
Individual Giving & Donor Relationships
Manage a portfolio of approximately 125–150 individual donors, including annual and leadership-level annual giving prospects.
Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, conducting face-to-face meetings and tailored outreach to build strong, lasting relationships.
Develop and execute individualized strategies to retain donors, increase giving levels, and strengthen long-term engagement.
Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Vice President of Advancement in shaping individual giving strategies and priorities.
Collaborate with Advancement colleagues, school leadership, and board members to advance fundraising goals and philanthropic participation.
Work across departments to align donor interests with Cristo Rey’s programs, priorities, and funding needs.
Advance the mission of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School by cultivating relationships and serving as a visible community ambassador.
Engagement & Events
Actively participate in the planning and execution of Advancement events and donor engagement opportunities, including alumni activities, cultivation events, and the VIVA! Gala.
Support efforts to grow alumni engagement and alumni giving in collaboration with Advancement and Communications colleagues.
Stewardship, Systems & Best Practices
Ensure timely, thoughtful, and consistent donor stewardship that reflects Cristo Rey’s mission and values.
Accurately track donor interactions, solicitations, and stewardship activities in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT.
Apply current trends and best practices in philanthropy while maintaining strong fundraising fundamentals.
Qualifications
Required
5+ years of active fundraising solicitation experience
Demonstrated success personally soliciting and closing gifts from individual donors
Proven experience managing a donor portfolio and moving donors toward increased engagement and giving
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Excellent relationship-building, organizational, and time-management skills
Ability to work independently while maintaining consistent communication with colleagues and leadership
Commitment to and enthusiasm for the mission of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
Valid driver’s license
Preferred
Exposure to leadership-level annual giving or early-stage major gifts
Experience in education or other mission-driven organizations
Experience working with board members or volunteer leaders
Thank you for your interest in employment at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. Cristo Rey is committed to diversity, open and honest hiring practices, justice in compensation and benefits, treating each person with respect and dignity, providing appropriate assistance in each person’s growth and spiritual development, and acting as a just steward of the resources entrusted to us.
In accordance with the regulations of the State of Illinois and the Archdiocese of Chicago, Cristo Rey conducts background checks on all employees, contractors and volunteers. In accordance with the regulations of the State of Illinois, all new employees will also be required to submit fingerprints.
Cristo Rey provides equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, ethnicity, ancestry, military status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, veteran status or any other classification protected by applicable law.
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Benefits we offer:
Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision plans
Life & Disability Insurance
401k plan with matching contributions
Robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Competitive compensation benchmarked against like schools
Tuition assistance opportunities for continuing education
Paid holidays, accrued vacation, paid time off
Professional Development and Adult Faith Formation
Free on-site parking and on-site fitness center
And many more!
Our Mission Founded in 1996, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School provides a Catholic, college preparatory education and professional work experience to students from Spanish speaking families with limited financial means.
Our Vision Cristo Rey advances the human and intellectual capacities, as well as the religious and cultural heritage, of the immigrant families we serve. Through our Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP), faith-based college preparatory education, and Spanish heritage language curriculum, our goal is to prepare students to succeed in college and to assume leadership roles in the civic, religious, business, and cultural life of our city and nation. As committed alumni of a Jesuit high school, graduates become men and women for others who are open to growth, religious, intellectually competent, loving, committed to justice, and work experienced.
Our Model To make the school both affordable and sustainable, Cristo Rey pioneered the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) model for education that has inspired a national network of 40 schools serving low-income communities across the country. The CWSP enables students to earn a portion of their annual tuition by working one day per week for a corporation in the Chicago area - making a quality, college preparatory education possible for students who could not otherwise afford it.
Position:
Director of Individual Giving
Location:
Chicago, IL
Job Id:
197
# of Openings:
1
Job Title:
Director of Individual Giving
Classification:
Exempt
Department:
Advancement
Schedule:
Year-Round
Reports to:
Vice President of Advancement
Position Overview
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School seeks a mission-driven and relationship-oriented Director of Individual Giving to serve as a front-line fundraiser and key member of the Advancement team. This role is responsible for the identification, cultivation, personal solicitation, and stewardship of individual donors, with a focus on growing annual and leadership-level annual giving. The Director of Individual Giving manages a dynamic donor portfolio, builds meaningful relationships, and works collaboratively across the school to align philanthropic interests with institutional priorities.
The ideal candidate is an experienced fundraiser who is comfortable personally asking for gifts, enjoys relationship-based work, and is energized by the opportunity to help grow Cristo Rey’s individual giving program during a period of continued momentum and impact.
As the school approaches its 30th anniversary, this role offers a meaningful opportunity to build authentic donor relationships, contribute to a growing culture of philanthropy, and directly impact students’ lives through the power of generosity.
Primary Responsibilities
Individual Giving & Donor Relationships
Manage a portfolio of approximately 125–150 individual donors, including annual and leadership-level annual giving prospects.
Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, conducting face-to-face meetings and tailored outreach to build strong, lasting relationships.
Develop and execute individualized strategies to retain donors, increase giving levels, and strengthen long-term engagement.
Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Vice President of Advancement in shaping individual giving strategies and priorities.
Collaborate with Advancement colleagues, school leadership, and board members to advance fundraising goals and philanthropic participation.
Work across departments to align donor interests with Cristo Rey’s programs, priorities, and funding needs.
Advance the mission of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School by cultivating relationships and serving as a visible community ambassador.
Engagement & Events
Actively participate in the planning and execution of Advancement events and donor engagement opportunities, including alumni activities, cultivation events, and the VIVA! Gala.
Support efforts to grow alumni engagement and alumni giving in collaboration with Advancement and Communications colleagues.
Stewardship, Systems & Best Practices
Ensure timely, thoughtful, and consistent donor stewardship that reflects Cristo Rey’s mission and values.
Accurately track donor interactions, solicitations, and stewardship activities in Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT.
Apply current trends and best practices in philanthropy while maintaining strong fundraising fundamentals.
Qualifications
Required
5+ years of active fundraising solicitation experience
Demonstrated success personally soliciting and closing gifts from individual donors
Proven experience managing a donor portfolio and moving donors toward increased engagement and giving
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Excellent relationship-building, organizational, and time-management skills
Ability to work independently while maintaining consistent communication with colleagues and leadership
Commitment to and enthusiasm for the mission of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School
Valid driver’s license
Preferred
Exposure to leadership-level annual giving or early-stage major gifts
Experience in education or other mission-driven organizations
Experience working with board members or volunteer leaders
Thank you for your interest in employment at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. Cristo Rey is committed to diversity, open and honest hiring practices, justice in compensation and benefits, treating each person with respect and dignity, providing appropriate assistance in each person’s growth and spiritual development, and acting as a just steward of the resources entrusted to us.
In accordance with the regulations of the State of Illinois and the Archdiocese of Chicago, Cristo Rey conducts background checks on all employees, contractors and volunteers. In accordance with the regulations of the State of Illinois, all new employees will also be required to submit fingerprints.
Cristo Rey provides equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, ethnicity, ancestry, military status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, veteran status or any other classification protected by applicable law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr