Status: Full Time Salaried Position
Salary: $50,000 plus health benefits
Location: Hybrid
Apply by Priority Deadline of August 15, 2025 - applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after this date, until hire is completed.
Earliest Start date: September 15, 2025
Reports to: CAD Executive Committee
ABOUT CAD
Founded in 2004 by artists, educators, and activists, Chicago Art Department (CAD) grew out of a need to create space for artists to thrive in Chicago, fostering a spirit of community, collaboration, and inclusion for all individuals working toward civic change.
Today, CAD is an artist-run, BIPOC-led nonprofit with a mission to provide space and resources for civically-minded artists to grow their practice while questioning the city we live in. CAD provides equitable and accessible opportunities for artistic development through subsidized Studio Residencies, and contemporary Exhibitions and Programs rooted in justice.
For 20 years CAD has advanced creative Chicago voices that otherwise might not be heard. Collectively founded in 2004 and located in Pilsen since 2005, CAD’s physical space features 11,000 square feet comprising two public galleries, private studio space for up to 20 artists, and community event areas. Over the last two decades CAD has worked with thousands of artists and hundreds of community partners.
POSITION OVERVIEW: DEVELOPMENT & EXTERNAL RELATIONS MANAGER
CAD seeks a creative, goal-oriented, and community-centric Development & External Relations Manager to work closely with CAD staff, Board, and Residents to diversify and lead fundraising initiatives while implementing creative approaches to broaden CAD’s community of support through events, marketing, and public relations.
With CAD’s support coming primarily from institutional grants, this role is expected to sustain and grow its portfolio of funders while working to diversify our revenue sources in opportunities for growth with individual giving, special events, and other creative approaches that leverage CAD’s mission and diverse community.
The ideal candidate is a self-starter, has related experience or an adaptable skill set to help the organization expand current and develop new fund development efforts for the organization. The Development & External Relations Manager will work independently and in collaboration with the CAD community to shape funding and visibility strategies for the sustainability and potential growth of Chicago Art Department.
RESPONSIBILITIES
DEVELOPMENT
-Work with CAD Programs Manager, Board, and Development Committee to develop and carry out fundraising plans that align CAD mission, values, and culture
-Manage CAD’s institutional funding portfolio, including writing letters of inquiry, grant proposal and report writing, deadline and deliverables tracking, budget development and spenddown reporting, and stewarding funders about our work and impact.
-Research funding prospects and strategize outreach to new funders.
-Manage Individual and Board Giving, including strategies for donor retention and stewardship to increase giving, recapturing lapsed donors, and attracting new donors to grow CAD’s annual fund.
-Design fundraising campaigns that align with CAD’s mission and need. This will include donor communications and solicitations, and individualized outreach to build relationships, coordinating with CAD staff, residents, and board as needed.
-Manage and grow the annual Crystal Ball fundraising event with help from an event committee (that you will recruit and oversee) and in coordination with CAD staff, residents, and board.
-Explore new and creative opportunities to build fundraising into CAD’s core events such as 2nd Fridays and exhibit programs.
-Secure volunteers for monthly 2nd fridays and assist with on-site event needs
-Draft and design periodic donor communications for stewardship, including an Annual Report.
-Lead monthly Development Committee meetings with an agenda, grant and giving updates, and engage committee members to support fundraising efforts.
-Adopt and utilize a fundraising CRM to maintain development records, send acknowledgements, generate reports for analysis and strategy development, among other needs requiring technology support (i.e. payment processing, event management, auction)
EXTERNAL RELATIONS AND MARKETING
-Cultivate new and existing relationships that complement CAD’s mission and programs, with opportunities to grow community, support, and CAD’s identity.
-Grow CAD’s visibility with earned media to include: drafting and distribution of press releases to attract press coverage; improving social media reach via content generation, strategic shares / tags, and attracting influencers; and creative approaches to generating word of mouth.
-Create and distribute monthly E-Newsletters to highlight CAD events, programs, residents, supporters, and special opportunities.
ADMINISTRATIVE & OPERATIONS (to be done in collaboration with CAD staff)
-Work with CAD staff & board committees to create annual organizational budget
-Liaise with CAD’s external bookkeeper to monitor CAD finances and financial reporting for grants and Board meetings.
-Work with CAD staff to develop agenda for bi-monthly Executive
-Committee meetings and Quarterly Board meetings
-Check and respond to CAD admin email
Experience and Qualifications
-2-4 years Development experience preferred
-Development experience is preferred - but other areas such as sales, marketing, and event management are valuable as well
-Superb writing, editing, and persuasive communication skills
-Interpersonal and entrepreneurial skills that support cultivating relationships and building community
-Proficiency with Google Suite and social media platforms
-General knowledge of Customer Relationship Management software and Quickbooks
-Fluency in English required, Spanish fluency a plus
-Independent worker based-in Chicago, comfortable with activating people, while implementing, and driving work, and nudging people too!
Compensation
-$50,000 with medical benefits, generous PTO, and remote work days available.
-Schedule: Flexible schedule for full time/35 hours per week; minimum of 2 nights per month (resident meetings & 2nd fridays) and occasional weekends for special programs
To apply for this position please submit form below.
Chicago Art Department is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.