Development Coordinator

Organizational Summary

Windy City Performing Arts (WCPA) is a non-profit umbrella for a growing family of choruses, currently consisting of Windy City Gay Chorus, Windy City Treble Quire, and Windy City Chamber Quire. The mission of the choruses is to sing to inspire change, celebrate diversity and honor the dignity of the LGBTQ+ community.

The Windy City choruses have a long history of performing major choral works, commissioning new pieces, and performing alongside local and national celebrities in acclaimed venues. In 2003, WCPA’s UNISON chorus performed the National Anthem for the Chicago White Sox “Out at the Ballgame” day, becoming the first LGBTQ chorus to sing the National Anthem at an Illinois professional sporting event. Singers have also performed with the Steppenwolf and Redmoon Theatre companies, at the opening ceremony of the modern wing of the Art Institute, and at Carnegie Hall as part of the Susan Komen Sing for the Cure project. More recently, singers have performed on stage with Hugh Jackman at the United Center, at Ravinia with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Marin Alsop, and as the National Anthem performers at Chicago Bulls games.

Position Summary

The Development Coordinator is responsible for leading the organization’s fundraising efforts. Reporting to the Board of Directors, this role requires fundraising through grant writing and research, fundraising event coordination and execution, and direct appeal/donor base engagement. The ideal candidate has experience fundraising within a nonprofit organization; familiarity with the Chicago fundraising and arts community is a plus. This is a part-time remote contract position open to applicants in the contiguous United States, with optional in-person opportunities for fundraising events and meetings

Key Responsibilities:

1. Fundraising & Development (90%):

• Lead and execute fundraising initiatives, including annual giving campaigns, special events, and individual donor relations in efforts to raise $75,000+ annually with support from the WCPA Board of Directors, Staff, and Volunteers
• Manage WCPA Donor Database and outreach
• Work with the Board to identify and cultivate new funding sources
• Write and submit grant applications and proposals, manage grant reporting and compliance
• Develop and maintain relationships with corporate sponsors and community partners

2. Marketing & Communications (10%):

• Collaborate with the Staff and Board to create email campaigns for giving appeals and fundraising events to publicize via WCPA’s website and social media

Qualifications:

• Experience in non-profit development; Chicago-area and/or Arts organization fundraising experience a plus
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and project management
• Experience fundraising via social media and digital marketing tools
• Grant writing skill set; experience with Illinois-based grants a plus
• Ability to work collaboratively with the board, staff, and volunteers
• A strong understanding of and commitment to the local LGBTQ+ community and the mission of the chorus

Compensation

• Compensation range: $1,000-1,500/month on contract basis based on applicable skills and experience, with opportunities for additional incentive-based compensation based on fundraising metrics

Next steps

• Learn more about us at WindyCitySings.org
• Apply here!