SHALVA is seeking a growth-oriented leader with a proven track record of driving revenue growth through a diverse fundraising portfolio. They will be responsible for creating and executing a comprehensive annual development plan and departmental budget. Additionally, ensuring all financial goals are met through individual giving, major gifts, foundation support, corporate partnerships, and high-impact events is central to this role. As a key partner to the Executive Director and the Board of Directors, they will identify, engage, and solicit prospective donors, while providing professional leadership to committees and collaborating with lay leadership to achieve organizational milestones.

Critical to this role is the ability to cultivate and steward meaningful relationships with major donors, with a specific emphasis on engaging the Jewish community through both personal and virtual outreach. The Director should be eager to mentor, and capable of supervising the Assistant Director of Development and Development Associate, while also maintaining a collaborative spirit with the entire SHALVA staff team. The Development Director’s oversight will extend to the management of grant strategies and reporting, as well as ensuring the absolute integrity of donor records within the agency’s database.

Some specific requirements include:

• Demonstrated success across integrated fundraising streams, including a comprehensive background in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• A proven ability to lead and inspire, providing the dedicated mentorship and professional guidance necessary to cultivate high performing development professionals.

• Experience with donor databases and CRMs (e.g., DonorPerfect or comparable systems), including managing donor records, supporting fundraising operations, and ensuring accurate data tracking and reporting.

• Familiarity with the Jewish calendar and lifecycle, as well as Chicagoland Jewish community; however, one does not need to be Jewish be in the role.

• 7+ years’ experience in fundraising/philanthropy or a closely related field

• Bachelor’s degree required, CFRE Certification a plus

The compensation for this position was recently benchmarked by SHALVA and KEES, and it falls within the fair market range related to total and contributed revenue. The total compensation package includes a benefits package including (but not limited to) health insurance, 401(k) plan with employer match, PTO, and more. The salary for this role is + / - $130,000.

SHALVA is committed to equal employment opportunity for all qualified job candidates and employees and to maintaining a workplace free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, religion, color, gender (including gender identity, change of sex, and transgender status), sexual orientation, age, disability, pregnancy, childbirth, common conditions or limitations related to pregnancy or childbirth, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, 6 reproductive healthcare or gender-affirming care decisions, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law (each, a “Protected Characteristic”). SHALVA expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment or discrimination based on any of the characteristics mentioned above, and interference with the ability of other employees to perform their expected duties is not tolerated.

TO APPLY, PLEASE CLICK HERE: https://www.kees2success.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Opportunity-Guide-2026-SHALVA-Dev-Dir.pdf 

To assure confidential tracking of all applicants, no applications will be accepted via email. ALL INQUIRIES WILL BE HELD IN STRICT CONFIDENCE.

This search is being managed by Heather Eddy, President and CEO, and Haley Becerril, Project Manager of KEES. Questions may be addressed to hbecerril@kees2success.com. 

KEES (formerly Alford Executive Search) is a nonprofit executive search firm that builds diverse teams and dynamic leaders in the nonprofit and public entity sectors. A woman owned and operated firm, KEES offers a full array of nonprofit consulting services including executive search, leadership development, interim staffing, and HR support. For more information, please visit www.kees2success.com.

Founded in 1986, SHALVA is the oldest independent Jewish domestic abuse agency in the United States. An independent Illinois nonprofit (501c3), SHALVA provides confidential counseling, supportive services, referrals, and community education to help break the cycle of domestic abuse and promote safety, dignity, and healing for anyone in need. All SHALVA therapists are Illinois-Certified Domestic Violence Professionals and Certified Clinical Trauma Professionals, delivering high-quality, trauma-informed care. To learn more, please visit https://shalvacares.org/.