Skip to Main Content
GiGi's Playhouse Inc.
Log in
National Development/Fundraising Associate
Show Map
- Location2350 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL, 60169, United States
- Base Pay$55,000.00 - $65,000.00 / Year
- Employee TypeFull Time Exempt
- Manage OthersNo
- Minimum Experience2 Years
Contact information
- NameFranco Gianni
- Emailcareers@gigisplayhouse.org
Description
National Development Associate
Location: 2350 W Higgins Rd, Hoffman Estates IL, 60610
Reports To: Sr. Director of Development
About GiGi's Playhouse: Located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, GiGi's Playhouse was founded in 2003 by a mother who wanted a place for her daughter, GiGi, and other individuals with Down syndrome who could realize their dreams. Twenty-one years later, we are growing across North America and have 62 locations and multiple openings each year. We expect to grow about 20% annually for the next three years. We provide free, life-changing therapeutic, educational, and career training programs, providing 400,000+ hours of programming in 2025 to individuals of all ages. Visit www.gigisplayhouse.org.
With a commitment to fostering a culture of acceptance and empowerment, GiGi's Playhouse provides resources, support, advocacy, and a lifetime commitment to individuals with Down syndrome and their families in North America and globally, while promoting a global message of acceptance for all.
GiGi’s Playhouse Core Values
GiGi’s challenges all staff and volunteers to embody the following core values:
- Enthusiasm: Bringing positive, high energy to your work.
- Best of All: We are always looking to improve in everything we do. Challenge yourself every day to embrace a Generation G life.
- Get It Done: Making things happen and blasting through barriers when needed. Figure it out together.
- Believe: Believe in ourselves, believe in our mission, believe in each other, and believe in the history that brought us here.
- Locally Concerned, Enterprise Minded: We collaborate, share best practices, and leverage the collective learnings from across the GiGi’s network.
Position Overview
The Development Associate plays a vital role in advancing GiGi’s Playhouse’s fundraising efforts by supporting donor relationships, stewardship, fundraising events, and day-to-day development operations. Working closely with the national Development team, this individual will help create exceptional experiences for donors while ensuring fundraising initiatives are executed with excellence.
This is a highly collaborative, relationship-focused role ideal for someone who enjoys interacting with people, organizing projects, and supporting mission-driven work. From coordinating donor mailings and stewardship efforts to assisting with sponsorship outreach and fundraising events, this position directly contributes to the growth and sustainability of GiGi’s Playhouse
While experience with Salesforce or other CRM platforms is beneficial, this position is far more focused on building relationships, coordinating fundraising activities, and helping deliver an outstanding donor experience than on technical database management.
This position is primarily in-person at our National Office in Hoffman Estates, with opportunities for a hybrid schedule. As GiGi’s Playhouse continues to expand nationally, this role offers tremendous opportunities for professional growth and advancement within the organization.
Key Responsibilities
Donor Stewardship & Outreach
- Assist in creating exceptional donor experiences through personalized stewardship, thank-you calls, handwritten notes, emails, and recognition efforts.
- Coordinate donor appreciation gifts, stewardship packages, and personalized outreach materials.
- Support ongoing relationship management for individual, corporate, and foundation supporters.
- Assist in preparing donor meeting materials, presentations, and leave-behind packets.
- Help ensure every donor interaction reflects the mission and values of GiGi’s Playhouse.
- Work alongside interns and GiGi Gianni, our organization's namesake and a self-advocate with Down syndrome, to create meaningful stewardship opportunities through personalized donor outreach, relationship-building, and mission-centered engagement.
Development Operations
- Assist in coordination of donor mailings from beginning to end, including gathering stories, printing materials, assembling mailings, and ensuring timely delivery
- Support gift processing and acknowledgement workflows alongside the Stewardship Manager and Finance Team
- Assist with development calendars, fundraising timelines, and project coordination
- Maintain organized records and assist with routine administrative functions supporting the Development team.
Events, Sponsorship & Community Engagement
- Support planning and execution of national fundraising events, including logistics, registration, sponsor fulfillment, and donor communications.
- Assist in identifying local sponsors, vendors, auction partners, and community supporters for fundraising initiatives.
- Coordinate sponsorship materials and assist with sponsor recognition throughout events.
- Work alongside the Development team to cultivate meaningful community partnerships.
- Help create memorable donor experiences before, during, and after fundraising events.
CRM & Data Support
- Maintain accurate donor records and interaction notes within Salesforce
- Utilize Sales force to support stewardship efforts, donor communication, and event management.
- Assist with basic reporting, mailings lists and campaign preparation
- Learn best practices for donor management and CRM utilization
Other Responsibilities Include
- Review and improve our acknowledgment letter process alongside Stewardship Manager
- Collaborate with finance to process donations accurately and on time. Support our fundraising events
- Conduct research in identifying new fundraising opportunities
Qualifications
- Bachelors degree or equivalent professional experience
- 2-4 years of experience in fundraising customer relations, nonprofit development, events coordination, hospitality or project management
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
- Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail
- Comfortable managing multiple priorities in face-paced environment
- Passion for relationship building and delivering exceptional donor experiences.
- Commitment to the mission of GiGi’s Playhouse and creating a more accepting world
Preferred Skills (Not Required)
- Experience coordinating events or fundraising initiatives.
- Experience working directly with donors, customers, volunteers, or community partners.
- Familiarity with Salesforce or other CRM platforms.
- Experience coordinating projects and mailings.
- Strong Microsoft Office and Google Workspace skills.
Why This Role Matters
The Development Associate helps bring the GiGi’s Playhouse mission to life by creating meaningful experiences for the people who make our work possible. Whether coordinating a donor mailing, welcoming sponsors at an event, organizing stewardship efforts, or supporting fundraising campaigns, this role helps strengthen relationships that fuel our mission.
As GiGi’s Playhouse continues to grow across the world, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a direct impact while developing professionally within one of the fastest-growing nonprofit organizations serving individuals with Down syndrome.
Experience
Minimum of 2 years of experience in fundraising or development roles using data to provide insights in support of the Development and Marketing teams.
Demonstrated success in increasing funds raised by a development team.
