Join CASL as an Individual Gift Officer and Make a Difference Are you passionate about building relationships and driving impact through philanthropy? At CASL, we connect individuals and families to the resources they need to thrive. As our Individual Gift Officer, you'll play a vital role in strengthening community support through donor engagement and stewardship. Join us-and be part of something truly transformational.
Your Mission: The Individual Gift Officer is a key member of the Advancement Team responsible for strengthening CASL's philanthropic partnerships to support mission-aligned programs and long-term sustainability. This role manages a portfolio of donors and prospects capable of giving $1,000 or more, creating and executing tailored cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that reflect CASL's values and community impact.
The Individual Gift Officer proactively designs strategic engagement plans to identify new prospects, deepen donor relationships, and increase overall giving. Working closely with the Chief Advancement Officer, program leadership, and board members, this role helps connect donors to CASL's work in meaningful ways. Success is measured by portfolio growth, dollars raised, donor retention, and contribution to organizational fundraising goals.
About CASL: The Chinese American Service League is a dynamic and forward-thinking organization dedicated to empowering and serving the Chinese American population and the broader communities. Established with a rich history spanning several decades, CASL has consistently evolved to address the evolving needs of its constituents while fostering cultural pride, integration, and community development.
For over 45 years, CASL's comprehensive programs have connected families and individuals with the vital support they need: providing an educational and cultural foundation for our children, ensuring our seniors live full and independent lives with dignity, enhancing education and training for tomorrow's workforce, putting immigrants on the pathway to citizenship, securing our community's housing and financial well-being, navigating healthcare systems and wellness resources, and providing equal access to justice. Since our founding, CASL has been rooted in the principles of equity and justice. That legacy continues to shape our efforts today as we strive to champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at all levels of the organization.
To hear about:
CASL's history, watch here
CASL's future, watch here
Your Impact: As an Individual Gift Officer, you will:
Key Responsibilities: - Manage a portfolio of approximately 75-125 individual donors and prospects with the capacity to contribute greater than $1,000.
- Meet fundraising and engagement goals established in partnership with the Chief Advancement Officer, with regular progress reviews and strategic adjustments as needed.
- Design and implement strategic cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans that align with donor interests and CASL's funding priorities.
- Secure individual gifts to support CASL's annual fund, special initiatives, and long-term organizational goals.
- Conduct regular personal outreach-including in-person visits, phone calls, and written communication-to build meaningful, lasting relationships.
- Take ownership of donor engagement strategies, regularly evaluating progress against goals and adapting approaches accordingly.
- Collaborate with program leaders, executive leadership, and board members to identify funding opportunities and coordinate donor engagement.
- Provide personalized donor experiences, including customized tours, events, and briefings that highlight CASL's impact.
- Prepare and deliver compelling donor materials such as proposals, impact reports, and stewardship updates.
- Maintain accurate records of donor activity in Salesforce, documenting all interactions, touchpoints, and feedback to ensure data transparency and accessibility across the organization.
- Use Asana to manage workflows, track deadlines, and support cross-functional collaboration and accountability.
- Conduct research using public resources and wealth screening tools to identify new prospects and inform engagement strategies.
- Partner with Advancement and Marketing & Communications teams to align messaging, campaigns, and recognition efforts with broader fundraising goals.
- Stay informed about CASL's programs, values, and strategic priorities to represent the organization authentically and effectively in all donor interactions.
Must Haves - To thrive in this role, you should have: Education & Experience: - Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive experience in individual giving, or related fundraising roles.
- Bachelor's degree in a related field such as nonprofit management, communications, business, or a relevant area is preferred -or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
- Proven track record of securing five figure gifts and managing a donor portfolio.
Skills & Knowledge: - Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to connect authentically and thoughtfully with donors and community stakeholders.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing donor materials, proposals, and impact reports, and an ability to convey information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
- Demonstrates strong ownership of work, with the ability to prioritize effectively, manage shifting deadlines, and deliver high-quality outcomes-thriving in a dynamic environment.
- Demonstrated ability to set and meet goals in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
- Proficiency with Salesforce or similar CRM systems, and strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365.
Nice to Haves: - Experience using Asana or similar project/task management tools to track workflow, timelines, and collaboration.
- Familiarity with the Chicago philanthropic landscape and local donor networks.
- Experience contributing to or managing capital or comprehensive fundraising campaigns.
- Knowledge of donor lifecycle strategy, including moves management and pipeline development.
- Comfort with data-informed fundraising strategies and donor segmentation.
- Exposure to culturally responsive fundraising practices and inclusive donor engagement approaches.
Physical Demands: - Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods, with occasional movement. Occasionally moves objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
Environment and Scheduling: - Work is performed during standard business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, with flexibility to work additional hours, as necessary.
- Some travel is required for local, state, and national engagements.
Compensation & Benefits: This position offers a salary range of
$65,000 - $70,000 annually, reflective of experience and qualifications.
Join CASL and unlock a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your loved ones. As a full-time employee, you'll enjoy a range of options tailored to your needs: Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage; 401k, PTO, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) & Health Savings Account (HSA); Life Insurance, AD&D Insurance, Disability Insurance; Voluntary Worksite Benefits, Pet Insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Additionally, our holiday schedule includes New Year's Day, MLK Day, Chinese New Year, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous People's Day, Thanksgiving, the Day After Thanksgiving, Christmas Day.
Why Choose CASL: Inclusivity: Join an organization that values mutual respect and acceptance, fostering a culture of inclusivity.
Empowerment: Support staff empowerment through skill development and growth opportunities.
Collaboration:Be part of a workplace that thrives on collaboration and teamwork.
Transformation:Envision and realize transformative changes in people, processes, and policies.
Resiliency: Work with a dynamic workforce and model resiliency to achieve collective strengths.
Join Us and Make a Difference: Join us at CASL, where together, we create a brighter future for our community.
Thank you for your interest in joining our team. Each resume is reviewed personally by our dedicated team members, not AI. This thorough and thoughtful evaluation process may take a bit of time, so we kindly ask for your patience. Rest assured, we will get back to you as soon as we have an update on your application status. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to reviewing your application.
At CASL, we believe that diverse perspectives fuel innovation and drive success. If you're excited about the opportunity but unsure if you meet every requirement listed, we still encourage you to submit your application. Our company culture thrives on the unique talents and experiences that each individual brings to the table. We're looking for the right fit, and that goes beyond a checklist of qualifications. Join us in shaping a dynamic and inclusive team where your skills and contributions truly matter.
CASL is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.