Associate Director of Community Philanthropy

LFCDS, founded in 1888 and located on a 30-acre campus about 30 miles north of Chicago, Illinois, is a co-educational, independent day school serving 420 students from age 2 through eighth grade. The School has a long tradition of producing thoughtful, confident, and successful students. Children are known, loved, and challenged at LFCDS, and a state-of-the-art facility provides a remarkable setting for inspired teaching, personal growth, and nurturing a love of learning. 

The Associate Director of Community Philanthropy is responsible for building and sustaining a culture of philanthropy across the school community. This position plays a central role in all giving efforts—including active campaigns, the annual giving fund, as well as the school’s annual Auction—while stewarding meaningful relationships with donors, volunteers, and families. Grounded in strategy and fueled by relationships, this position ensures that philanthropic efforts are donor-centered, well-coordinated, and aligned with institutional priorities. 

Primary Responsibilities 

Giving & Fundraising Strategy 

Serve as the manager for the school’s philanthropic initiatives, including the Annual Giving Fund, Shaping What Comes Next Campaign, and Annual Auction.  

Partner with the Associate Head of School for Advancement and Head of School on donor strategy, leadership giving, and major gift cultivation. 

Develop and manage multi-channel stewardship calendar. 

Donor & Volunteer Relations 

Cultivate, solicit, and steward donors across all constituencies, with a focus on fostering a culture of philanthropy that thrives on participation.  

Serve as a primary staff partner to fundraising volunteers, committee members, and campaign leaders. 

Ensure donors experience timely, personal, and mission-centered acknowledgment and recognition. 

Collaboration & Integration 

Work closely with the Associate Director of Community Engagement to align stewardship with events, volunteerism, and community touchpoints. 

Partner with Marketing & Communications to ensure consistent, compelling philanthropic messaging across all channels. 

Coordinate with Advancement Operations to ensure accurate data tracking, reporting, and gift processing. 

Data, Reporting & Continuous Improvement 

Monitor giving performance and participation trends, using data to inform strategy and improve outcomes. 

Prepare reports and updates for leadership, committees, and the Board of Trustees as needed. 

Contribute to long-term advancement planning, ensuring systems and practices scale with institutional goals. 

Qualifications 

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or CFRE a plus. 

5–7 years of advancement or nonprofit fundraising experience, preferably in an independent school or education setting. 

Demonstrated success in annual giving, donor stewardship, and volunteer management. 

Strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and a high degree of discretion. 

Comfortable managing multiple initiatives simultaneously in a collaborative environment. 

To Apply: Please submit a letter of interest, resume, and references via PDF to Alex Sheridan, Associate Head of School for Advancement, at alex.sheridan@lfcds.org. The deadline for materials is April 10, 2026. 

Salary Range: $75,000-$85,000 commensurate with experience with a comprehensive benefits package including tuition remission for dependents of the employee. This is a full-time, 12-month position, requiring some evening and weekend work. 

Mission Statement: Through inspired teaching and partnership with families, Lake Forest Country Day School nurtures a love of learning and builds a foundation of strong character, preparing students to navigate their path with purpose. 

Core Beliefs 

Childhood is championed: We center all we do on what is best for our students, protecting and building upon the magic of these precious years. 

Community is our core: Honest and respectful relationships, formed through conversation and collaboration, build trust and a sense of belonging – honoring the dignity of every person. 

Curiosity is a gift: Wonder is an animating force that resides in every person and should be modeled and nurtured to stimulate self-discovery, spark innovation, and drive creativity. 

We aim high: Raising expectations activates the great potential we see in every person and elicits efforts that result in individual growth and the collective success of our community. 

Professional Association Memberships: NAIS, ISACS, LMAIS & INDEX 

Lake Forest Country Day School seeks and embraces diversity among our faculty, staff, and student body. LFCDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, religion, marital status, disability, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, order of protection status, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law.