About City Bureau
City Bureau is a civic media lab that designs people-powered journalism practices and supports their local adoption and adaptation across the country.
We envision a world where all communities have the information, tools, and resources they need to navigate their lives, shape their futures, and cultivate a more just and participatory democracy.
Location: Hybrid in Chicago, with some work required from our Chicago office.
About the role
The Development Manager joins a two-person team raising $5M annually to support City Bureau’s mission and operations. This role is central to building new infrastructure for individual giving and grant solicitation, and to owning the systems, relationships, and data practices that keep our fundraising running with integrity and intention.
This is a role for someone who brings both operational precision and a genuine commitment to equitable, donor-centered fundraising. You’ll work across online database platforms, prospect research and management, and donor communications to grow and deepen City Bureau’s base of support.
You should apply if:
You are detail-oriented and excited to design and implement equitable, ethical fundraising practices for individual donors, local and national partners, and fiscal sponsorees.
You bring a mutual-aid mentality to your professional life and believe that fundraising, done well, is a form of community building.
You believe authenticity, transparency, and creativity are essential to growing lasting donor relationships — not just closing gifts.
You thrive in systems-oriented work and find satisfaction in building processes that make a team more effective and a mission more sustainable.
You are comfortable with ambiguity and energized by the opportunity to help build something new, not just maintain what exists.
You are committed to racial equity and structural change, and you want your day-to-day work to reflect those values — including how you communicate with donors and how you manage data.
Responsibilities
Individual Donor Program Implementation & Donor Relations
Owns end-to-end management of individual donor campaigns, events, and communications in coordination with the Marketing and Communications team
Leads systematic prospecting and pipeline management for major donors, including research, portfolio maintenance, and prospect briefs
Helps the Director of Development refine and implement moves management strategy for the major gifts program
Data Management, Analysis & Reporting
Owns the integrity and strategic use of our CRM, including data quality, automations, SOPs, and staff training
Generates regular fundraising reports and donor-specific analyses to inform strategy and campaign planning
Helps coordinate CRM integration with budgeting and data practices across teams
Grants Management Support
Helps the Senior Manager of Grants and Public Partnerships manage the grants calendar, track deadlines, and maintain funder records
Supports drafting of grant applications, reports, and meeting materials; helps prepare staff and leadership for funder conversations
Assists with stewardship of local and national foundation relationships in alignment with City Bureau’s equity-based fundraising values
Documenters Program Support
Helps support fundraising and donor communications connected to the Documenters National Network and Chicago-based Documenters program
Coordinates with program staff to source impact data and stories that strengthen cases for support
Assists with tracking and stewarding donors and funders whose giving is directed toward Documenters work
Event Management
Plans and executes multiple donor-facing events annually, from logistics and invitations through post-event follow-up and stewardship
Coordinates with internal teams to align events with broader engagement and fundraising strategy
Qualifications
Experience with direct donor solicitation and relationship management
Background in database or CRM management, with strong attention to data quality and process
Familiarity with grant writing, reporting, or grants calendar management
Experience with event planning or volunteer management
Strong written communication skills; able to translate organizational values and mission into compelling donor and funder materials
Commitment to equity-centered fundraising practices and an understanding of how development work connects to structural change
Compensation, Benefits and Support
$71,000 annual salary. City Bureau uses a universal compensation system.
Full-time with a benefits package including health care, dental, vision, and life insurance.
Employer-sponsored 401k with 100% employer match up to 2% of salary.
$1,000 combined annual technology and work tools and professional development allowance.
15 days paid vacation, not including health days.
4.5-day week for most of the year; during three summer months
A culture of intentional professional development and organizational learning.
A culture of intentional professional development and organizational learning: City Bureau staff hold regular share outs to learn from one another and regular community check-ins to connect and surface feedback on policies and practices.
This position is represented by the Chicago News Guild, TNG-CWA Local 34071 (City Bureau Workers Guild).
Our Timeline
We’re projecting the following timeline for this hiring process. We will notify candidates of any shifts as we move through the process.
Application closes June 23, 2026
Within two weeks of closing applications, you will know if you've moved onto the interview stage
Within two weeks of your interview, you'll know if you moved onto the case exercise stage
Within two weeks of your case exercise completion, you'll know if you moved onto the final interview
We expect to make a final offer by August 18, 2026
City Bureau is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.