The Pat Tillman Foundation (PTF) unites and empowers remarkable active-duty service members, veterans and military spouses as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self. Inspired by Pat Tillman, who proudly put his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to serve his country, family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Pat’s death in April 2004 while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Over the last 20 years, the Pat Tillman Foundation has supported more than 900 Tillman Scholars as they’ve furthered their education and increased their professional impact in the world. 

PTF seeks a highly motivated, team-oriented Development Associate. In addition to shared responsibilities, and subject to change based upon the discretion of the Director of Development, the incoming Development Associate will specifically: steward a portfolio of partnerships, manage various fundraising events and support efforts to attract, retain and grow new supporters, investors and partners for PTF. 

Who You Are 

  • Detail-oriented and highly organized. An effective systems thinker who can manage multiple projects and prioritize appropriately to produce high-quality results quickly and on time. You are a natural forward planner who critically assesses your own performance. 
  • Relationship-builder. You love working with diverse audiences and partners to elevate the voices and impact of the Tillman Scholars as the next generation of public and private sector leaders. You know how to excite people about opportunities to connect with our mission and invest in the impact of the scholar community. You have solid relationship management skills and are an effective networker motivated to strengthen relations with supporters, investors and partners. 
  • Clear communicator. You understand the power that small, daily, consistent actions have to create trust and build lasting relationships. Clear and effective written and verbal communicator, experienced in presenting to senior and/or strategic leadership. You have an entrepreneurial spirit and a communication style that inspires others and extinguishes conflict. 
  • Entrepreneurial spirit. You are a lifelong learner who is passionate about intellectual growth and committed to continuous improvement. You’re driven by innovation, creativity, and breakthrough thinking that challenges the conventional and fosters new ideas. As a self-motivated leader and teammate, you love brainstorming to come up with big, inspiring ideas. You are a bold thinker with innovative ideas and creative problem-solving approaches. 
  • Change Agent. Leader that is agile, courageous, and pushes through conflict for speed to action. A leader that thrives under pressure, takes big risks, delivers solutions, and leads the change. You are a self-motivated leader that drives the agenda and thrives in a competitive, fast-paced environment. Relentless focus on delivering results and tenacity to get it done with urgency.
  • Passionate. You care about making a difference in the world, and want to support veterans and their families working at an impactful level across sectors including health, law, business, policy, academia, government, and defense. You want to come to work and feel inspired every day. You want to change the world. 

What You’ll Do 

In addition to participating in regularly-scheduled team meetings, planning sessions, and events; assisting with the daily documentation of stewardship and engagement efforts in the pursuit of revenues; imagining and blueprinting new ways to engage investors through sponsorship opportunities and mutually-beneficial interactions; supporting the Director of Development and the Office of the CEO, and; planning and executing a yearlong calendar of PTF events in collaboration with all other functional teams, you will own the specific duties bulleted below. 

Additionally, you will be asked to operate from a ‘learn and contribute’ mindset, to be curious about our entire investment community, and to operate with a sense of optimism as we work to grow our Foundation. 

General Responsibilities: 

  • Research individuals, corporations and foundation opportunities to identify likely prospects and areas of potential interest 
  • Develop and manage relationships with prospects and funders 
  • Manage website giving company and online donation process 
  • Respond to development inquiries 
  • Create reports and track donor/prospect activities 

Gift Processing: 

  • Manage the daily input, edits and posting of all contributions – ensure accuracy of all additions, changes and deletions 
  • Create and send gift acknowledgements 

Pat’s Run Partnerships: 

  • Serve as primary contact for all Pat’s Run Sponsors and Event Partners managing and executing event deliverables 
  • Develop Action Plans for each partner including event deadlines and specifications to ensure complete and accurate event fulfillment 
  • Ensure all event partners’ goals and objectives for event are met and exceeded 
  • Develop and present end of event reports communicating measurable value received from sponsorship 
  • Work with Director of Development and Pat’s Run Sponsorship Representative to renew Pat’s Run partners and cultivate new event sponsors 
  • Send monthly email correspondence to the team

In-Kind Partnerships: 

  • Establish and nurture relationships with potential and existing in-kind partners to secure donations and support for organizational needs 
  • Proactively identify and pursue new opportunities for in-kind contributions that align with the organization's goals and objectives 
  • Work closely with internal teams (e.g., Programs & Leadership, Marketing, and Operations) to understand needs and coordinate the use of in-kind resources 
  • Monitor Compliance: Ensure all in-kind donations comply with legal, ethical, and organizational guidelines, including documentation and donor acknowledgment 
  • Salesforce: Maintain a detailed database of in-kind donations and their usage ● Organize and manage events or initiatives that involve in-kind partners, ensuring successful execution and positive partner experiences 
  • Develop a process to thank in-kind donors publicly through various PTF channels 

Team Tillman: 

  • Serve as primary contact for Team Tillman Chicago and New York internally and externally
  • Provide customer service for Team Tillman members 
  • Recruit, cultivate and coach fundraising runners 
  • Manage acknowledgements and allocations for all donations received 
  • Manage Team Tillman Rewards leading up to and during race week 
  • Coordinate gear and incentive process for team members 
  • Work with Marathon representatives to secure spots and on the registration process
  • Coordinate details for Marathon weekends 
  • Send monthly email correspondence to the team 

Fundraising Events: 

  • Tillman Honors: Collaborate with and support the development team throughout the successful planning and execution of Tillman Honors, PTF’s annual fundraising gala held each November in Chicago 
  • Sua Sponte: Collaborate with the Development team to refine, improve and maximize the impact of PTF’s signature New York-based fundraising event 
  • Other fundraising events: Research and ideate additional opportunities for PTF to develop fundraising events and opportunities consistent with PTF’s goal of increasing investment to fund and support the Tillman Scholar community 

“Pints for Pat” and Third-Party Fundraising Events: 

  • Refine, improve, expand and maximize the impact of Pints for Pat’ initiatives around the country; support PTF team in Chicago for Pints for Pat event based there 
  • Evaluate all current third-party event processes, marketing strategies, and fundraising potential offering a strategy for growth and improvement moving forward 
  • Create stewardship plans for third-party fundraisers

Based in Chicago, the Pat Tillman Foundation offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and a collaborative and welcoming environment where passionate and curious thinkers will thrive. 

This position will report to the Director of Development and is based in Chicago, IL, but we are open to remote based US candidates. Peer Development Managers are based in Chicago and Washington D.C. Travel is estimated at 25% - 35% of total work time in a given year. The position is available immediately. The Pat Tillman Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages any and all qualified applicants. 

Please direct any questions to info@pattillmanfoundation.org.