The Newberry Library occupies a unique place in the cultural ecosystem of Chicago, the country, and the world. Dedicated to preserving history and sharing stories that are both timeless and urgently important, the Newberry stands at the intersection of groundbreaking scholarship and enlivening public engagement. At the heart of the Newberry’s mission is a growing and dynamic collection of materials that chronicles human achievement and experience across hundreds of years of history.
Under the leadership of President and Librarian Astrida Orle Tantillo — the first woman to lead the institution in its 138-year history — the Newberry is reinforcing its commitment to scholarly excellence while expanding its reach to new audiences in Chicago and beyond. As the Newberry continues to grow, it remains steadfast in its mission: to promote research, inspire learning, and use the humanities as a means to connect us all to the human experience.
The Opportunity
As the Newberry pursues an ambitious plan to broaden its reach and deepen its impact, it seeks a dynamic and visionary Vice President of Development who will be responsible for designing and leading the institution’s upcoming comprehensive campaign as well as overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Development office.
Reporting to the Newberry’s President and serving as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Vice President will partner with other Newberry leadership and the Board to develop comprehensive, long-term fundraising and engagement strategies to deepen the Newberry’s donor engagement, expand its fundraising locally and nationally, and increase revenue to support its strategic goals.
With a collection spanning more than 1.6 million books, 600,000 maps, and five million manuscript pages, the Newberry offers unparalleled access to more than six centuries of human history. To encounter these materials is to be transported through time and changed forever.
The Vice President of Development will extend this sense of wonder and discovery to existing and emerging audiences. In the process, they will expand philanthropic pipelines; activate a broad base of support; and secure six-figure gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
This is a rare opportunity that combines innovative fundraising, institutional leadership, and a passion for lifelong learning.
The salary range for this position is $140,000 – $160,000.
