Andrea Porter
Chicago,Illinois
Summary
SENIOR FUNDRAISING LEADER | MAJOR & PRINCIPAL GIFTS | TEAM BUILDER | EQUITY-DRIVEN STRATEGIST
Results-oriented fundraising professional with 12+ years of experience raising millions for mission-driven institutions. Proven ability to cultivate, solicit, and steward six- and seven-figure gifts. Currently, I am the Director of Major Gifts at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, where I closed $850K in my first year and coached two early-career fundraisers—one to a $1M gift, and another to a $3M commitment. Skilled in volunteer and board engagement, team leadership, donor strategy, and cross-functional collaboration. Passionate about advancing equity through philanthropy.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Major Gifts
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Chicago, IL
04.2024 - Current
- Lead a coordinated major gifts strategy for the law school, managing a portfolio of 70+ donors with $250K+ capacity.
- Closed $850K in first year and coached two early-career fundraisers to secure a $1M gift and a $3M commitment.
- Partner with senior leadership, faculty, and alumni; collaborate cross-departmentally; and mentor a high-performing team to drive revenue growth.
Major Gifts Officer
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, IL
08.2021 - 04.2024
- Secured six- and seven-figure gifts ($100K+), advancing university-wide priorities through cross-campus collaboration.
- Managed 75–125 prospect portfolios and led special projects such as customized proposals and campaign initiatives.
- Supported campaign planning, donor strategy development, and board engagement efforts.
Senior Manager of Development
Per Scholas
Chicago, IL
03.2021 - 08.2021
- Recruited to help build and transition fundraising infrastructure during a key expansion phase in the Chicago market.
- Developed a new corporate sponsorship strategy, stewarded donor relationships, and supported major events.
- Successfully transitioned local development operations to permanent staff.
Major Gifts & Planned Giving Officer
Shriver Center on Poverty Law
Chicago, IL
01.2019 - 03.2021
- Managed a national portfolio of 125+ major and planned giving prospects, raising $250K through a short-term campaign.
- Secured $1.7M in planned gift commitments and developed the organization’s first Planned Giving Program.
- Created blended gift strategies and collaborated with the development team on family foundation proposals.
Associate Director
Claretian Associates
Chicago, IL
03.2017 - 01.2019
- Directed development, communications, and strategic planning efforts; raised $306K from new institutional sources and launched inaugural gala ($30K).
- Increased board fundraising by 20% and supported strategic growth resulting in a 70% revenue increase and acquisition of two new facilities.
- Supervised a team of 4 direct reports and 60 seasonal staff.
Development/Marketing Manager
Claretian Associates
Chicago, IL
06.2014 - 03.2017
- Secured $3M in gifts over a three-year period.
- Built out multi-channel communications, launched a new website, and established social media platforms.
- Drove significant increases in brand awareness and donor engagement.
Education
MA - Social Work (Global Social Development)
University of Chicago
BA - Sociology
University of Southern California
Certificate - Fundraising Management
Indiana University
Skills
- Major and principal gift cultivation
- Campaign planning & pipeline development
- Relationship-centered fundraising
- Donor portfolio management (70–125 donors)
- Authentic engagement across discovery, solicitation, and legacy giving
- Cross-functional collaboration with faculty, deans, and executives
- Culture-building rooted in clarity, equity, and trust
- Experience with justice-focused organizations and communities
- Background in community organizing and violence prevention
- Trustee and board partner cultivation
- Public speaking and donor presentations
- Salesforce and CRM management
Affiliations
- Presenter: Association of Fundraising Professionals, Chicago Chapter (2020)
- Global Researcher: UChicago & Hong Kong Polytechnic University Poverty Lab
- Social Work Intern: Heartland Alliance International (Iraq & Lebanon Projects)
- Annual Fellows Facilitator: Development Leadership Consortium
Timeline
Director of Major Gifts
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
04.2024 - Current
Major Gifts Officer
Illinois Institute of Technology
08.2021 - 04.2024
Senior Manager of Development
Per Scholas
03.2021 - 08.2021
Major Gifts & Planned Giving Officer
Shriver Center on Poverty Law
01.2019 - 03.2021
Associate Director
Claretian Associates
03.2017 - 01.2019
Development/Marketing Manager
Claretian Associates
06.2014 - 03.2017
MA - Social Work (Global Social Development)
University of Chicago
BA - Sociology
University of Southern California
Certificate - Fundraising Management
Indiana University
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