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This position has closed. Northwestern Medicine removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 5, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Philanthropy Coordinator - Major Gifts

Northwestern Medicine · Lake Forest, IL · Full time · Health Care Provider

Posted Sep 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 5, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a report or analysis you built that someone used to make a decision.

What they are checking: Practical data and reporting skills, which the posting lists first among duties.

Tell me about a time you coordinated an event or project with many moving parts.

What they are checking: Organization and follow-through across donors, physicians, vendors and volunteers.

Tell me about a time you found a mistake in a list or roster before it went out.

What they are checking: Attention to detail on rosters and lists, where errors can embarrass the foundation with donors.

Why are you interested in fundraising for a health system?

What they are checking: Real connection to the mission of supporting patient care and medical research.

What would you do

You support several gift officers who all need things by Friday. How do you decide what comes first?

What they are checking: Managing competing requests from associates, directors and vice presidents without dropping anything.

A board member calls and you're the only one in the office. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Professional, confident communication with high-level volunteers and knowing what to pass along.

A physician asks you to share a donor's contact information so they can reach out directly. What do you do?

What they are checking: Understanding that donor relationships are managed carefully and contact goes through the right gift officer.

About the work

This role supports Northwestern Memorial Foundation's major gifts team. What do you understand about how major gifts fundraising works?

What they are checking: Whether they grasp the long cycle of identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors.

What fundraising or CRM databases have you used, and how do you make sure the records you enter are accurate?

What they are checking: Database discipline, since donor records drive cultivation, reporting and gift acknowledgment.

Donor information is very sensitive. How do you handle confidentiality in your work?

What they are checking: Respect for donor privacy and care with health system information.

How would you write a thank-you note to a donor who just made a large gift for a new hospital program?

What they are checking: Warm, clear writing that makes donors feel their gift matters.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Northwestern Medicine from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Northwestern Medicine.

The Philanthropy Coordinator reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare (NMHC), adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. The Philanthropy Coordinator performs a critical support role on Northwestern Memorial Foundation’s (NMF) fundraising team. They are responsible for working with NMF philanthropy associates, managers, directors, vice presidents and other NMF team members to coordinate activities and initiatives, completing projects as assigned. NMF raises funds to support the health system’s strategic goals to deliver exceptional care and experience, advance and extend medical science and knowledge and enhance people, culture, and resources through: (1) raising planned, principal, and major gifts, (2) cultivating and stewarding donors, and (3) fostering a culture of philanthropy at NMHC. Responsibilities: • Provide administrative support, including data analysis and reporting, membership rosters and list management. • Communicate (both verbally and in writing) with a wide range of donors, departments, employees, vendors, physicians, board members and volunteers; and serve as a liaison on behalf of NMF to foster strong donor and working relationships. • Utilize database to document and support fundraising initiatives and activities of the team. • Serve as team’s database power user owning and accessing the data as part of assigned duties or in fulfillment of assigned roles or functions within philanthropy. This includes following policies and reporting concerns related to data management and protection. • Research and develop internal and external communications including presentations, speaking points, correspondence, and other written materials. • Administer and track expenses; master the NMHC administrative systems including adhering to department and company financial policies; creating purchase orders and check requests; and processing invoices for payment against purchase order or general expense reimbursement. • Provide essential support functions including calendar management support for the department leadership; facilitate and schedule meetings; book meeting rooms; arrange for catering; confirm attendance; and support in preparation and distribution of materials as necessary. • Manage telephone operations, answer, screen, and direct telephone calls. • Perform office management tasks including ordering and organizing office supplies; logistical coordination for office initiatives and events; assisting with building management requests; serving as a point person for administrative and operational needs of the relevant office location. • Maintain procedure manuals; ensure appropriate communication to staff of changes in procedures. • Participate in professional development opportunities to continuously strengthen leadership capabilities. • Represent and provide support for NMF at appropriate events related to donor cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising activities. This includes interactions with various levels of donors and constituents, both internally and externally. • Respond to unanticipated complex issues and manages critical and confidential information. • Utilize meaningful metrics to assess outcomes and achieve goals. • Exemplify the NMHC values of patients first, integrity, excellence, and teamwork. • Perform other duties as assigned. Minimum Requirements: Education: • Bachelor’s degree or 4 years equivalent work experience. Experience: • 1+ years of experience in a fundraising, community outreach, healthcare, or administrative support position, preferably in a non-profit organization. Behavioral Attributes: • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). • Ability to organize and think independently with orientation to deadline and detail. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. • High degree of professionalism, sensitivity, and integrity. • Strong intellectual curiosity, initiative, and highly effective listening and communication skills. • Proven ability to meet deadlines, communicate effectively, track details. • Demonstrate a high level of flexibility in a team environment. • Comfort handling multiple projects, accurately setting priorities on a regular basis, thinking creatively, and working as a collaborative team member. Preferred: • Fundraising industry experience. • Healthcare industry experience. • Experience with Raiser’s Edge database. Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status. Background Check Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Artificial Intelligence Disclosure Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Benefits We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Click on or copy and paste URL to your browser to view detailed benefits information NorthwesternMedicine Career Page https://jobs.nm.org/benefits Please refer to the Benefits Eligibility by Employment Classification to determine benefits eligibility for job postings. If sign-on bonus is included in a job posting eligibility is as followed: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign-on bonus. Exception : New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position as a Registered Nurse at NM may be eligible.