The Opportunity
The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon (ACLU of Oregon) seeks an energetic and experienced Development Director. The Development Director works with the Executive Director, the Development Associate, and other staff to implement the fundraising work of the organization.
The ACLU of Oregon is an advocacy organization dedicated to defending and advancing civil liberties and civil rights through work in the courts, in the legislature, and in communities. We fight for free speech, racial justice, prisoners' rights, criminal justice reform, religious liberty, reproductive rights, LGBT rights, immigrants' rights, and more. We are organized as a nonpartisan, nonprofit, membership organization with more than 10,000 members in Oregon. The ACLU of Oregon is an affiliate of the ACLU, our nation’s guardian of liberty for nearly 100 years.
The ACLU of Oregon (501c4) and its affiliated foundation (501c3) has a combined annual operating budget of approximately $1 million dollars that is raised primarily from individual contributions. We do not seek and do not receive any governmental funding.
ACLU of Oregon is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability and veteran status.
Job Overview
We seek a bold and innovative Development Director who will build the philanthropic spirit and capacity needed to embark on an ambitious campaign to celebrate the ACLU’s 100th anniversary in 2020 and prepare the ACLU of Oregon for continued success and growth.
The Development Director will develop and oversee the plan to raise funds to successfully sustain and expand the ACLU’s work. This includes stewardship of our existing donors as well as identifying prospects and securing new donors who have both the capacity and demonstrated interest in investing in the ACLU to generate longstanding, tangible victories. The Development Director is a senior staff position and reports to the Executive Director.
The successful candidate will provide visionary, strategic leadership with the goal of generating transformational gifts as well as donor cultivation and stewardship activities that can support the ACLU’s current and future strategic goals.
Key areas of responsibility:
• Contribute to strategic planning and fostering an inclusive workplace culture.
• Develop, lead, and evaluate a comprehensive individual giving program that focuses on major gifts (of $5,000 and above), planned gifts, and also provides a pipeline of mid-level donors.
• Supervise development staff and manage the department as a whole to ensure that it meets the goals and needs of the organization.
• Shape and meet fundraising goals, steward existing donors, and grow our individual gifts programs by developing relationships with new donors.
• Implement strategic use of events to advance fundraising goals.
• Interact collaboratively with National ACLU development staff at the level of strategic planning, systems, and donor strategies.
• Maintain working knowledge of national and state programmatic priorities and issues, including long-term priorities and major breaking news stories that are of interest to our supporters.
• Report on development efforts and interface with finance staff on progress, results, and restricted gifts.
• Ensure financial stewardship of contributed support conforms with organizational policies and financial accounting practices.
Key Qualifications:
• Passion for civil liberties, civil rights, and the mission of the ACLU.
• Five years related experience, with progressive responsibility and a proven track record of securing visits with prospective donors, and soliciting, closing, and stewarding major gifts in the $5,000 plus range. This includes experience soliciting special, multi-year campaign commitments and planned gifts.
• Experience utilizing events and house parties to effectively advance fundraising objectives.
• Management and supervision experience, including the ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and foster an environment of creativity and professional growth, and doing so in a manner that is collegial, inclusive, and promotes equity.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication and presentation skills. Demonstrated ability to simplify complex themes and activities into a short, compelling presentation or written piece.
• Strong people skills. The ability to work effectively and respectfully on the phone and in person with donors, board members, volunteers, staff, and the general public.
• Understanding of professional ethics and best practices in the field.
• Familiarity with donor database management and systems to track campaigns. Experience keeping complete, secure, and private donor and campaign records.
• Ability to work independently and to exercise good judgment in stressful circumstances.
• Flexibility and a willingness to take on new tasks as the responsibilities of the position evolve.
• Commitment to work-life balance but with the ability, on occasion, to work evenings, weekends, and irregular hours. Some travel required (mostly around Oregon).
Compensation
Salary commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits include paid vacation, 9 office holidays; medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff members, and 401(k) plan with employer contribution and match, and direct exposure to cutting-edge civil rights work.
To Apply
If you would like to make your own impact on the ACLU's mission to protect and advance civil liberties, please email your resume and a cover letter describing your interest in the position and what you can uniquely contribute as the Development Director to: jobs@aclu-or.org. Please use the subject line: Development Director. No calls or snail mail please.
Materials received by Wednesday, July 20th will receive preference. Resumes will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and will be accepted until the position is filled.
