BACKGROUND AND MISSION
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and organizing to achieve racial equity.
For 31 years, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago has worked to bring together the Asian American community and create change in our communities. We are deeply committed to grassroots community organizing and we invest in the leadership of grassroots community members through trainings, community education, civic engagement, and collaborative issue-based campaigns. In order to strengthen our work and transform the inequities in our city, state, and Midwest region, we work with multiracial coalitions that emphasize racial equity, accountability to those most impacted, and an infrastructure of grassroots leadership. Our advocacy work focuses on promoting racial, economic, and immigrant justice, including initiatives in the areas of voting rights, language access, and immigrant rights.
As part of the national Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation, Advancing Justice | Chicago is a leader in the nationwide Asian American movement. Regionally, Advancing Justice | Chicago is prioritizing the Midwest, and collaborating with partners across the Midwestern states to tackle common struggles and build power.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Working closely with the Director of Development and development team, the Development Manager will lead our organization’s individual giving efforts, manage key fundraising campaigns, oversee the donor database, and coordinate development communications.
The Development Manager position will make a significant impact on fundraising success for Advancing Justice | Chicago. This person will manage individual giving efforts, manage fundraising campaigns, develop impactful communications, and ensure effective donor database management and tracking to support the organization and development goals. This position presents a unique opportunity for a flexible, dynamic, detail-oriented, and organized individual to advance this organization’s fundraising commitment to building power through coalition building, base building, and grassroots leadership development.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reports to: Director of Development
Individual Giving:
- Develop and execute comprehensive individual giving strategies, that include recurring donors, estate planning, and mid-level and major donors, to maximize donor acquisition, engagement, and retention;
- Create a new cultivation and solicitation process, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship;
- Identify and cultivate relationships with prospective individual donors through personalized communications and other engagement opportunities;
- Collaborate with Director of Development and other key stakeholders to leverage their networks and support in prospecting and solicitation;
- Proactively communicate progress, challenges, and opportunities related to individual giving to Director of Development.
Donor Database Management:
- Oversee the management and optimization of the donor database system (Salesforce), ensuring accurate and up-to-date records of all donors, prospects, and gifts;
- Leverage the donor database to enhance donor engagement and inform fundraising strategies;
- Train and support staff in the use of the donor database system, ensuring consistent and accurate data entry and reporting;
- Develop and maintain systems for tracking and reporting on fundraising activities, donor contributions, and campaign results;
- Prepare comprehensive reports on fundraising progress, donor retention, acquisition, and revenue trends;
- Proactively communicate progress, challenges, and opportunities related to donor database to Director of Development.
Fundraising Campaigns Management:
- Plan and execute key fundraising campaigns, including the end of year campaign and AAPI Heritage Month initiatives;
- Develop campaign goals, strategies, and timelines, and coordinate cross-functional teams and key stakeholders to achieve campaign objectives;
- Effectively delegate and hold other team members accountable to their project responsibilities and fundraising goals;
- Monitor campaign progress, analyze results, and provide recommendations for continuous improvement;
- Implement strategies to steward and retain donors acquired through campaign efforts;
- Manage A Just Chi Giving Project’s fundraising efforts.
Development Communications:
- Create and execute development and fundraising communications plan;
- Prepare and disseminate communications materials to support fundraising efforts, including targeted communications to key stakeholders (foundations, corporations, donors, etc.), using multiple platforms such as print, electronic, social media, and events outreach;
- Ensure timely and personalized acknowledgement of all donor contributions;
- Create toolkits for fundraising campaigns for key stakeholders;
- Create and post development related social media content;
- Collaborate with Communications Manager and organizing staff to gather compelling stories and data to create engaging donor-centric content;
- Support fundraising events and campaigns for Advancing Justice | Chicago stakeholders, as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):
Knowledge/Experience:
- In order to lead and take ownership of individual giving strategies and fundraising campaigns, you have at least three (3) to four (4) years of experience in nonprofit development or fundraising, which gives you a breadth of experience with:
- Individual giving, donor relations, and tailored communication with donors;
- Fundraising campaign management;
- Data management and analysis;
- Donor relationship management systems, preferably Salesforce.
Skills:
- You are detail oriented and have excellent organizational, time management and project management skills; you can handle multiple priorities, keep projects moving, make sure things don’t slip through the cracks, and meet deadlines;
- You have impeccable follow through and understand the importance of confidentiality and accurate record–keeping in maintaining positive donor relations;
- You are a clear and empathetic communicator; you are thoughtful and precise in your written and verbal communication, ensuring clarity by organizing information effectively whether writing an internal email or delivering a presentation; you tailor your writing for different audiences and can create compelling fundraising communications; you share context to explain your thoughts and ask questions to understand others’ perspectives and negotiate outcomes that center shared goals;
- You are proficient in digital communication and work tools such as Zoom, Google Drive, Microsoft 365/Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Mailchimp, and social media platforms.
Professional Attributes (Abilities, Other):
- With a commitment to social justice, racial equity, and civil rights, you recognize the role of race, income, age, immigration status, and other identities in shaping disparities among communities. You recognize how your own identities show up in the work, and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback with an eye toward continuous learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference.
- You possess self-starting work habits that demonstrate creativity, a clear understanding of organizational priorities and one’s own responsibilities, while at the same time being open to receiving direction.
- You mirror accountability in all aspects of your job and hold others accountable, keeping in touch with people and always making time to follow up to reach a common goal;
- You understand that personal growth and self-reflection are critical for effective teamwork, and are committed to receiving feedback, coaching, and accountability to continue growing; you navigate conflict and tension directly, compassionately, and relationally;
- You know that the context of community change work is ever evolving and can adapt quickly to changing environments and contexts, and allow for flexible working hours, including occasional evenings and weekends (compensatory time is offered for evening and weekend work);
COMPENSATION:
This is an exempt, full-time position. This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit and is subject to the terms and conditions of the contract between Advancing Justice | Chicago and the Chicago News Guild.
The salary range is $60,000 – $70,000 depending on experience. Advancing Justice | Chicago offers a full benefits package as outlined below:
- Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, with 100% Employer paid premiums
- Generous Paid Time Off Policy
- 401K Employer Match Program
INQUIRY AND APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications should be submitted electronically via email
to work@advancingjustice-chicago.org and include:
- Cover letter describing interest in the position, qualifications, and expectations;
- Resume;
- Two relevant writing samples of your choosing;
- Two relevant design samples of your choosing or link to portfolio; and
- Three references who can speak to the range of qualifications sought (include email, phone number, work relationship).
Please include “Development Manager Application” in the subject line of your email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, until the position is filled.
Note: Given the COVID-19 pandemic, Advancing Justice | Chicago staff are currently working hybrid, both remotely and in-person in our Uptown office two days a week, which is subject to change.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, height, weight, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, marital or domestic partner status, or religious affiliation.