Posted on Nov 16th, 2009

Career Opportunity: ACLU of Texas Development Director

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a national public interest organization, is the leading defender of civil liberties guaranteed by our nation's Bill of Rights.

The ACLU of Texas, a private, non-profit organization, is the state's guardian of freedom that works to promote and defend civil liberties in Texas. To achieve our mission, we manage legal, legislative and public education programs on a broad range of constitutional issues including discrimination, free speech, immigrant rights, police accountability, youth and school issues, death penalty, religious freedom, reproductive rights, GLBT rights, and privacy. Founded in 1938, the ACLU of Texas is headquartered in Austin with a regional office in Houston. It has 16,000 members and an annual budget of $1.5 million.

Position Overview

The ACLU of Texas is seeking a Director of Development, a senior management position reporting to the Executive Director, to coordinate programs that raise funds for the ACLU and strengthen the links between the ACLU and its supporters. Position requires the ability to work collaboratively across departments. Working closely with the Executive Director, the Director of Development is responsible for planning, supervising and executing the affiliate's major gifts program and leading the progression and expansion of the ACLU of Texas' fundraising strategies.

Our organization is experiencing historic growth and the ACLU of Texas is poised to take advantage of this growth to raise resources for major programmatic expansion. Using major gifts to frame our development program, the Director of Development will provide leadership to and collaborate with our affiliate's development staff and the Board to reach our annual and long-range development goals.

Job Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

Major Gifts Program: Identify, develop and implement strategies for the cultivation of 750 prospective donors for gifts of at least $1000; identify potential donors of $10,000 or more and continue a training program for board members and others for solicitations; identify donor prospects and maintain records on current donors; facilitate solicitations for the Executive Director and board leadership; prepare materials for solicitors and donors; develop and coordinate an annual comprehensive work plan that will include specific fund raising goals and targets for proposals, appeals and campaigns with the Executive Director; work with the national office in coordinating production of appeals; prepare reports. Coordinate and implement cultivation and outreach events to prospective donors throughout the year.

Planned Giving: Work with the national ACLU Office of Planned Giving to develop and implement strategies for marketing planned giving products to ACLU donors and members.

New Donors: Lead and participate in efforts to identify, cultivate and solicit sources of funds and gifts, including major gifts occasional foundation/corporate grants, special events, endowment support and planned giving.

Other Responsibilities

Foundation Grants Program: Coordinate foundation grants program, including strategic prospect research, scheduling, writing, grant preparation and reporting.

Membership: Work collaboratively with the outreach/advocacy coordinator to grow membership across the state.

Gift Recording & Acknowledgement: Assure the proper recording, tracking and reporting of gifts from major donors. Maintain accurate and current data files, including giving histories, profiles, interactions; coordinate with the ACLU National Office regarding changes and updates. Become proficient in National ACLU sharing formulas, produce reports for annual audits and verify reconciliation of funds between ACLU of Texas and the National office.

Materials: Work collaboratively with the Public Education department to develop the messages, materials, and explanations of our work used in all of the development campaigns. Work with the Public Education department to develop the Annual Report and other materials that advance the ACLU's development programs.

Management: Supervise, train, and evaluate the development staff. Design projects for volunteers and interns. Ensure the development and maintenance of effective documentation of all routine development tasks. Assure confidentiality and work quality requirements are met by other development staff and volunteers. Generate reports and analysis that aid in program evaluation; provide accurate and efficient record keeping and reporting functions for the giving process. General staff leadership responsibilities: Attend ACLU functions, such as the annual membership meeting, quarterly weekend Board meetings and other ACLU events. Assist the Executive Director in maintaining a strong team spirit within the office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent combination of education and experience with at least five years experience in fundraising focusing on individual major gifts, particularly in advocacy or community-based organizations. CFRE accreditation desirable.
• Experience in working with advocacy and/or community-based organizations.
• Broad understanding of multi-faceted campaign planning, implementation and management.
• Strong interpersonal skills and comfort working with donors, volunteers and senior staff and making presentations and reports in public settings, including board meetings.
• Creative, result-oriented, self-starting, willing to learn, and able to manage an aggressive schedule, willingness to travel occasionally, working beyond 9-5 as needed.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to motivate others and work well with colleagues; experience in successfully directing volunteers in positive, team-oriented approach.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience developing successful written donor communications and marketing materials.
• Superb organization skills; detail oriented with strong follow-through and the ability to meet tight deadlines
• Computer proficiency, including list/database management.
• A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects all types of peoples including, but not limited to, differences of race, age, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance.
• Firm commitment to the mission and principles of the ACLU.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary based on experience. Excellent benefits include paid vacation, medical and dental insurance, pension plan, life and long-term disability insurance, and generous paid holidays. Benefits subject to waiting periods.

To Apply

Send a letter of interest that explains your interest in the position and offers a very short biography that tells us what you would like us to know that isn't included in your resume; include a resume; and complete our online application form. You may submit the entire package via e-mail to jobs@aclutx.org, or via regular mail to:

Vic Cornell
ACLU of Texas
P.O. Box 12905
Austin, Texas 78711-2905

Applications accepted until January 15 or until filled. Please indicate in your cover letter where you found this job listing.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals to apply.

The ACLU of Texas comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and the ACLU Foundation of Texas. Both the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and the ACLU Foundation or Texas have the same overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect civil liberties.