ACLU of Alabama: Donor Relations Officer

LOCATION

SALARY

COMPANY

DEPARTMENT

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

MINIMUM LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE

JOB DESCRIPTION

ABOUT THE ACLU OF ALABAMA

The ** American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Alabama** is one of the nation’s foremost defenders of civil liberties and civil rights. They are part of the American Civil Liberties Union, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with 54 affiliates across the country. Their mission is to protect and advance the rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution through public education, legislative advocacy, and litigation.

They are anchored in Alabama's history of oppression and progress. At their core, they believe in equity and justice in Alabama. The organization's foundation and North Star is informed by their presence in the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement. The very space where community organizing changed this nation and crafted a more equitable and inclusive democracy.

The ACLU of Alabama is focused on elevating their work statewide, being a trusted community partner, and emerging as leading experts in core priority areas: Voting Rights, Gender Justice, and Criminal Legal Reform. The work is made possible through coalition-building and collaboration. They treat partners, clients, and the public with respect and dignity. The communities within Alabama are not voiceless; they are the ones with power.

Alongside the national ACLU, they also work on issues related to freedom of speech, freedom of religion, privacy, discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation or disability, police misconduct, censorship in schools or libraries, fairness in the application of school discipline, access to government documents, inhumane jail and prison conditions, and other issues of fair treatment by government.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The ** Donor Relations Officer** will serve as a key member of the ACLU of Alabama's Development team. Reporting to the Development Director, the Donor Relations Officer will be primarily responsible for development operations, including gift entry, data hygiene, gift acknowledgements, reporting, and donor research. A large component of the job will be in-person meetings with donors, attending community and networking events, and hosting house parties. The Donor Relations Officer will have a deep passion for civil rights and civil liberties and will strongly champion the ACLU of Alabama’s vision for a more just Alabama.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Development Administration

• Enter and maintain records in donor database, including entry of gifts, interactions, and contact and research information.

• Send monthly acknowledgment letters to all ACLU-AL donors.

• Create fundraising reports and mailing list reports.

• Maintain alignment between National ACLU and ACLU-AL donor communication systems.

• Prepare briefing memos in advance of meetings with donors and prospects, as directed by Development Director and Executive Director.

Donor Cultivation and Stewardship

• Build relationships with new and existing donors through active outreach and communication, including daily call times, handwritten thank you notes for major gifts and in person meetings.

• Communicate with donors regarding breaking news, including coordination with ACLU-AL's communications department on messaging.

• Project-manage small-scale events, including engaging with event host(s), drafting invitation language, managing event RSVPs, and identifying caterers and other relevant vendors.

• Actively attend community and networking events to engage with donors and identify new prospects.

Cultural Responsibility

• Bring an understanding of racial injustice and the urgency of confronting institutional racism and inequity into our approach to development.

• Commit to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture.

• Engage in relationship building with program staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders .

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

While no one candidate may possess all the qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will be passionate about the mission and values of ACLU of Alabama and will bring many of the following skills and experiences:

• Advanced interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for building strong, professional relationships with donors, staff, board members, volunteers, and the public.

• Ability to learn systems including Microsoft Office, Salesforce, Blackbaud, Asana, and others, with a strong preference for demonstrated experience in at least one fundraising database system.

• Experience with and ability to exercise discretion and confidentiality with sensitive information.

• Adept in communicating professionally, quickly, and effectively in person, on the phone, via email, and in writing about sensitive topics including financial matters, giving processes, giving mechanisms, and more.

• Demonstrated organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.

• High-level attention to detail, wherein you often notice things that other people miss.

• Ability to work independently and collaborate with others as part of a team.

• Ability to think proactively, anticipate problems, develop creative and effective solutions, and take the initiative to facilitate smooth operations for all staff confidently.

• Ability to travel within the state of Alabama and work occasional evenings, weekends, and irregular hours.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and to valuing differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstances.

• Preferred: At least two years of experience with nonprofit fundraising, including gift solicitation or development operations.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Compensation: The salary range for the Donor Relations Officer is in a range that begins at $70,000 and rises commensurate with experience.

Location: Flexible within Alabama, with strong preference for candidates based in Birmingham or Huntsville

Benefits: A career with the ACLU of Alabama provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. Staff members have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make a career with the ACLU of Alabama very rewarding, including but not limited to:

• Competitive Health Benefits

• Comprehensive Retirement Package

• Generous Paid Time Off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave

• Disability Insurance

TO APPLY

To learn more about the ** ACLU of Alabama**, please visit: www.aclualabama.org.

This search is being led by Katherine Jacobs and Jehivian Hernandez of GDSI Leadership. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume, via GDSI’s applicant portal.

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU of Alabama reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.

The ACLU of Alabama is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU of Alabama encourages 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, criminal record, or veteran status. The ACLU of Alabama undertakes affirmative action strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to assure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions. The ACLU of Alabama strongly encourages formerly incarcerated individuals to apply.