ACLU of Kentucky

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky Foundation (ACLU-KY) seeks a Development Director to manage and significantly expand the fund development program for the ACLU and strengthen the links between the ACLU and its supporters.  Working closely with the Executive Director, the Development Director is responsible for planning, supervising and executing the ACLU of Kentucky’s fundraising strategies.  The Development Director provides leadership to the staff and Board of Directors to reach our annual and long-range fundraising goals and reports to the Executive Director.

With an annual combined budget of $500,000, the ACLU of Kentucky and its Foundation operate jointly as private, non-profit organizations.  We are the state affiliate of the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to the protection and advancement of civil rights and civil liberties.  The development program supports the ACLU’s legislative, public education, and legal programs on a broad range of constitutional issues including but not limited to voting rights, abolition of the death penalty, immigrants’ rights, free speech, religious freedom, reproductive rights, and the rights of gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender individuals.

Founded in 1955, the ACLU-KY is located in downtown Louisville but works statewide through volunteer and member engagement.  The ACLU-KY has approximately 3,000 members and supporters.  Our current staff consists of five full-time members.  We are currently undergoing a long-range planning process with designs on organizational expansion to increase our overall impact within Kentucky.  The Development Director position is a crucial link in securing and maintaining significant resources to sustain such an expansion.

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The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky Foundation (ACLU-KY) seeks a Development Director to manage and significantly expand the fund development program for the ACLU and strengthen the links between the ACLU and its supporters.  Working closely with the Executive Director, the Development Director is responsible for planning, supervising and executing the ACLU of Kentucky’s fundraising strategies.  The Development Director provides leadership to the staff and Board of Directors to reach our annual and long-range fundraising goals and reports to the Executive Director.

With an annual combined budget of $500,000, the ACLU of Kentucky and its Foundation operate jointly as private, non-profit organizations.  We are the state affiliate of the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to the protection and advancement of civil rights and civil liberties.  The development program supports the ACLU’s legislative, public education, and legal programs on a broad range of constitutional issues including but not limited to voting rights, abolition of the death penalty, immigrants’ rights, free speech, religious freedom, reproductive rights, and the rights of gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender individuals.

Founded in 1955, the ACLU-KY is located in downtown Louisville but works statewide through volunteer and member engagement.  The ACLU-KY has approximately 3,000 members and supporters.  Our current staff consists of five full-time members.  We are currently undergoing a long-range planning process with designs on organizational expansion to increase our overall impact within Kentucky.  The Development Director position is a crucial link in securing and maintaining significant resources to sustain such an expansion.

Primary Responsibilities:

Major Gifts Program:  Direct major gift program to increase our major donor pool of $10,000+ gifts.  This includes identifying major donor prospects, facilitating meetings and face-to-face solicitations for the Executive Director and board leadership, and preparing materials for solicitors and donors. Responsible for developing and leading an annual comprehensive work plan that will include specific fundraising goals and targets for proposals, appeals and campaigns with the Executive Director; Work with the national office on major donor strategies; Conduct cultivation and outreach events to prospective donors throughout the year.

Foundation Grants Program:  Work with program staff to develop grant applications; oversee prospect research; implement tracking and reporting systems and proposal submissions; cultivate relationships with foundations.

Membership Recruitment:  Most membership recruitment and all renewals are handled by the national office.  The Development Director ensures that new member lists are regularly reviewed and develops strategies to cultivate ACLU members who have the potential to become major donors. 

Fundraising Events:  Coordinate all aspects of cultivation and outreach events to prospective donors throughout the year, including our annual Bill of Rights dinner and specific program focused events.

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

Gift Recording and Acknowledgement:  Maintain confidential fundraising information on databases and hold primary responsibility for the accuracy and integrity of the database information - including giving histories, profiles, and interactions - and coordinate with the  national office regarding changes and updates.  Assure the proper recording, tracking, acknowledgement and reporting of gifts from major donors to nurture continued giving.  Oversee production of reports for accounting and reconciliation of funds between ACLU-KY and the national office.  Keep Executive Director informed of trends and key donor information.

Materials:  Maintain primary responsibility for developing the messages, materials, and explanations of our work that are used in all of the development campaigns.

General staff leadership responsibilities:  Attend ACLU functions, such as the annual membership meeting and Bill of Rights Dinner, occasional 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, including at least three years of development experience.  Experience in non-profit, advocacy or other community-based organizations is valuable. 
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including good manners and diction.
• Ability to interact confidently and successfully with principal-level prospects and donors, including wealth community and business leaders; established statewide community and philanthropy relationships a plus.
• A confident, business-like and professional presentation.
• Ability to travel throughout the state and to manage and accommodate a work schedule that will include evening and weekend commitments.
• A demonstrated ability to write clearly and precisely.  Strength in proofreading.
• Excellent organization and administrative skills:  a strong, consistent attention to detail, an organized work style, and the ability to follow through on work assignments with a minimum of direct supervision.
• Ability to work on several projects at various stages of completion.
• Experience with donor database management and systems to track campaigns and ensure complete, secure, and private donor and campaign records.  A commitment to confidentiality of donor records.
• Management style that reflects collaboration, delegation of responsibilities, openness, and a commitment to the development of staff and member participation.
• Demonstrated interest in, enthusiasm for, and commitment to the mission and principles of the ACLU.

Compensation:

The ACLU of Kentucky offers a generous and comprehensive compensation and benefits package including paid vacation, medical and dental insurance, pension plan, life and long-term disability insurance and generous paid holidays.  The maximum salary at hire for the Development Director position will be $55,000, commensurate to experience.

To Apply:

Please send letter of interest, resume, three professional references, and a business writing sample not to exceed two pages to:

Development Director Search Committee

ACLU of Kentucky

c/o Michael Aldridge

315 Guthrie Street Suite 300

Louisville, KY  40202

or by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Please put “Development Director” in the subject line.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.  Please indicate where you learned of this job posting.

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