Development Director

Supervisor: Executive Director 

Classification: Full-Time Exempt 

Supervisory Position: Yes 

This position supervises employees in a collective bargaining agreement. 
Position Overview:

Working with the Executive Director, the Development Director will lead, manage, grow, and execute the ACLU of Kentucky’s development plan and manage revenue of roughly $3 million for both ACLU of Kentucky Foundation and ACLU of Kentucky Union which includes a grant and individual donor portfolios totaling approximately $2 million. Additionally, they will directly manage a team which includes the Development Officer, Development Assistant, Development Intern, and any additional contract development support to cover the needs of the department. 

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Duties: 

Development Program Growth and Strategies: 

• Leading a fund development program with multiple streams of revenue that builds on prior efforts and expands into new organizational support. 
• Developing and coordinating annual and long-range development plans including an annual fundraising calendar of activities and lead their revision and execution throughout the year. 
• Monitoring and maintaining a statewide individual donor portfolio of $850,000 - $1 million for donor prospects of $5,000 or more. 
• Monitoring and strategizing with the Executive Director and Development Officer on their respective portfolios. 
• Serving as primary contact for donors and building relationships with donors in the Development Director’s portfolio and the Executive Director’s portfolio. This includes requesting one-on-one meetings, having meaningful interactions at events, and other measurable interactions with donors via phone, mail, and e-mail. 
• Engaging in face-to-face solicitations and other direct engagement with donors and prospects for major and planned gifts. 
• Identifying and qualifying new prospects for assignment to the major gifts portfolio by conducting and analyzing publicly available research consistent with ACLU privacy policy. 
• Creating a comprehensive strategy for each donor/prospect in the portfolio and execute those strategies in ways that respect, retain and inspire our donors including setting major level donors at a six-figure giving level or above. 
• Arranging and supporting engagement for the Executive Director to meet and surpass all development goals. 
• Providing partnership and high-level support to the Executive Director in preparation for donor interactions including thoughtful, concise briefing materials in advance of meetings with donors and prospects.
• Tracking portfolio activity, communication, and progress. 
• Creating reports as required that accurately reflect portfolio activity and performance. 
• Drafting donor correspondence and collaborating with the Communications Director to develop the messages, strategy memos, talking points, and materials for all of our development efforts. 
• Interacting collaboratively with National ACLU National Development Resource department, Leadership Gifts department, and Planned Giving Departments to advance key donor relationships through strategic planning and individual donor strategies and solicitations. 
• Maintaining working knowledge of national and state programmatic priorities and issues, including long-term priorities, the racial impact of the programmatic work of the organization, and major breaking news stories that are of interest to our supporters. 

Grants Management: 

• Managing a grant portfolio of $1.5 - $2 million and maintaining relationships with funders. 
• Working with staff members across departments to create proposals that are accurate, authentic, and transparent that further support the organization’s priorities. 
• Working with the affiliate’s financial management firm to create grant budgets that accurately reflect the unmet fiscal needs of the organization. 
• Maintaining systems within the organization that makes the grant process transparent. 
• Completing grant reports for funders that accurately reflect how funds were managed, spent, and stewarded. 
• Working with General Counsel and the Executive Director to review grant agreements and compliance of restricted funding. 
• Working with the organization’s financial management firm to track restricted funding from grants and other funders to maintain up-to-date reporting requirements as per grant agreements. 

Special Events and Campaigns: 

• Developing special cultivation and stewardship opportunities, such as small events for select donors/prospects in the portfolio. 
• Partnering with other staff, volunteers, and Board members on management of special events that offer the opportunity to attract and develop relationships with supporters and donors.
• Managing revenue-generating events including calendaring deadlines for sponsorship solicitations and invitation production and mailing; coordinating vendors; arranging volunteers; and executing an event that meets revenue goals. 
• Attending ACLU functions and statewide meetings, such as the annual membership meeting and other ACLU events as requested. 
• Serving as a representative of the organization at external events and meetings, as needed. 

Database and Information Management: 

• Managing Development Assistant to ensure a comprehensive understanding of our database. 
• Overseeing the hygiene of the database to ensure that all appropriate information is entered consistently and in a timely manner. 
• Supervising gift processing to ensure donors are acknowledged within two weeks of giving. 
• Recording key relationship activities in our database and portfolios to create relevant reports that further our development activities and keep the Executive Director and Board of Directors well informed. 

Budget and Financial Support: 

• Developing and managing a cost-effective budget for expenses related to fundraising; 
• Drafting development reports and presentations to staff and Board of Directors. 
• Providing accurate revenue reports to provide goals and projections to inform the budgeting process. 
• Monitoring development expenditures and reconciling local records with the national database monthly and annually. 
• Producing necessary reports for auditors and reconciliation of funds, if asked. 
• Ensuring development department activities conform to organizational policies and financial accounting practices. 

General Staff Leadership: 

• Bringing the development lens to all parts of the organization. 
• Model organizational values in the Development program while meeting revenue goals. 
• Collaborating with senior leadership to build passion and commitment toward common goals. 
• Participating in ACLU organizational and development trainings offered throughout the year. 

Competencies 

• Critical Thinking: Ability to make substantial contributions on behalf of the Development program in matters of complex planning and coordination, including organizational strategic planning and formation of cross-departmental project teams.
• Decision Making: A member of the Management team that uses organizational vision and mission to set goals and execute strategy; develop and implement tactics; assume ownership and exercise a high degree of discretion 
• Leadership: Manages the Development program 
• Performance Feedback: Able to provide critical and effective feedback to both staff and executive team. 
• Training: Organizational and staff development expertise including demonstrated success building strong teams and cultures defined by excellence, professionalism, trust and respect 
• Organization: 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. 

Additional Skills 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience developing successfully written donor communications and marketing materials. 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, to diverse audiences and in a variety of contexts. Demonstrated ability to simplify complex themes and activities into a short, compelling presentation or written piece. • The ability and willingness to travel regularly throughout Kentucky and the possession of a valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle. 
• Computer proficiency, including list/database management. 
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and irregular hours. 

Experience and Qualifications 

• The Development Director must have extraordinary leadership skills and demonstrate a commitment to civil rights and civil liberties consistent with the mission and goals of the ACLU with the following qualifications: 
• Management experience and effectively handling multiple priorities and projects; 
• At least 5 years of demonstrated ability to manage and work with a professional staff and to motivate and interact with multi-racial, multi-generational activists and ACLU of Kentucky leaders; 
• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in nonprofit fundraising focusing on individual major gifts; weight will be given to candidates who have worked for advocacy and statewide organizations and have a track record of cultivating diverse donors. 
• A proven track record of securing donor visits; soliciting, closing, and stewarding leadership and major gifts. 
• Experience in working collaboratively with other team members; Strong interpersonal skills, cross-cultural competency, and confidence making donor contacts in diverse communities. 
• A commitment to diversity and equity, and a personal approach that values individuals and their differences. 

Compensation 

The annual salary for this position is $97,200 

We understand how vital our work is and at the same time understand the toll engaged activism can take. Our goal is to retain staff, and we believe that having a robust benefit offering is vital in meeting that goal. Our benefits include paid vacation in addition to 20 office holidays, a monthly All-Staff Day of Rest, and four floating holidays scheduled at the employee’s discretion; paid sick leave, fully employer-paid medical, vision and dental insurance for staff members, life and long-term disability insurance; 401(k) plan with employer match; and FSA Healthcare savings plan options. The ACLU of Kentucky is a hybrid work environment that allows employees to select a work track (in-person, hybrid, or remote) that meets their needs and the responsibilities of the role. The Development Director will be required to work in person for organizational events, activities, and donor meetings and is not eligible for the remote work track.  

How to Apply 

To apply, please send the following to [email protected] (All attachments should be in .doc or .pdf format): 

• Letter of interest/cover letter should include information about your experience in fundraising for organizations and the strategies you are most experienced in. 
• CV/Resume 
• Three professional references (relationship, email address, and phone numbers) 

The priority deadline for applications is April 25, 2025. Applications will be accepted after this date, but applicants may not be contacted if a successful candidate is identified. 

Accommodations 

The ACLU of Kentucky is an equal-opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. ACLU-KY 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, veteran status, and record of arrest or conviction. 

We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodations in the application process to contact: T Gonzales, Deputy Director, [email protected].