This is a full time (40 hours) position. This position is based in Oklahoma. Compensation for this position is within the range of $65,000- $85,000 depending on experience with benefits that include paid vacation, medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), life and long-term disability insurance, and generous paid holidays.
THE WORK OF ACLU OF OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION
The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma is a nonprofit, non-partisan, privately funded organization devoted exclusively to the defense and promotion of the individual rights secured by the U.S. and Oklahoma constitutions.
The ACLU of Oklahoma is an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, a national not-for- profit, non-partisan, voluntary organization founded in 1920. The ACLU is a nationwide network of staffed offices in every state, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Its purpose is to protect those rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The Oklahoma affiliate was established in 1964 and opened its first headquarters in 1973.
The ACLU of Oklahoma has a proud history of advocating in Oklahoma for the rights of institutionalized persons; educators; students; persons who speak out against governmental abuse; women; and minorities of religious, ethnic, or racial character.
ACLU of Oklahoma works closely with its national headquarters in New York, its national lobbying office in Washington, D.C., and affiliates in every state across the country and Puerto Rico. It also works in coalition with many other organizations to improve the quality of life for all by preserving freedom.
ABOUT THE POSITION:
Working closely with the Executive Director, the Development Director will lead, plan, and execute the ACLU of Oklahoma’s major gifts program and other fundraising initiatives.
The right candidate will provide visionary, strategic leadership to build and strengthen lifelong relationships between donors and the organization, toward a goal of generating transformational gifts to support the ACLU of Oklahoma’s current and future strategic goals.
The Development Director works collaboratively with the Executive Director and is charged with developing and overseeing the program to raise funds for the Oklahoma office, including identifying prospects that have both capacity and demonstrated interest in investing in the ACLU to generate longstanding, tangible victories. Working closely with the Executive Director, other staff and Board members, and national ACLU staff, the Development Director is responsible for planning, supervising, and executing the affiliate’s leadership and major gifts program, focusing on donors with the capacity to give $1,000 and above annually.
Our team is excited to find someone who is energized by meeting and talking to donors and prospects. The ideal candidate sees an opportunity for connection everywhere, enjoys stretching the circle wider and figuring out different ways that people can come together to support our fundraising goals.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop and execute a comprehensive, strategic, donor-centered fundraising program that includes specific fundraising goals and targets, with a focus on the acquisition of leadership gifts ($5,000 + annually) from high level prospects and donors.
- Manage a portfolio of 10-20 major donors and prospects.
- Research and identify prospects for cultivation and solicitation to expand our major donor pool.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive annual grant management program.
- Work closely with the Advocacy Department and others in the development of messages, materials, and explanations of our work used in strategic donor communications, including the development of the Annual Report, Year-End- Appeal, and other communications that advance the ACLU’s mission and visibility to donors.
- Create and implement 12–18-month strategies for identification/qualification through solicitation and stewardship.
- Manage effective systems of data entry and donor records, donor recognition, and tracking of all fundraising.
- Prepare regular fundraising and department activity reports for the ACLU of Oklahoma board and staff; attend board meetings at the Executive Director’s request.
- Engage in face-to-face solicitations with major gift prospects, both directly and in partnership with the Executive Director and program staff.
- Collaborate with the ACLU national development team to pursue key individuals for leadership and planned gifts.
- Maintain active familiarity with the ACLU’s programs and positions;
- represent the ACLU of Oklahoma in public gatherings as needed.
- Participate in national development trainings as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Demonstrated commitment to the goals of the ACLU and advancement of civil liberties;
- At least 3-5 years of experience managing a complex, nonprofit development program and a proven track record of soliciting, closing, and stewarding major leadership gifts, planned giving, and grant writing;
- At least 3 years of experience in soliciting major gifts, including asks at the $10,000+ level, preferably as a major gifts officer or development director;
- Demonstrated experience developing long-term cultivation and solicitation strategies for high-level prospects and donors;
- Broad understanding of multi-faceted campaign planning, implementation, and management;
- Superb leadership, interpersonal, oral, written communication, and presentation skills; demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, comfortably, and respectfully with donors, staff, and lay leaders, as demonstrated by the ability to synthesize and present complex themes and activities in a digestible and compelling way, whether in conversation or in print;
- Ability to work well with people and as a part of a team in a collaborative environment;
- Demonstrated ability to juggle and prioritize many concurrent tasks at once, manage a high-volume workload, pay extremely close attention to detail, adapt quickly to changing organizational priorities, and meet moving deadlines;
- Experience and comfort with donor database management and systems to track donor history, interests, and activity;
- A commitment to equity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance, and ability to work with diverse individuals within the organization and broader community;
- Ability to travel as well as the flexibility to work as needed to accomplish the organization’s fundraising goals;
- Flexibility and a willingness to take on new tasks as the responsibilities of the position evolve;
- A confident and professional work style and the ability to work independently and to exercise good judgment; a strong sense of humor and a faculty for handling stressful situations with grace and maturity is a must;
- Knowledge of budgeting and financial management principles;
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
TO APPLY:
Please compile the following information into one pdf:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
Applicants who are given an interview may be asked to provide references or asked to have their references submit feedback to prompted questions.
Applications will be reviewed as received. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The position will remain open until filled.
Complete applications should be emailed as an attachment to tcox-toure@acluok.org with a subject line of “Development Director.”