The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky

Position Announcement
Development Director
April 2008

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky Foundation (ACLU) seeks an experienced leader to serve as Development Director. The Development Director is responsible for coordinating programs that secure increased and sustainable resources, and for strengthening the relationships between the ACLU and its supporters. Working closely with the Executive Director, the Development Director is responsible for planning, supervising, and executing the ACLU’s major gifts program and leading the progression and expansion of ACLU’s fundraising strategies.

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 privacy, discrimination, free speech, religious freedom, reproductive rights, and the rights of gay, lesbian bisexual and transgender individuals.

To learn more about the work of the ACLU and the civil liberties principles we uphold, please visit www.aclu-ky.org and www.aclu.org

Primary Responsibilities:

Major Gifts Program: Identify, develop, and implement strategies for the cultivation of prospective donors; train 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 fundraising goals and targets for proposals, appeals, and campaigns with the Executive Director; write targeted fundraising appeals with the Executive Director, and prepare reports.

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

Membership Recruitment: Participate in preparing an annual membership recruitment and retention plan, and provide guidance and oversight in its implementation.

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.

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 ACLU National Office regarding changes and updates. Assure the proper recording, tracking, acknowledgement and reporting of gifts from major donors. Become proficient in National ACLU sharing formulas and related matters; produce reports for annual audits, and verify reconciliation of funds between the ACLU of Kentucky and the National Office.

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.

Materials: Maintain primary responsibility for developing the messages, materials, and explanations of our work that are used in all of the development campaigns. Oversee the development of an annual report and other materials that advance the ACLU’s development programs.

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 progressively responsible development experience. Experience in non-profit, advocacy or other community-based groups is valuable. CFRE accreditation desirable.
• Demonstrated interest in, enthusiasm for, and commitment to the mission and principles of the ACLU.
• Strong interpersonal skills and comfort working with donors, Board members, volunteers, and staff.
• Evidence of a commitment and an understanding of how to work effectively in and with diverse communities; a personal approach that values the individual and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socio-economic circumstance.
• Ability to travel throughout the state and to manage and accommodate a work schedule that will include evening and weekend commitments.
• Experience in successfully directing volunteers, and demonstrated leadership skills and ability to motivate others.
• 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.
• A confident, business-like and professional presentation
• 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.

Personal Attributes:

• Initiative
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Good problem solving skills
• Strong Communicator
• Strong facilitator
• Creative
• Collaborative
• Constructive
• Strategic
• Commitment to high standards of quality
• Respectful of others
• Organized
• Flexible
• Determined

Compensation:
The ACLU of Kentucky offers an excellent benefit package including paid vacation, medical and dental insurance, pension plan, and generous paid holidays, commensurate to experience.

To Apply:
Please send letters of interest, resume, three professional references, and a one or two page business writing sample to:

Development Director Search Committee
ACLU of Kentucky
c/o Michael Aldridge
315 Guthrie Street Suite 300
Louisville, KY 40202
or
by email to michael@aclu-ky.org

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, which will not be before April 25, 2008. 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