Feb 23rd, 2024
Cabrini Green Legal Aid
Development Associate - Donor Relations and Special Events
( Illinois | Hybrid )
About the Organization
Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA) was established in 1973 to serve the legal needs arising from the lack of opportunity, criminalization of poverty, and racial inequity experienced within Chicago's Cabrini Green public housing community. Since then, CGLA has grown beyond a single neighborhood to become a citywide, countywide, and statewide leader in holistic legal services, legal information and resources, and advocacy exclusively for low-income individuals negatively impacted by the criminal legal system. Any engagement with the criminal legal system can greatly disrupt an individual, family, and community's quality of life.
CGLA is distinguished among legal aid service providers locally, throughout Illinois, and nationally as having expertise in legal matters related to the direct and collateral consequences of the criminal legal system. Since 2014, we have been the sole legal aid services provider serving Cook County with the distinction of focusing exclusively on individuals and families who have been adversely impacted by the criminal legal system in all our legal program areas: criminal records, criminal defense, housing law, and family law. We provide direct legal services, advocate for policy reforms, and provide legal information and resources to other legal aid organizations, pro bono attorneys, and the general public. We also support our clients holistically with wraparound social services from our social workers. Our policy and advocacy work is not performed as a separate entity; rather it is informed by our legal services and the lived experiences of our Leadership Council, an Advisory Group made up of former CGLA clients and community members directly impacted by the criminal legal system.
CGLA’s Mission, Purpose and Vision
Mission: We provide holistic legal services that include social support services and advocacy for individuals and communities negatively impacted by the criminal legal system.
Purpose: CGLA exists to remove barriers to equity in the criminal legal system.
Vision: A more just and equitable criminal legal system.
Job Description
Position Overview
The Development Associate is responsible for the administrative functions of the Development department in support of the Director of Development’s vision and strategy to support fundraising for the organization. The Development Associate will assist with donor relations and engagement, development-related communications, donation tracking, and fundraising activities, including direct mailings and special events. The Associate will also assist with other administrative tasks and research related to grants and firm/corporate sponsorships. This position will work closely with the Director of Development and other staff members to identify potential funding, track progress for fundraising campaigns, and assist with managing the development database (Salesforce).
Essential Duties:
Donor and Data Management
Create and maintain donor profiles and records, as well as acknowledge and communicate with all donors, including all direct and electronic mailings and appeals to individual donors annually.
Maintain accurate records of all donations to create tax-deductible donation receipts for donors.
Maintain Salesforce database of all revenue sources. Troubleshoot database issues as needed.
Maintain the accuracy and integrity of donor database (Salesforce) by ensuring that all information is kept current and up-to-date. Regularly communicate with the Finance Department to ensure revenue information related to development is accurate and current.
Create, enhance, and maintain regular donation reports as requested by the Director of Development and Executive Director.
Assist with the annual year-end fundraising campaign and appeal process, including assisting with direct mailings, social media and email communications, holiday mailings, and online donations.
Grants and Sponsorships Support
Support grant writing efforts, reporting, and site visits with funders.
Support with administrative tasks related to corporate/firm sponsorships.
Research new opportunities with foundations & corporations based upon CGLA’s priorities for all programs and operational support services.
Special Events Coordination
Provide administrative support to Development staff, committees, and volunteers before, during, and after fundraising campaigns and events.
Draft and send out all event-related correspondence (e.g., sponsorship solicitations, acknowledgement letters, invitations, honoree requests, etc.)
Draft and implement plans for all marketing and communications related to fundraising campaigns and events (emails, social media, individual contacts, etc.)
Communications and Other Administrative Supports
Assist with development-related communications, including creating and implementing plans for using electronic and print communications to raise CGLA’s profile among donors, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
Assist in developing annual reports, newsletters, and brochures, and managing social media related to development.
Ensure all development-related communications adhere to approved branding and key message strategies.
Performs basic administrative duties such as filing, data entry, maintaining a filing system and more.
Other Duties
Performs other duties as assigned.
Education
Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university
Experience
A demonstrated commitment to social justice and criminal legal systems change;
At least 1 year of administrative, development, or nonprofit experience;
Experience with donor relationship cultivation and stewardship;
Experience using social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.);
Strong track record of success;
Knowledge of Salesforce Development Software, preferable.
Required Skills
Strong organizational and project management skills. Able to manage multiple projects and a variety of tasks while being energized by a fast-paced, team-centered environment.
Detail-oriented and demonstrated ability in planning and implementing long- and short-range development initiatives to meet established priorities.
Excellent interpersonal skills and eagerness to work in a team environment;
Proficient in Microsoft Word & Excel (basic to intermediate knowledge required)
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Database and records management skills. Knowledge of Salesforce Development Software is a plus.
Ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare reports and other materials.
Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate activities and special events.
Supervisory Responsibility
Supervise the work of 1-2 Development Team interns.
Required Hours
Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm, 40 hours per week. NOTE: Non-traditional hours – occasional weekends and evenings – are required.
Physical Requirements
Sit for long periods of time
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Understand the speech of another person.
Must be able to work in a stressful work environment.
The employee is regularly required to sit, walk, talk, read, see and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to type, handle, or feel and reach. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Travel Requirements
Must travel to attend occasional meetings at CGLA’s office (6 S. Clark Street, Chicago), development fundraising events, and off-site donor or funder meetings.
Working Conditions
CGLA has implemented a telecommuter and flexible work policy that allows employees to perform work remotely at the employee’s home or at an approved offsite location. This position will be a hybrid and will require some in-person meetings and activities. While working in the office, you must be able to work in an open office setting with moderate noise levels and follow all COVID-19 safety protocols. Employee must have reliable internet access to work remotely. Telecommuting and the Flexible Work policy is at the Supervisors discretion to approve or deny an employee’s request for remote work based on job or business-related criteria.
Benefits
We offer a generous benefits plan that includes Blue Cross Blue Shield - Health insurance, Vision Service Plan – Vision insurance, Principal Dental insurance and 100% employer paid life insurance, (EAP) Employee Assistance Program, Dependent Care and Medical Flexible spending accounts, Pet insurance, Pre-Tax Programs for parking, local transit for Ventra and Metra and UberPool, and Vanguard 403(b) retirement account. Additionally, CGLA offers generous Paid Time-off, Wellness Days, 14 paid holidays per year, and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day off. During the summer months we celebrate Summer Fridays by closing the office early.
Contact email for applicants sydneyhaney@cgla.net