Director of Development

BACKGROUND AND MISSION

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and organizing to achieve racial equity. 

For over 30 years, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago (“Advancing Justice | Chicago”) has worked to bring together the Asian American community and create change in our communities. We are deeply committed to grassroots community organizing and we invest in the leadership of grassroots community members through trainings, community education, civic engagement, and collaborative issue-based campaigns. In order to strengthen our work and transform the inequities in our city, state, and Midwest region, we work with multiracial coalitions that emphasize racial equity, accountability to those most impacted, and an infrastructure of grassroots leadership. Our advocacy work focuses on promoting racial, economic, and immigrant justice, including initiatives in the areas of voting rights, language access, education equity, criminal justice, and immigrant rights. 

As part of the national Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation, Advancing Justice | Chicago is a leader in the nationwide Asian American movement. Regionally, Advancing Justice | Chicago is prioritizing the Midwest region and collaborating with partners across Midwestern states to tackle common struggles and build collective power. 

Founded in 2018, Asian American Midwest Progressives (“AAMP”) endorses progressive candidates, mobilizes Asian American voters, and holds elected officials accountable through issue-based campaigns. Currently, AAMP organizes in Illinois and Ohio. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

The Director of Development will play a key role in Advancing Justice | Chicago and AAMP’s growth, leading the design, implementation, and continued development of a comprehensive fundraising strategy. The Director will work closely with the Executive Director and Deputy Director and supervise the Development team. This position reports to the Deputy Director.

This position will fall under the staff sharing agreement between Advancing Justice | Chicago and Asian American Midwest Progressives (AAMP) so a portion of time may be spent on 501(c)(4) activities including partisan political work. 

Key Advancing Justice | Chicago Responsibilities: 

• Work closely with the Executive Director and the senior leadership team to ensure that the organization is serving its mission, achieving organizational goals, maintaining healthy culture, and in compliance with the collective bargaining agreement; 
• Provide strategic, visionary leadership to meet an annual fundraising goal of $2.3M through foundations, corporate giving, external partnerships, and individual donors; 
• Supervise the Development Team, which currently consists of two Development Managers, who manage the foundation portfolio and individual giving campaigns, respectively;  
• Manage fundraising efforts of the Board of Directors and hold Board members accountable to annual fundraising goals; 
• Develop and execute a new major donor strategy; 
• Cultivate external and corporate partnerships through matching gifts, corporate grants or sponsorships, and speaking engagements and trainings;  
• Evaluate and report the outcomes of fundraising campaigns, including data on gifts, donor retention, etc.;  
• Manage resource development infrastructure, including internal budgeting, donation payment platforms, donor data management, mailings, etc.; 
• Work with Development Manager to ensure consistent donor engagement through fundraising events and creative external partnerships, including our annual #doughsomething third-party fundraising campaign; 
• Oversee foundation & grant process (led by Development Manager) and cultivate new funder relationships; 
• Participate in foundation or corporate site visits as needed; 
• Work with the Asian Americans Advancing Justice national affiliation to engage national and shared funding opportunities; 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Key Asian American Midwest Progressives Responsibilities: 

• Work closely with Executive Director and Development Team to build an aligned fundraising strategy across Advancing Justice | Chicago and AAMP, particularly as relates to individual donors; 
• Support AAMP Board of Directors in planning and executing annual summer fundraising event; 
• Support Development Manager in prospecting new potential AAMP institutional funders. 

Required Qualifications: 

As both a senior leadership team member and a public face of Advancing Justice | Chicago, the Director of Development should demonstrate a unique blend of qualities and skills that reflect a passion and commitment to the organization’s mission, including the following: 

• Strong belief in the mission of the organization and deep commitment to advancing racial equity; 
• At least 4-5 years of relevant experience, including experience supervising direct report(s); 
• Experience in grant writing and reviewing grant applications and reports; 
• Experience cultivating major donors and implementing an individual giving strategy; 
• History of working closely with a Board of Directors to reach/increase their fundraising goals; 
• Excellent public speaking and ability to tailor external communications with various external audiences; 
• Skilled at establishing and cultivating strong relationships with peers and across different levels of the organization and externally; 
• Experience with coaching or mentoring individuals for leadership and professional development purposes; 
• Excellent organizational skills, highly responsive, and detail-oriented; 
• Strong proficiency with CRM and communication platforms, including Salesforce, Mailchimp, Zoom, Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and others as needed; 
• Comfort in and flexibility with learning new technologies and data platforms; 
• Event planning and/or project management experience; 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, discretion, and professionalism; 
• Ability to effectively multi-task, work well with others under pressure, and creatively adapt strategies and tactics as needed; 
• Ability to work collaboratively with multi-ethnic, multi-generational, or multi-sector communities; 
• Excellent oral and written communications skills and ability to persuade others; 
• Willingness to travel out-of-town and work evenings or weekends as needed (flex time is offered for evening and weekend work). 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Strong vision of how grassroots organizing serves the organization’s mission; 
• A deep understanding of racial equity and intersectionality; 
• Experience in budget tracking and projecting; 
• Knowledge of the history of Asian Americans and the progressive movement; 
• Background in an issue area relevant to Advancing Justice | Chicago. 

COMPENSATION 

The salary range is $85,000 to $95,000, depending on experience. A full benefits package is included.

INQUIRY AND APPLICATION PROCESS 

Applications should be submitted electronically via email to work@advancingjustice-chicago.org and include: 

• Cover letter describing interest in the position, qualifications, and expectations, 
• Resume; 
• Two writing samples of your choosing; and 
• Names, contact information, and relationship for three references who can speak the range of qualifications sought, including a recent supervisee/direct report. 
• Please include “Director of Development Application” in the subject line of your email.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but applications received by July 31, 2024 will be prioritized.  

Note: Given the COVID-19 pandemic, Advancing Justice | Chicago and AAMP staff are currently working in-person at our Uptown office two days a week (Tue/Thu) with optional work-from-home three days a week (Mon/Weds/Fri), which is subject to change. If you are invited for an interview, the interview may be held in person or over video conference.  

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago and Asian American Midwest Progressives are equal opportunity/affirmative action employers. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, height, weight, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, marital or domestic partner status, or religious affiliation.