Development Associate

Jun 9

Anticipated Start Date: 9/1/25

Description

The ACLU of Montana seeks a full-time Development Associate to support our major gifts program. Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy, this role manages day-to-day development operations including donor database management, contribution processing, donor acknowledgments, and revenue tracking. The position also coordinates system improvements and special projects like mailings and events.

Ideal candidate: Detail-oriented, data-driven professional with strong organizational and communication skills. Understanding of or experience working within a mission-driven organization and ability to manage multiple priorities in a collaborative team environment are essential. We encourage applications from candidates with historically excluded identities who believe they could excel in this role.

Responsibilities

Database Administration, Gift Processing, and Data Analysis

Oversee all tasks related to data quality and integrity, and the maintenance of accurate constituent records in the donor database. Ensure timely gift processing and acknowledgments on a weekly basis, including communication with donors, finance team, and donor database. Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports that use data to evaluate development department progress toward goals. Collaborate on monthly, quarterly, and annual income reconciliation between Salesforce (donor database) and QuickBooks (accounting software) with the finance team. Play a leadership role with annual income reconciliation with National ACLU, finance team, and annual audit requests. Assist with any donor database needs to support all stewardship, event, and solicitation mailings done within the affiliate. Participate in weekly and monthly National ACLU development learning communities and ad hoc training opportunities to keep informed of best practices, trends, and opportunities for program improvements.

Portfolio Management

Execute strong project management of quarterly portfolio strategy meetings, including leading process of organizing a high volume of tasks for roughly 125 donors across three portfolios. Serve as the department point-person for annual portfolio reset process with National ACLU, and portfolio assignment decisions on a quarterly basis following department strategy meetings. Run and analyze monthly task reports for out-the-door fundraisers (Director of Philanthropy and Executive Director). Draft donor and prospect strategy memos for front-line fundraisers, including elements of prospect research. Ensure accurate and timely data entry following interactions with donors. Gather technical information (financial statements, budget, board/staff list, etc.) required for grant applications. Work in collaboration with staff leading grant work to ensure timely management of grant reports and proposals. Support the Director of Philanthropy with Philanthropy Council activities, including coordinating calendars, helping to craft meeting agendas, learning to lead prospecting conversations, and converting ideas to clear action plans. Assist in the coordination of meeting and travel logistics for the out-the-door fundraising team.

Donor and Member Relations

Update content of gift acknowledgement letter on bi-monthly basis. Respond to high-volume, basic donor inquiries via email and phone. Conduct monthly donor qualification phone calls to gain experience in front-line fundraising, steward prospective major donors with a touch-point, and identify possible new donors to include in portfolio work based on a variety of key metrics. Lead all project management and significant tasks (including some limited writing of compelling copy) for periodic development department Zoom events and orchestrate the development department components of organization-wide events.

Staff Teamwork and Collaboration

Collaborate with other departments of the ACLU of Montana, as necessary, to support legal, policy and organizing work, communications and storytelling, grant proposals and funding opportunities, administrative tasks, and other related work. Ensure all administrative tasks are completed in a timely and accurate manner, including, but not limited to, travel and other expense reimbursements, timesheets, and other related financial and personnel documents. Actively engage with the ACLU of Montana team through regular staff meetings, continuing racial equity and inclusion work, professional development opportunities, occasional retreats, and periodic committees. Attend periodic ACLU functions. Assist in other duties as assigned within the scope of these responsibilities.

Competency and Commitment to Racial Equity

The ACLU of Montana is committed to, and engaging in, ongoing racial equity work with an emphasis on anti-racism and anti-colonialism. As a staff member, you will be asked to commit, contribute and engage in the following ways: Demonstrate commitment to building or deepening understanding of equity, in which racial equity and anti-racism and anti-colonialism are centered. Engage with the issues of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities. Embrace self-learning and reflection through optional racial employee resource group conversations, activities, and support.

Within the scope of the position, understand, explore, and utilize concepts such as structural racism, settler colonialism, anti-Blackness, Indigeneity, restorative justice, gender bias, whiteness, and other related topics: To confront how race impacts supervisory relationships, team dynamics, organizational culture and how biases impact our individual and/or teamwork. To engage in honest, thoughtful conversations about racial equity through a restorative justice approach that accepts feedback openly, non-defensively, emphasizing learning and healing, while balancing accountability.

Requirements

The following experiences are integral to meeting job responsibilities. Please be sure to identify and highlight these in your application and throughout the hiring process. We deeply value lived experience in addition to any professional, volunteer, or coursework experience related to the items described below. If you have very strong skills in one area, but fewer skills in another area, you are encouraged to apply and share your plan for building an individual personal development plan that grows and complements your existing skill set.

Expertise using any Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database, or large data-set, for data entry and reporting purposes; Significant experience working with various softwares, including, but not limited to PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Canva, Slack, and Asana (or similar systems);
Exceptional skill with project management, specifically working within a team advancing toward a larger goal; Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy; The ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines; Commitment to good customer service, confidentiality, and accuracy of sensitive records;
Must be available for periodic weekend and evening responsibilities; Commitment to building and deepening understanding of equity, in which an anti-racism and anti-colonialism lens are centered.
Understanding and willingness to engage with the issues of institutional and structural racism and bias, and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

This position is full-time, exempt, and will pay an annual salary of between $73,00 and $77,000, depending on experience.

Excellent benefits offered, including health, vision and dental insurance, short and long-term disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan and employer matching, and generous vacation, holiday, sabbatical, and family and medical leave policies.

Relocation reimbursements for actual moving expenses are available up to $4,000, contingent on two years’ employment. A monthly reimbursement for personal mobile phone and internet is offered to all ACLU employees. The ACLU of Montana also invests in each staff member’s professional development.

The position is fully remote, based anywhere in Montana. There is optional access to co-working spaces in select cities. Candidates based in other states must be willing to relocate to Montana within the first three months of the start date. All staff are required to meet quarterly for in-person workdays held across the state. Additionally, this position will require travel for occasional events across the state. ACLU of Montana pays for work related travel expenses, including in-person days.

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About the Organization

The ACLU dares to create a more perfect union — beyond one person, party, or side.

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