Donor Engagement Associate

Jun 9

Anticipated Start Date: 8/1/2025

Description

The Donor Engagement Associate aids the organization in meeting its ambitious fundraising goals, which help power the organization’s legal, legislative and advocacy work. The focus of this role is to provide general administrative support to the Development department, assist in production of development content; handle logistics and help ensure smooth execution for fundraising events; coordinate with external vendors; and assist in the cultivation, prospecting, and maintenance of a select donor portfolio. This position reports to and works closely with the Deputy Development Director for Leadership Gifts and partners with other ACLUM colleagues to achieve development objectives.

The ideal candidate for this position brings a strong interest in relationship management and operational excellence; enjoys project coordination from inception to completion, as well as a blend of administrative work and event and donor logistics; and is comfortable working collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Strong applicants will have demonstrated the ability to perform high quality donor outreach, including bringing individuals through the donor lifecycle.

Responsibilities

This position reports to and works closely with the Deputy Development Director for Leadership Gifts and partners with other ACLUM colleagues to achieve development objectives. The ideal candidate for this position brings a strong interest in relationship management and operational excellence; enjoys project coordination from inception to completion, as well as a blend of administrative work and event and donor logistics; and is comfortable working collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Strong applicants will have demonstrated the ability to perform high quality donor outreach, including bringing individuals through the donor lifecycle.

Essential Duties Administrative Support

Provide general, day-to-day administrative support to the Development department, including clerical and logistical tasks. Provide scheduling assistance for departmental and Development-hosted meetings; coordinate with other ACLUM support staff and external parties to make arrangements, as required. Assist in preparing meeting agendas, take minutes, and capture and track action items. Coordinate meeting logistics, including booking space, distributing materials, assembling materials, arranging catering, handling AV setup and related support for participants, and shepherding in-person guests. Enter and maintain departmental project information in the project management database to assist the team in planning, meeting preparation, and adherence to deadlines. Interface with the Finance department to ensure payment of departmental contract and vendor invoices. Provide backup for the department in general operations support activities, as needed.

Event

Support Coordinate planning, logistics, and internal communications for ACLUM donor engagement and other events hosted by the Development department, including donor salons, town halls, insider briefings, and the annual fundraising dinner. Assist in defining the purpose, target audience, and goals for Development-led events. Manage pre-event activities, including identifying and working with venues and external vendors, mailing invitations and other information, creating web forms to solicit and track RSVPs, and coordinating event-day logistics. Serve as the primary liaison between ACLUM and contracted event planners for the affiliate’s main fundraising events: Bill of Rights Dinner, President’s Council Dinner, Next Gen fundraising event, and ‘Thank You Legal’ appreciation event.

Donor Engagement

Aid in pipeline management and solicitations for the ACLUM Foundation Funders (AFF) portfolio, including annual appeals, stewardship, and other such activities. Partner with the Development Operations Associate to perform research and data analysis to qualify new donor prospects. Aid in the creation of development content in coordination with the Communications team, including first-time donor emails, calendar and fiscal year-end solicitation mailings, special mailings for select donors and prospects, reactionary campaign appeals, and other targeted communications. Assist in the design of programming to prospect, cultivate, and steward individual donors. Attend ticket swap events when appropriate to represent ACLUM and deepen community partnerships.

Other Responsibilities

Special projects and other tasks as assigned by the Chief Development Officer and Deputy Development Director for Leadership Gifts.

Requirements

Minimum of three years’ professional administrative experience in communications, marketing, business development, fundraising, event planning, or related function. Experience in a non-profit environment a plus.
Associate or bachelor’s degree in philanthropy, business administration, non-profit management, client relations, or related field. Experience fundraising with progressive responsibility and a proven track record of soliciting and closing gifts of $1,000 or more preferred. Skilled in small project administration, logistics, and event coordination.
Excellent interpersonal, as well as written and verbal communication skills. Strong ability to communicate effectively by email, on the phone, and in-person with donors, board members, vendors, and the general public.
Strong proficiency with information management applications (e.g., donor databases, project management applications), and Microsoft productivity tools including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint. Keen attention to detail and high-quality output.
Strong organizational skills with proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, work well under pressure, and deliver against tight deadlines. Ability to work independently and collaboratively as needed to get things done.
A track record of working well with colleagues and stakeholders at all organizational levels. Strong belief in the ACLU’s mission and work to defend and strengthen civil rights and civil liberties.
Commitment to diversity and inclusion. Respect for differences in race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability, and socio-economic background.

Key Performance Indicators

Reliability, responsiveness, and proactivity in providing administrative support to the Development department. Timeliness and accuracy in scheduling, preparation and production of materials, invoice processing, and completion of project-specific tasks.

Effectiveness in communication with donors and external partners. Effectiveness in executing donor engagement activities and handling event logistics. Quality of research and analysis in donor prospecting.

Attentiveness and proactivity in support of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Effectiveness in coordination and collaboration with ACLUM and National ACLU colleagues, as well as vendors and other third-party stakeholders.

Other Requirements

Frequent written and verbal communication. Extensive reading, preparing, and analyzing information, in hard copy and electronic format. Frequent and extended periods of being in a stationary position, in an office environment and outdoor venues. Periodic handling of mail and small packages, as well as standard office equipment (i.e., shredder, printers, postage machine). Ability to travel independently to various locations across Massachusetts. Flexibility to accommodate work outside of regular business hours when warranted, including early mornings, evenings and weekends.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience and consistent with ACLUM’s collective bargaining agreement. Estimated minimum salary of $72,000.

Benefits include 401(k) plan, medical and dental insurance, and paid vacation and holidays. Reimbursement for mileage may be provided in accordance with ACLUM policies, when applicable.

ACLUM is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, queer people, and formerly incarcerated people to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This position will be based in Boston, MA and eligible for a hybrid work schedule, being in-person an average of three days per week, with the ability to be in the office on any given day as needed and assigned.

ACLUM has a Covid-19 vaccine mandate, and candidates receiving a job offer will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Exemptions to this requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law. Applicants should be aware that fully remote work will not be deemed a reasonable accommodation. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted until the position is filled.

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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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