VP of Development & Engagement

Mar 9

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Inc.
Chicago, IL

Anticipated Start Date: 4/1

Description

The VP of Advancement & Engagement will lead fundraising strategy and execution during a critical growth phase, building revenue from $3.2M to $4-4.5M while laying groundwork for regional expansion. This role requires someone who can both personally cultivate major gifts and build scalable systems—a strategic fundraiser who leverages technology to multiply impact. This is a role for someone who takes initiative and thinks strategically. You'll anticipate opportunities, navigate challenges proactively, and serve as a true partner to the Executive Director and senior leadership team. In this moment—when state-level civil rights litigation is more critical than ever—you'll help ensure we have the resources to keep cases moving and communities protected.

You’ll work directly with the Executive Director and board members to deepen law firm partnerships, grow individual giving from an under-tapped prospect base, secure foundation support across Illinois, Indiana, and nationally, and create infrastructure that allows a small team to punch above its weight.

What You’ll Get

You’ll join a senior leadership team that's smart, mission-driven, and committed to your success. The Executive Director is deeply invested in professional development and will be a thought partner in your growth. You'll inherit strong relationships in Chicago's legal and philanthropic communities—law firm managing partners who take your calls, foundation officers who know and respect CLC's work, and 600+ pro bono attorneys who are potential donors. You'll work on something that matters. You're not raising money for overhead—you're funding litigation that challenges voter suppression in real time, fair housing cases that are changing the market, and the legal infrastructure that protects constitutional rights across 61 million people in the Midwest. You'll see the direct line between your work and impact. And you'll build something.

This isn’t a maintenance role—you’re creating the development infrastructure for regional civil rights work at a moment when it's desperately needed. You'll have the opportunity to build an individual giving program from the ground up. CLC has strong recent wins in individual giving, but the infrastructure—donor journeys, stewardship systems, recurring giving programs—still needs to be built. You won't be inheriting someone else's system; you'll create one that works. You'll have the autonomy to innovate, the support to take smart risks, and the resources to build a program that lasts.

What Success Looks Like (Year One)

chieve $4-4.5M in total revenue across all streams
Secure 2-3 new institutional funders above $50K, including at least one Indiana-based funder and one national funder
Grow individual giving by 50%+ (from ~$130K to $175K+) by building foundational infrastructure and activating large prospect list
Add 2-3 new law firm members and increase overall membership revenue to $440K
Execute a $600K Gala (net $400K) with high-profile keynote
Develop compelling case for support for Midwest Voting Rights Program expansion
Create and execute engagement strategies that build broader movement participation
Build CRM infrastructure and donor analytics capacity

Responsibilities

Strategic Fundraising Leadership

Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategy across foundations, individual donors, law firms, events, and planned giving
Personally cultivate and solicit major gifts ($10K+)
Build relationships with managing partners and pro bono directors at member firms
Identify and pursue new institutional funding opportunities across Chicago, Indiana, and national landscape
Lead Gala and Power of Connection symposium fundraising
Leverage existing professional networks in Chicago philanthropic, legal, and civic communities to open doors
Represent CLC at community events, conferences, and networking opportunities
Attend fundraising events in evenings and occasional weekends as needed

Requirements

Required Qualifications

7-10 years of professional fundraising experience, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role
Proven track record of personally soliciting and closing five- and six-figure gifts
Experience managing and growing multiple revenue streams simultaneously
Demonstrated ability to build donor relationships and ask for money comfortably
Experience building individual giving programs, not just maintaining existing ones
Track record of converting prospects into donors and donors into major donors
Based in Chicago with established networks in local philanthropic, legal, or civic communities
Strong existing relationships that can be leveraged for CLC's mission
Strong understanding of CRM systems and data-driven fundraising
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently while collaborating across a small team
Comfort with evening and weekend event attendance (approximately 6-10 events per year)
Commitment to racial justice and civil rights mission

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

$115,000 - $125,000 (commensurate with experience)

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match
Generous PTO (15-20 days) plus sick leave and holidays
Professional development support
Flexible hybrid work arrangement (Chicago-based, in office 3-4 days/week)
Schedule includes some evening and weekend events

How to Apply for this Job

Please send resume and cover letter to Elesha Jackson at ejackson@clccrul.org with the subject line “VP of Advancement & Engagement.”

Review of applications will begin Wednesday, March 11, 2026. We will continue to accept applications until a candidate is selected.

About the Organization

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights is a non-partisan, non-profit group of civil rights lawyers and advocates working to secure racial equity and economic opportunity for all. We provide legal representation through partnerships with the private bar, and we collaborate with grassroots organizations and other advocacy groups to implement community-based solutions that advance civil rights. For more than 55 years, we've partnered with 30+ leading law firms to provide high-impact legal representation in voting rights, fair housing, education equity, and economic justice.

Our model generates millions in donated legal services annually: we recruit, train, and support volunteer attorneys who work alongside our legal team on impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community-based legal support. We operate across Illinois and Indiana as the only Lawyers’ Committee affiliate in the Midwest—a region of 61 million people. After successfully replacing $400,000 in lost federal funding in 2025, we're positioned to expand our regional footprint at a moment when state-level civil rights enforcement has never been more critical.

WOC is not responsible for the content of job postings.