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Job Announcement –Director of Philanthropy
American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia
The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia (ACLU-VA) seeks a dynamic and ambitious Director of
Philanthropy to lead the affiliate’s major gifts focused fundraising program.
Formally established in 1969, the ACLU-VA is Virginia’s premiere guardian of civil liberties and a
recognized champion of civil rights for all Virginians. The ACLU-VA is a non-profit, non-partisan
organization that promotes civil liberties and civil rights for everyone in the Commonwealth through
public education, litigation, and advocacy with the goal of securing freedom and equality for all. The
ACLU-VA is an affiliate of the national ACLU, the leading defender nationally of civil liberties guaranteed
by our nation’s Bill of Rights. We are located in downtown Richmond, VA, have a staff of 12 and an
annual budget just over $1.5 million. To learn more about our work, please visit www.acluva.org and
www.aclu.org.
This is an exciting time in the ACLU’s history that presents an unparalleled opportunity for an
experienced fundraising professional. In celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2019 and the 100th
anniversary of the national ACLU in 2020, the ACLU-VA is joining with the national ACLU in the most
ambitious nation-wide fundraising campaign in the ACLU’s history. The Director of Philanthropy will
leverage this comprehensive national Centennial Campaign and our 50th anniversary to dramatically
increase the ACLU-VA’s revenue stream to support the significant expansion of our programs over the
next five years. Building on strong existing donor relationships and a robust major donor prospect pool,
and partnering with our national office on key leadership gift strategies, the Director of Philanthropy will
have a significant opportunity to increase investments in the ACLU sizably and to play a major role in an
organization that continues to make a real difference in people’s lives every day.
Position Overview:
The Director of Philanthropy is the member of the ACLU-VA leadership team working with the Executive
Director who is responsible for leading a comprehensive development program to grow the ACLU-VA’s
revenue stream and strengthen our relationships with supporters. The Director of Philanthropy will
drive and implement the fund development growth strategy and manage the operation of the
development programs. The Director of Philanthropy will be assisted part-time by the Communications
and Development Assistant and supported by the active involvement and professional support of other
staff of the ACLU-VA and the national ACLU. See the attached Job Description for more detail regarding
qualifications and responsibilities.
Compensation and Benefits
Salary based on market factors and individual experience and abilities.
Excellent benefits include paid time off, generous paid holidays, medical and dental insurance, 401k
plan, life insurance, income replacement during illness through a combination of annual sick leave, short
term disability and long-term disability insurance.
To Apply
Send a cover letter explaining your interest in and qualifications for the position as detailed in
this announcement, a current resume, and a short, one or two-page business writing sample by mail to
Claire Guthrie Gastañaga, Executive Director, ACLU of Virginia, 701 E. Franklin Street, Suite 1412,
Richmond, VA 23219 or by email to [email protected] with Director of Philanthropy in the subject line of
the email.
Applications accepted until position is filled. Submit your application as soon as possible. To ensure
consideration, application materials must be received by 5pm EDT, May 15, 2015. Please indicate in your
cover letter where you found this job listing.
The ACLU of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive
culture. The ACLU of Virginia encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to
race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin,
marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status. Persons with disabilities may request
accommodations.
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The ACLU of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive
culture. The ACLU of Virginia encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to
race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin,
marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status. Persons with disabilities may request
accommodation.
Job Description –Director of Philanthropy
American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia
Job Title:
Director of Philanthropy
Office Team:
Administration and Finance
Job Reports To:
Executive Director
Date: May 1, 2015
Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Job Summary: The Director of Philanthropy is a senior management level position reporting to the
Executive Director responsible for leading a comprehensive development program to grow the ACLUVA’s revenue stream and strengthen our relationships with supporters. The Director of Philanthropy will
drive and implement the fund development growth strategy and manage the operation of the
development programs. The Director of Philanthropy will be assisted part-time by the Communications
and Development Assistant and supported by the active involvement and professional support of other
staff of the ACLU-VA and the national ACLU.
Major Job Responsibilities/Activities:
 Develop and execute a comprehensive donor-centered fundraising program that includes
specific fundraising goals and targets, with a focus on the acquisition of leadership gifts from
high level prospects and donors with the capacity to make gifts of $10,000+ annually.
 Create and manage a 75-100-person portfolio of major donors and prospects, including leading
the process of identifying/qualifying prospective donors, developing thoughtful donor
strategies, and directly soliciting and stewarding leadership gifts of $10,000+, including planned
gifts, from individual donors.
 Serve as the primary relationship manager for assigned donors in the major donor portfolio as
well as support the development efforts of other key primary relationship managers assigned to
donors in the portfolio, including the Executive Director, other members of the affiliate
leadership team and some Board members.
 Staff the Executive Director and other key solicitors in preparation for solicitation or stewardship
meetings, including conducting prospect research and preparing appropriate briefing materials
in advance of meetings.
 Create an annual development plan that ensures year-round cultivation, solicitation and
stewardship of donors through meaningful and personalized donor contacts.
 Ensure the tracking of portfolio activity and progress in the donor database. Create reports that
reflect donor activity and program performance.
 Maintain working knowledge of affiliate and national programmatic priorities and issues.
 Work collaboratively and cooperatively with other affiliate staff and colleagues at the national
office to ensure the most strategic donor-driven strategies.
 Develop and manage a cost-effective budget for expenses related to fundraising.
Other Job Responsibilities:
Board of Directors: Provide staff to the Development Committee of the Board of Directors. Develop and
present reports to the Board of Directors on development program.
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The ACLU of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive
culture. The ACLU of Virginia encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to
race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin,
marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status. Persons with disabilities may request
accommodation.
General staff leadership responsibilities: Attend ACLU-VA functions, such as the annual membership
meeting, Board meetings and other ACLU-VA events. Assist the Executive Director in maintaining a
collaborative team spirit within the office and live the affiliate’s values.
Planned Giving: Work with the national ACLU Office of Gift Planning to develop and implement
strategies for cultivating planned giving relationships with new and existing donors and prospects.
Foundation Grants Program: Direct foundation grants program, including strategic prospect research,
scheduling, writing, grant preparation, and reporting.
Donor Database Management: Assure the proper recording, tracking, and reporting of gifts from major
donors in the donor database. Assure the maintenance of accurate and current data files, including
giving histories, profiles, and interactions. Work with the Office Manager, Deputy Director and
Development Assistant to produce necessary reports for auditors and reconciliation of funds.
Materials: Participate in the development of messages, materials, and explanations of our work used in
strategic donor communications. Contribute appropriately to the development of the Annual Report,
Centennial Campaign materials and other communications that advance the ACLU’s mission and
visibility to donors.
Minimum Requirements:
 Minimum of three years of experience in non-profit fundraising, with progressive management
responsibility and a proven track record of soliciting, closing, and stewarding leadership gifts of
$10,000+. Experience soliciting planned gifts is also desired.
 Demonstrated experience developing long-term cultivation and solicitation strategies for highlevel prospects and donors.
 Superb interpersonal, oral, and written communication and presentation skills; demonstrated
ability to communicate effectively, comfortably, and respectfully with donors, staff, and lay
leaders.
 Broad understanding of multi-faceted campaign planning, implementation, and management.
 Experience and comfort with donor database management and systems to track donor history,
interests, and activity.
 Understanding of and passion for the ACLU mission. Ability to understand and speak
compellingly about the ACLU’s work across the many issue areas of civil liberties and civil rights.
 A commitment to diversity; a personal approach that values the individual and respects
differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability and socioeconomic circumstance, and ability to work with diverse individuals within the organization and
broader community.
 Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
 Ability to travel as well as the flexibility to work as needed to accomplish the organization’s
fundraising goals.
 Flexibility and a willingness to take on new tasks as the responsibilities of the position evolve.
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The ACLU of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive
culture. The ACLU of Virginia encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to
race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin,
marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status. Persons with disabilities may request
accommodation.
Essential Skills and Abilities:
 Ability to take initiative, problem-solve, multi-task, and work independently as well as
collaborate with others on donor strategies in a team-oriented approach.
 Ability to work well with people and as a part of a team.
 Demonstrated ability to juggle and prioritize many concurrent tasks at once, manage a highvolume workload, pay extremely close attention to detail, adapt quickly to changing
organizational priorities, and meet moving deadlines.
 Ability to simplify complex themes and activities into a short, compelling presentation or
written piece.
Equipment Used:
 Computer, mobile phone, telephone, copier, fax
Approved by: ____________________________________ Date: ______________________________
Accepted by: _____________________________________Date: ______________________________
Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description restricts the Executive Director's right to assign other duties
or responsibilities to this job at any time.
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The ACLU of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive
culture. The ACLU of Virginia encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to
race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin,
marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status. Persons with disabilities may request
accommodation.