Associate Director of Development - Lawndale Christian Legal Center

Title:

Associate Director of Development

Status:

Full-time Exempt

Reports to:

Vice President, Major Gifts & Individual Giving

Location:

Hybrid [Remote/LCLC (1530 S. Hamlin Ave., Chicago)]

Salary:

Commensurate with experience

Hire Date:

LCLC will close the posting as soon as we find an exceptional candidate

Who We Are

Lawndale Christian Legal Center (LCLC) specializes in providing a unique form of holistic community-based criminal defense representation grounded in restorative justice principles to minors and emerging adults (24 and under) from North Lawndale, Austin, East Garfield Park, and Little Village. LCLC started in North Lawndale where it is still headquartered today. In summer 2021, LCLC expanded its service area by co-locating holistic legal services with BUILD in Austin, Breakthrough in East Garfield Park, and New Life Centers in Little Village. At all four sites, LCLC’s highly relational, innovative community-led model of justice is performed by an interdisciplinary team of attorneys, case managers, outreach workers, circle-keepers, and community partners that provide developmentally appropriate supports for minors and emerging adults. The team identifies and meets the legal and social needs of our youth at every phase of the criminal justice system: from diversion, arrest, through trial, and the completion of any period of probation, supervision, and parole. By serving justice-involved minors and emerging adults holistically in their community, LCLC is leading the transformation of the traditional criminal justice system and establishing new best practices in community-based holistic interventions grounded in restorative justice that are more effective, cost less, and result in greater public safety for all. We believe our holistic, community-led restorative justice model will transform the criminal justice system and end mass incarceration when we scale our model across Cook County and the nation. More information on LCLC can be found at www.lclc.net.

Our North Lawndale Community

North Lawndale is a vibrant and resilient community and we are proud to be a part of it. Our office is located just next door to the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Apartments and Exhibit Center, built on the site where Dr. King lived for six months during his Chicago Freedom Campaign in 1966. North Lawndale is tightly-knit, and we are gratified by our affiliation with the Lawndale Community Church, an organization that has done so much to bring necessary health and legal services to the community. Unfortunately, following decades of disinvestment, “white flight”, redlining, and other harbingers of systemic poverty and violence, North Lawndale still suffers from high levels of poverty, economic hardship, violence, and over- policing.

In North Lawndale, approximately 850 officers are assigned to the two police districts that patrol 35,000 residents. In addition, a significant percentage of specialized units (which are historically aggressive and abusive) have been ordered to rove in our community. More than 1,500 youth are arrested in North Lawndale yearly, the second highest rate in Chicago. Indiscriminate stops and searches of North Lawndale residents are a daily occurrence; 66% of adults surveyed perceived no legitimate reason for their most recent police stop. A startling 59% of adults in North Lawndale have been arrested, 30% convicted, and 27% jailed.

Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds that our youths encounter within North Lawndale, namely the violence, poverty, and police brutality, they demonstrate hope, resolve, and a drive to make their neighborhood a better place. We are continually inspired by our clients’ resilience and positivity in the face of external challenges. It is both an honor and a privilege to help them walk them away from the criminal justice system and equip them to take control of their future.

Job Description

The Associate Director of Development is responsible for the full range support of the development team, database management, donor relations, administration and special events. Specifically, the management of the fundraising database for reports, communications both mass and targeted. The management of individual and corporate giving for end of year and other annual giving campaigns alongside the VP of Major Gifts and individual giving. You will also help lead other fundraising activities such as our annual benefit, capital campaign efforts, and year-end campaign.

Responsibilities

Collaborate to develop strategies for prospect managers to individually and creatively steward the highest level of major gifts prospects and individual givers
Coordinate the expansion and implementation of strategic donor engagement and stewardship communications that include, but are not limited to, endowment reports, donor impact reports, foundation communications, and stewardship elements within the Annual Report
Review the daily report and facilitate a regular process for gift officers and the team to provide personalized recognition
Design & Implementation of donor recognition and major donor cultivation opportunities in coordination with fundraising and engagement officers
Work in an environment dealing with a wide variety of challenges and deadlines, as well as a diverse array of contacts
Working across multiple departments to compile data, materials, and input
Furnishing prospective or existing donors with supporting documents
Following up on the progress of submitted proposals
Maintaining social media calendar
Assisted by other development team members, help lead other fundraising activities such as annual benefit, events, newsletters, on-site tours, year-end campaign, capital campaign, etc.
Help maintain social media presence by posting content and advising on and creating materials to be published
Assist with grant writing process including but not limited to (approximately 30% of time):
1. Identifying grant funding opportunities including prospect research to identify, cultivate and solicit new grants
2. Help with conducting the full range of activities required to prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals
3. Assist in the writing of high-quality grant proposal narratives, applications, and supporting documents
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required
5+ years relevant experience in development and fundraising activities with not-for-profit organizations, including demonstrated success in capital and annual campaign development, soliciting, and securing major gifts from both private and public sources
3+ years of special event coordination and execution
A minimum of 2 years of experience in grant writing; nonprofit experience a plus
Knowledge of criminal justice and/or violence prevention preferred
Demonstrated ability to write successful engage donor base and potential donors
Detail-oriented, organized, deadline-driven
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Must have clear, precise and compelling writing skills
Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently with purpose and accuracy in a fast-paced environment
High proficiency in Microsoft Office to include Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Knowledge of CRM, especially Network For Good, a plus
Able to work well in a team environment, handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines
Understanding of and commitment to LCLC’s vision, mission, and values

Application

Please click here to apply for the position of Associate Director of Development with LCLC. If you have any questions, please email us at email us at lclc-recruitment-team@lclc.net. The position, which is available immediately, will remain open until filled.

Lawndale Christian Legal Center is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and organizational needs. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of those we serve.

North Lawndale residents and minorities encouraged to apply.