Donor Relations Officer

ABOUT THE ACLU OF ALABAMA

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Alabama is one of the nation’s foremost defenders of civil liberties and civil rights. They are part of the American Civil Liberties Union, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with 54 affiliates across the country. Their mission is to protect and advance the rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution through public education, legislative advocacy, and litigation.

They are anchored in Alabama's history of oppression and progress. At their core, they believe in equity and justice in Alabama. The organization's foundation and North Star is informed by their presence in the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement. The very space where community organizing changed this nation and crafted a more equitable and inclusive democracy.

The ACLU of Alabama is focused on elevating their work statewide, being a trusted community partner, and emerging as leading experts in core priority areas:
Voting Rights, Gender Justice, and Criminal Legal Reform. The work is made possible through coalition-building and collaboration. They treat partners, clients, and the public with respect and dignity. The communities within Alabama are not voiceless; they are the ones with power.

Alongside the national ACLU, they also work on issues related to freedom of speech, freedom of religion, privacy, discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation or disability, police misconduct, censorship in schools or libraries, fairness in the application of school discipline, access to government documents, inhumane jail and prison conditions, and other issues of fair treatment by government.

The Donor Relations Officer will serve as a key member of the ACLU of Alabama's Development team. Reporting to the Development Director, the Donor Relations Officer will be primarily responsible for development operations, including gift entry, data hygiene, gift acknowledgements, reporting, and donor research. A large component of the job will be in-person meetings with donors, attending community and networking events, and hosting house parties.

The Donor Relations Officer will have a deep passion for civil rights and civil liberties and will strongly champion the ACLU of Alabama’s vision for a more just Alabama.

• Enter and maintain records in donor database, including entry of gifts, interactions, and contact and research information.
• Send monthly acknowledgment letters to all ACLU-AL donors.
• Create fundraising reports and mailing list reports.
• Maintain alignment between National ACLU and ACLU-AL donor communication systems.
• Prepare briefing memos in advance of meetings with donors and prospects, as directed by Development Director and Executive Director.

• Build relationships with new and existing donors through active outreach and communication, including daily call times, handwritten thank you notes for major gifts and in person meetings.
• Communicate with donors regarding breaking news, including coordination with ACLU-AL's communications department on messaging.
• Project-manage small-scale events, including engaging with event host(s), drafting invitation language, managing event RSVPs, and identifying caterers and other relevant vendors.
• Actively attend community and networking events to engage with donors and identify new prospects.

• Bring an understanding of racial injustice and the urgency of confronting institutional racism and inequity into our approach to development.
• Commit to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture.
• Engage in relationship building with program staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders.

While no one candidate may possess all the qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will be passionate about the mission and values of ACLU of Alabama and will bring many of the following skills and experiences:

• Advanced interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for building strong, professional relationships with donors, staff, board members, volunteers, and the public.
• Ability to learn systems…