Development Associate

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a regional non-profit law firm. Our mission is to pursue justice and equity, facilitate access to opportunities for people with low incomes through passionate legal representation, and provide steadfast advocacy for systemic reform. ABLE is affiliated with Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), also a regional non-profit law firm that provides legal assistance.

ABLE and LAWO are seeking a collaborative, relationship-focused Development Associate to help grow philanthropic support for civil legal aid across western Ohio, with a primary focus on northwest Ohio. As a key member of the Development team, you will turn strategy into action building donor relationships, coordinating meaningful events, supporting annual campaigns, and helping ensure every gift is acknowledged and stewarded with care.

This is an opportunity for an organized fundraising professional to pair strong execution with a mission that advances justice, equity, and opportunity for people with low incomes.

• Coordinate fundraising, donor cultivation, and stewardship events, including signature campaign events and community gatherings.
• Support corporate sponsorship outreach and manage the benefits and recognition promised through sponsorship and partnership agreements.
• Cultivate donor relationships, solicit contributions, and provide timely, meaningful recognition for new, recurring, lapsed, Donor Advised Fund, and other donors.
• Help lead a steering committee that supports the annual campaign in Toledo and northwest Ohio.
• Conduct and prioritize prospect research on individuals, businesses, private and family foundations, and Donor Advised Funds.
• Prepare donor briefings, proposals, fundraising reports, budget information, and other materials that support engagement and decision-making.
• Track and analyze fundraising progress, trends, and opportunities in partnership with the Director of Development & Communications.
• Maintain accurate donor and gift information in the CRM, including gift processing, sponsorship details, and donor records, in coordination with the Development Assistant.
• Partner with Communications colleagues to create consistent, compelling fundraising messages and content for donor communications, newsletters, the website, social media, and impact stories.
• Represent ABLE and LAWO at community events, nonprofit partnerships, fundraisers, and advocacy-related events.
• Help develop and carry out annual resource development plans and a personal work plan with measurable goals, timelines, action steps, and outcomes.
• Follow ABLE and LAWO gift acceptance, recognition, confidentiality, compliance, and ethical fundraising practices.

This position helps strengthen a culture of philanthropy across ABLE and LAWO and directly supports the organizations’ ability to provide high-quality civil legal assistance. The role works closely with Development and Communications colleagues and regularly engages donors, volunteers, community partners, sponsors, and staff across the service area. Success will be measured through effective campaign and event execution, strong donor stewardship, accurate fundraising data, productive community relationships, and progress toward annual fundraising goals.

• Bachelor's degree.
• At least three years of nonprofit fundraising and development experience.
• Experience supporting donor cultivation, stewardship, fundraising campaigns, events, or sponsor ships.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, follow-through, judgment, and initiative.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience using a CRM or fundraising…