Development Director

Benefits Law Center (BLC) seeks a dynamic Development Director to join our team and our mission, working with people who live with disabilities and are fighting for their economic and medical security. As a champion of BLC’s core values of centering clients, dignity for all, and integrity in community, the BLC Development Director creates and maintains pathways for people who are personally connected to our mission to support the goals of our clients. To view the position description on our website, go here.

BLC is a specialty civil legal aid organization with a staff of ten people dedicated to economic justice. The Development Director is an integral part of BLC’s mission to provide accessible legal advocacy to people living with physical and mental disabilities so that they may obtain the resources necessary to overcome barriers to financial and medical stability. We further our mission through targeted community lawyering projects that help people obtain and maintain access to Social Security benefits. 

BLC boasts a working environment filled with inspiring advocacy, incredible colleagues, and a dedicated board of directors. BLC’s Development Director will work collaboratively with the Executive Director, and supervise a part-time development assistant. The Development Director is chiefly responsible for planning and executing all fundraising strategies through the successful implementation of a measurable development plan. BLC has grown 300% in the past five years, and in 2021 projects total revenue of $1 million. The development department is responsible for raising approximately 20% of that revenue.

We are in the final year of our existing strategic plan which is focused on growing the capacity of BLC to deliver on our mission through (1) equity and inclusion, (2) increased stewardship and relationship building, (3) strengthening our communication strategies, and (4) growing our volunteer program. You can read more about our work in the BLC Annual Report.

Responsibilities:

Leadership and Planning

• Partner with the Executive Director to foster a healthy and collaborative fundraising culture across the organization.
• Build a fundraising budget in collaboration with the Executive Director.
• Design, implement, and track a development plan that cultivates funds through diverse strategies, and attracts and retain a broad base of contributed revenue to support the organization’s mission.
• Support and mobilize the Executive Director and Board of Directors to build and steward relationships with current and potential donors, funders, and corporate partners.
• Establish systems and procedures, ensuring an efficient and streamlined development program.
• Proactively recruit, train and mentor fundraising volunteers and interns.

 Special Event Design and Coordination

• Plan and execute BLC’s fundraising events with a focus on donor acquisition and retention.
• Ensure the design and implementation of post-event engagement plans are executed.
• Create and deliver on compelling sponsorship opportunities to attract and retain support from the business community.
• Provide guidance to the Marketing Committee for all event publicity.

 Individual Giving and Donor Relations

• Manage and make improvements upon donor portfolio system and provide targeted guidance to the ED and Board of Directors to ensure major donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship goals are met.
• Identify and qualify major donor leads.
• Build outstanding relationships between the organization and donors.
• Build on BLC’s donor recognition program and lead the donor stewardship process.
• Maintain accurate donor records.
• Utilize client stories to create compelling fundraising appeals.

 Communications

• Produce content for the annual report, blog, and social media in collaboration with the Executive Director and the Marketing Committee.
• Create e-mail campaigns with MailChimp in coordination with all fundraising appeals and events.
• Update website content as needed.

 Qualifications:

• 3 or more years of work experience in fundraising and/or relationship management.
• Demonstrated success in meeting fundraising goals.
• Demonstrated success developing outstanding relationships with individual and corporate donors.
• Experience with donor management systems, Little Green Light and Greater Giving preferred.
• Incorporates an anti-racist lens into fundraising practices.
• Strong fundraising event planning experience.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously, and prioritize tasks and responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team of staff, board, and volunteers alike to accomplish fundraising objectives.
• Ability to accept and strategically manage change and to problem solve with speed.
• Demonstrated management skills, leadership skills, and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, maintain self-motivation and persist in the face of obstacles.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Highly motivated, organized, creative, self-directed and flexible.
• Positive attitude and sense of humor

Commitment to Diversity:

BLC is an anti-racist organization. Our commitment to inclusion is based in our belief that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture enhances our ability to fulfill our mission. We strongly encourage people who have experienced living on a fixed income, engaging with Social Security, living with a disability, and/or unstable housing.

Employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law.

 Compensation:

This is a full-time, exempt position that requires a willingness to work some evenings and weekends, as well as occasional travel within the state. Salary: $60-90k annually DOE. BLC offers employees 105 hours of paid vacation and two floating holidays annually, all federal holidays off, paid health-related leave, medical benefits, retirement benefits, a compelling mission, financial support for continued fundraising education, COVID work from home cash allowance, and fantastic co-workers.

How to apply:

To apply please submit a cover letter that explains how your lived or professional experience has shaped your commitment to economic justice, a resume, and two written or graphic samples of independently produced work product focused on development. Submit materials to Alex Doolittle at alex-AT-benefitslawcenter.org.  Should you require any accommodations please let Alex know. Applications received by April 23, 2021 will be considered first, the position will remain open until filled.