Development Associate

About the ABF 

The American Bar Foundation (ABF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute that expands knowledge and advances justice through rigorous empirical research on law, legal processes, and legal institutions. The ABF's primary sources of funding are an annual grant from the American Bar Endowment (ABE) and contributions by the Fellows of the ABF – a global honorary society of attorneys, judges, faculty, and scholars whose careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the highest principles of the legal profession. The ABF’s offices are located on Northwestern University’s Chicago campus in Streeterville. 

Position Overview 

The Development Associate plays a key role in the supporting the ABF’s fundraising efforts as part of a team that generates more than $2 million annually. This position will report to the Senior Director of the Fellows.  

Key Responsibilities  

Fellows Recruitment (70%)   

• Identify potential Fellows nominees by researching print and online sources   
• Compile potential nominees identified by the internal recruitment team monthly 
• Oversee the import and duplicate clean-up process to prepare the final approved monthly nomination list 
• Communicate directly with State Chairs, Fellows Officers, and ABF Board members to track and acquire approval of all nominations 
• Manage monthly nominee invitation process including updating and sending materials, determining monthly digital invite plan, and tracking response rates 
• Coordinate and track nominee outreach efforts from peer nominators, State Chairs, and other Fellows and Board leaders 
• Partner with Senior Director of the Fellows to create a recruitment plan of nomination sources and assignments for internal recruitment team 
• Assist with orientations for Fellows leaders to explain recruitment and outreach processes 

Development and Donor Services (15%)  

• Partner with Senior Director of the Fellows to manage lapsed Fellows process   
• Create and send acknowledgements for Life Fellows upon pledge completion  
• Manage Life Fellow Giving Societies listings and update corresponding websites monthly  
• Produce accurate donor acknowledgment information for Annual Report and other print and online publications and event signage  
• Attend and staff Fellows events at ABA Midyear and Annual meetings 
• Periodically assist with answering questions and taking donations received through Fellows email inbox and phone  

Administrative (15%)   

• Update Raiser’s Edge database on a continuous basis, including but not limited to updating new contact information for constituents, importing follow-up actions, etc. 
• Monitor inventory of materials and reorder 
• Periodically assist with processing donations and online event registrations 
• Be responsive to requests from other managers and work collaboratively with colleagues across all departments of the ABF. 

Other duties not listed above may be required of this position. 

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent training 
• 2+ years of relevant work experience 
• Exceptional organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail and accuracy 
• Ability to multitask and prioritize effectively to maintain strict timelines 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills   
• Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat (creating and editing PDFs) and Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams) 
• Experience with mail merge tools  
• Strong customer service orientation 
• Ability to operate a printer/copier and move boxes up to 15 lbs.  
• Commitment to the ABF’s mission and to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging 
• Illinois residency and U.S. work authorization required throughout employment 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Proficiency in Raiser’s Edge or comparable membership database 
• Familiarity with Wordpress  

Work Structure and Environment 

This is a full-time (35 hours/week), non-exempt position. ABF employees are expected to work at the ABF offices at least two days per week and to work within the state of Illinois on the other days. Standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with a one-hour lunch period. Occasional work outside of these hours is expected in connection with ABF events (e.g., Board meetings). Out-of-state travel may be required for this position.  

The American Bar Foundation (ABF) is firmly committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons, including providing reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants. All decisions regarding employment will be made without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age; ancestry; certain arrest or criminal history records; citizenship; color; disability; gender; gender identity; genetic information; housing status; marital status; military status; national origin; order of protection status; parental status; pregnancy; protected activity (e.g., reporting of prohibited discrimination or harassment); race (including traits associated with race such as hair texture or hair styles); religion; reproductive health decisions; sex; sexual orientation; source of income; status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, gender violence, or any other crime of violence or who have family or household members who are victims of such violence; unfavorable discharge from the military; or any other status or classification protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.