About

• Description
• The Institutional Giving and Donor Relations Manager will manage the ACLU of Illinois’ institutional giving portfolio and pipeline, including relationships with both traditional foundations and family foundations. This work includes drafting grant proposals and reports, working across departments to obtain and update project narratives and budgets, meeting with funders, cultivating relationships with prospective and established funders, and conducting intentional prospecting to identify new funding opportunities.

• The Institutional Giving and Donor Relations Manager will also manage a portfolio of individual donors and lead the affiliate’s prospect research, as our team seeks to expand opportunities for meetings, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship throughout the year with individuals and family foundations in a position to increase their financial support of and engagement with the ACLU.

• The Institutional Giving and Donor Relations Manager will report to the Director of Philanthropy and Engagement (P&E), and will work closely with P&E and Finance teammates to help the ACLU-IL reach our ambitious revenue goals and strengthen engagement with supporters. This position will work collaboratively across the ACLU-IL office and national network to stay up-to-date on the organization’s latest work, to prepare effective written materials for, and facilitate conversations with, key ACLU donors, partners, and staff.

• This is a full-time, exempt position that is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers/United Auto Workers Local 2320. The ACLU-IL office is located in downtown Chicago. A hybrid work option is available. We expect this position to start in early 2026.

• Requirements
• Write letters of intent, grant proposals, and reports for traditional and family foundation funders.
• Research new and prospective supporters and present findings to P&E colleagues and organizational leadership, with the goal of expanding and diversifying the organization’s base of philanthropic support.
• Gather information from Advocacy, Communications, and Legal colleagues to learn the latest developments impacting each of the ACLU-IL’s program areas and share non-confidential information with current and prospective funders.
• Build relationships with current, lapsed, and prospective institutional and select individual giving funders, and develop and implement strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Facilitate site visits and similar briefings for staff and/or board members of foundation funders.
• Document communications with funders and promptly update colleagues on the P&E, Finance, and leadership teams regarding grant funding cycles and other information needed to complete funding proposals and steward donors.
• Regularly update contacts and notes for individual and institutional donors in our development database.
• Support ACLU-IL events and other engagement initiatives as appropriate.
• Contribute to the P&E team’s collaborative shared leadership model.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Qualifications
• Minimum of 3 years of experience managing a portfolio of individual or institutional funders; 5 or more years preferred.
• Outstanding writing skills, including the ability to communicate complex civil liberties and rights issues clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated success in increasing long-term philanthropic support and communications with a wide range of funders.
• Deft interpersonal and communications skills, used to build and deepen strategic relationships with both internal and external partners.
• Commitment to the ACLU’s mission and a willingness to be curious and dive deep into written materials and presentations to present the organization’s breadth and depth of work to funders.
• Knowledge of current trends in fundraising and experience in obtaining information about different types of institutional funders and individual giving vehicles.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion, uphold the highest level of confidentiality, and exercise good judgment.
• Strong strategic, analytical, and project management skills, including the ability to directly advocate for what’s needed from colleagues across departments and ensure their contributions to each project are upheld as appropriate.
• Experience receiving and giving professional feedback effectively.
• Demonstrated competence in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
• Experience with Salesforce, Blackbaud, or a similar donor database.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented record keeping.
• Dedication to fostering a positive and welcoming environment for all people.
• Willingness and availability to occasionally work outside of normal 9-5 work hours and on weekends.
• Physical Requirements
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Salary and Benefits
• The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $70,000, commensurate with experience. As an example, the salary for a person with at least 3 years of relevant experience would be $65,000. Salary may be higher depending on additional experience. As a member of the collective bargaining unit, this position is eligible for an annual salary increase on April 1 in accordance with the current and future collective bargaining agreements.

Benefits include

• Vacation: 15 days of paid vacation in the first year and 20 days of paid vacation thereafter.
• Health benefits: 100% employer-paid premiums for medical, vision, and dental insurance for staff and eligible dependents.
• Retirement benefits: 6% employer-paid retirement contribution after 1 year without any employee contribution, plus 50% employer retirement match of the first $125 the employee contributes each pay period.
• Other benefits: 100% employer-paid life insurance; employee assistance program; short and long-term disability insurance. Paid parental leave after 1 year. Flexible spending accounts.

• ACLU Employment Statement
• The ACLU of Illinois is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, criminal record, or veteran status.

• The ACLU of Illinois is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance applying online, please email the Human Resources department at jalicea@aclu-il.org. If selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodation for the interview process.