Director of Philanthropy
Albuquerque, New Mexico

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU-NM) seeks a dynamic and determined Director of Philanthropy to create and execute a strategic, effective fundraising agenda in New Mexico. The ACLU-NM, the state’s premier public advocacy organization, is a not-for-profit, nonpartisan organization that employs litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education and communications to protect and promote a broad range of constitutional issues, including individual rights and freedoms, freedom of speech, racial justice, rights to privacy, religious liberty, reproductive rights, LGBT rights, and immigrant rights.

The ACLU-NM is an affiliate of the national ACLU, the leading defender of civil liberties guaranteed by our nation’s Bill of Rights. The national ACLU implements its vital civil liberties mission in all 50 states in large part through affiliate entities such as the ACLU-NM. To that end, the national ACLU has recently committed substantial monetary and other resources to the ACLU-NM through a program called the Strategic Affiliate Initiative (SAI), enabling the affiliate to expand its staff (to the current level of 16 full-time employees), budget (to $1.6 million annually), and programs. SAI will continue for the next three to five years during which both the ACLU-NM’s staff and programs will see further growth.

Reporting into the Executive Director, the Director of Philanthropy (DoP) will spearhead the organization’s critical fundraising efforts that must ensure the ACLU-NM builds a robust, sustainable fundraising engine to fuel continued growth. In close partnership with the Executive Director and senior staff, the DoP is responsible for planning, supervising and executing the affiliate’s major gifts program – which is on track to grow 20% each of the next two years – and developing complimentary fundraising strategies, such as grant-based fundraising, and donor cultivation strategies across the state of New Mexico.

In addition to translating program priorities into funding opportunities for the affiliate, the DoP will also work to strengthen the organization’s relationships with supporters and partners. S/he will provide leadership to and collaborate with a Development Associate, as well as program staff, the Sustainability Committee, and the National ACLU, to reach annual and long-range fundraising goals.

Ideal candidates will be resourceful and tenacious. They must possess the proven ability to engage and work with donors and volunteers as well as members of the social justice community. They will demonstrate initiative and a comfort level researching donors and creating solicitation strategies, and possess strong grant proposal and report writing skills. Candidates for the position should have a profound commitment to social justice, a passion for protecting civil liberties, and the communication skills to effectively convey to the public and a variety of important constituencies the mission and activities of the ACLU.

This position requires a minimum of three to five years demonstrated experience in a nonprofit organization, with at least two years of fundraising with an emphasis on personally soliciting individual major gifts, preferably of $5,000 or above. Occasional travel and evening or weekend work is required to successfully meet the job responsibilities of this role. A Bachelor’s degree is required.

To learn more about the work of the ACLU and the civil liberties principles it upholds, please visit www.aclu-nm.org and www.aclu.org.

Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications including a cover letter describing your interest and qualifications and your resume can be submitted at https://searchlight.cluen.com/E5/JobDetails.aspx?URLKey=l3wmoxpz

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals to apply.