Description

About the Organization 
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights is a non-partisan, non-profit group of civil rights 
lawyers and advocates working to secure racial equity and economic opportunity for all. We 
provide legal representation through partnerships with the private bar, and we collaborate with 
grassroots organizations and other advocacy groups to implement community-based solutions 
that advance civil rights. For more than 55 years, we've partnered with 30+ leading law firms to 
provide high-impact legal representation in voting rights, fair housing, education equity, and 
economic justice. 
Our model generates millions in donated legal services annually: we recruit, train, and support 
volunteer attorneys who work alongside our legal team on impact litigation, policy advocacy, 
and community-based legal support. We operate across Illinois and Indiana as the only Lawyers' 
Committee affiliate in the Midwest—a region of 61 million people. 
After successfully replacing $400,000 in lost federal funding in 2025, we're positioned to 
expand our regional footprint at a moment when state-level civil rights enforcement has never 
been more critical. 
About the Role 
The VP of Advancement & Engagement will lead fundraising strategy and execution during a 
critical growth phase, building revenue from $3.2M to $4-4.5M while laying groundwork for 
regional expansion. This role requires someone who can both personally cultivate major gifts 
and build scalable systems—a strategic fundraiser who leverages technology to multiply 
impact. 
This is a role for someone who takes initiative and thinks strategically. You'll anticipate 
opportunities, navigate challenges proactively, and serve as a true partner to the Executive 
Director and senior leadership team. In this moment—when state-level civil rights litigation is 
more critical than ever—you'll help ensure we have the resources to keep cases moving and 
communities protected. 
You'll work directly with the Executive Director and board members to deepen law firm 
partnerships, grow individual giving from an under-tapped prospect base, secure foundation 
support across Illinois, Indiana, and nationally, and create infrastructure that allows a small 
team to punch above its weight. 
What You'll Get 
You'll join a senior leadership team that's smart, mission-driven, and committed to your 
success. The Executive Director is deeply invested in professional development and will be a 
thought partner in your growth. You'll inherit strong relationships in Chicago's legal and 
philanthropic communities—law firm managing partners who take your calls, foundation 
officers who know and respect CLC's work, and 600+ pro bono attorneys who are potential 
donors. 
You'll work on something that matters. You're not raising money for overhead—you're funding 
litigation that challenges voter suppression in real time, fair housing cases that are changing the 
market, and the legal infrastructure that protects constitutional rights across 61 million people 
in the Midwest. You'll see the direct line between your work and impact. 
And you'll build something. This isn't a maintenance role—you're creating the development 
infrastructure for regional civil rights work at a moment when it's desperately needed. You'll 
have the opportunity to build an individual giving program from the ground up. CLC has strong 
recent wins in individual giving, but the infrastructure—donor journeys, stewardship systems, 
recurring giving programs—still needs to be built. You won't be inheriting someone else's 
system; you'll create one that works. You'll have the autonomy to innovate, the support to take 
smart risks, and the resources to build a program that lasts. 
What Success Looks Like (Year One) 
Achieve $4-4.5M in total revenue across all streams 
Secure 2-3 new institutional funders above $50K, including at least one Indiana-based 
funder and one national funder 
Grow individual giving by 50%+ (from ~$130K to $175K+) by building foundational 
infrastructure and activating large prospect list 
Add 2-3 new law firm members and increase overall membership revenue to $440K+ 
Execute a $600K Gala (net $400K) with high-profile keynote 
Develop compelling case for support for Midwest Voting Rights Program expansion 
Create and execute engagement strategies that build broader movement participation 
Build CRM infrastructure and donor analytics capacity 
Key Responsibilities 
Strategic Fundraising Leadership 
Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategy across foundations, individual 
donors, law firms, events, and planned giving 
Personally cultivate and solicit major gifts ($10K+) 
Build relationships with managing partners and pro bono directors at member firms 
Identify and pursue new institutional funding opportunities across Chicago, Indiana, and 
national landscape 
Lead Gala and Power of Connection symposium fundraising 
Leverage existing professional networks in Chicago philanthropic, legal, and civic 
communities to open doors 
Represent CLC at community events, conferences, and networking opportunities 
Attend fundraising events in evenings and occasional weekends as needed 
Regional & National Fundraising Strategy 
Identify and cultivate Indiana-based funders aligned with CLC's work 
Pursue national foundation support for regional civil rights infrastructure 
Build fundraising case for Midwest Voting Rights Program expansion across six states 
Position CLC as the leading civil rights legal organization in the Midwest 
Donor Relationship Management 
Manage portfolio of 30-50 major donor prospects 
Steward existing donors with meaningful engagement 
Activate large prospect list through strategic segmentation and cultivation 
Leverage pro bono volunteer network (600+ attorneys) for donor cultivation 
Partner with Executive Director on high-level donor strategy 
Individual Giving Program Development 
Build foundational infrastructure for sustainable individual giving program 
Develop donor pipeline from prospect identification through major gift cultivation 
Create segmented communication strategies for different donor audiences 
Establish recurring giving program and planned giving framework 
Convert pro bono volunteers and event attendees into ongoing supporters 
Implement systems for donor acknowledgment, stewardship, and engagement 
Movement Building & Engagement 
Design strategies to deepen engagement with pro bono volunteers, converting them to 
donors 
Create pathways for supporters to move from event attendees to committed advocates 
Build NextGen Leadership Council as pipeline for future major donors 
Partner with communications team on storytelling that drives action and giving 
Cultivate a culture of philanthropy that extends beyond transactional giving 
Team Leadership & Infrastructure 
Manage Development Manager and additional development staff (2-3 direct reports) 
Implement CRM systems (currently Little Green Light) for data-driven decision-making 
Leverage AI tools and automation to increase team productivity 
Create processes, dashboards, and reporting systems 
Train board members and senior staff in effective fundraising 
Technology & Innovation 
Use CRM analytics to identify cultivation opportunities and predict giving patterns 
Experiment with LLMs and AI tools for grant writing, donor research, and 
communications 
Implement digital fundraising tools (text-to-give, segmented email campaigns, etc.) 
Build data infrastructure that informs strategy 
Collaboration & Culture 
Work closely with Executive Director, Legal Director, and program staff 
Partner with Director of Communications on storytelling and impact reporting 
Support board development and engagement 
Model equity and inclusion in all external relationships 
What This Role Really Requires 
We need someone who brings initiative, strategic thinking, and the ability to work 
independently while collaborating closely with leadership. Specifically: 
Initiative & Ownership 
Identify funding opportunities and pursue them independently 
Bring solutions and strategic thinking to leadership discussions 
Own your work—if revenue is falling short, you're already developing the plan to 
address it 
See around corners: anticipate challenges and opportunities before they're obvious 
Strategic Partnership 
Serve as thought partner to Executive Director and senior leadership team 
Contribute to organizational strategy beyond just fundraising 
Understand programmatic work well enough to translate it compellingly for funders 
Navigate complex stakeholder relationships with political awareness 
Relationship Building & Networks 
Leverage existing professional networks while building new relationships 
Build trust with funders navigating difficult political environments 
Cultivate long-term partnerships, not transactional asks 
Represent CLC authentically in diverse settings 
Results Orientation 
Balance strategic vision with tactical execution 
Maintain momentum through inevitable setbacks 
Celebrate wins while staying focused on the work ahead 
Understand that persistence and resilience are part of the job 
Required Qualifications 
7-10 years of professional fundraising experience, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership 
role 
Proven track record of personally soliciting and closing five- and six-figure gifts 
Experience managing and growing multiple revenue streams simultaneously 
Demonstrated ability to build donor relationships and ask for money comfortably 
Experience building individual giving programs, not just maintaining existing ones 
Track record of converting prospects into donors and donors into major donors 
Based in Chicago with established networks in local philanthropic, legal, or civic 
communities 
Strong existing relationships that can be leveraged for CLC's mission 
Strong understanding of CRM systems and data-driven fundraising 
Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
Ability to work independently while collaborating across a small team 
Comfort with evening and weekend event attendance (approximately 6-10 events per 
year) 
Commitment to racial justice and civil rights mission 
Preferred Qualifications 
Experience fundraising for litigation or legal services organizations 
Familiarity with law firm pro bono culture and corporate partnerships 
Track record using technology (AI, automation, analytics) to increase fundraising 
effectiveness 
Experience with Salesforce, Little Green Light, or similar CRM platforms 
Knowledge of planned giving strategies 
Experience working with boards on fundraising 
Understanding of Midwest philanthropic landscape 
Existing relationships with Chicago-area foundations, major donors, law firms, or 
corporate partners 
Experience with Indiana or national foundation fundraising 
Compensation & Benefits 
Salary Range: $115,000 - $125,000 (commensurate with experience) 
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage 
403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match 
Generous PTO (15-20 days) plus sick leave and holidays 
Professional development support 
Flexible hybrid work arrangement (Chicago-based, in office 3-4 days/week) 
Schedule includes some evening and weekend events 
Why This Role Matters—And Why You'll Want It 
The Mission: You'll fund work that matters. The litigation we support challenges voter 
suppression, fights housing discrimination, and defends constitutional rights across the  
Midwest. You'll make the case for investing in regional civil rights infrastructure during a critical 
moment in American democracy. 
The Team: You'll work with people who are smart, mission-driven, and deeply committed to 
both the work and to each other. The Executive Director is invested in your professional 
development and will be a thought partner in your growth. The senior leadership team moves 
fast, thinks strategically, and will rely on your expertise while supporting your success. 
The Foundation: You're not starting from scratch. CLC has 55+ years of credibility, strong 
relationships with law firms and foundations, a large prospect list ready for activation, and a 
proven model that generates $5-10M in pro bono services for every dollar invested. You'll 
inherit assets and build from strength. 
The Opportunity: This is a role where you can innovate. You'll have autonomy to try new 
approaches, permission to experiment with technology, and the flexibility to build systems that 
work. If you've been frustrated by bureaucracy or lack of investment in development 
infrastructure, this is a place where leadership understands that development requires tools, 
staff, and strategic support. 
The Impact: You'll see the direct line between your work and outcomes. The grant you secure 
funds the attorney who files the case that protects voting rights. The donor you cultivate makes 
Election Protection possible. The case you help make for regional expansion opens access to 
justice across six states. This isn't abstract—it's tangible and visible. 
The Challenge: Yes, it's ambitious. You'll be growing revenue significantly, building for 
expansion, and working during a complex political moment. But you'll have what you need: a 
committed Executive Director, strong existing relationships, a clear mission, and a team that 
will support you. 
To Apply 
Please send resume and cover letter to Elesha Jackson at ejackson@clccrul.org with the subject 
line “VP of Advancement & Engagement.”  Review of applications will begin Wednesday, March 
11, 2026. We will continue to accept applications until a candidate is selected.  
In your cover letter, tell us: 
1. About a time you personally cultivated and closed a major gift—what was your 
approach? 
2. How you've used technology or data to make fundraising more effective? 
3. Tell us about a time you saw an opportunity or challenge before others did—what did 
you notice, and what did you do? 
4. Why does civil rights legal work in the Midwest matter to you right now? 
5. What networks or relationships do you bring that could benefit CLC's mission? 
Don't meet every single requirement? At Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, we are 
dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about 
this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in this description, 
we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. 
Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights values a diverse workforce and a culture of 
inclusivity and belonging. We are an equal opportunity employer, and encourage applications 
from all individuals without regard to an individual's race, color, sex, gender identity, gender 
expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical 
condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, 
genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state 
or local laws. Those from groups

Requirements

Required Qualifications 
7-10 years of professional fundraising experience, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership 
role 
Proven track record of personally soliciting and closing five- and six-figure gifts 
Experience managing and growing multiple revenue streams simultaneously 
Demonstrated ability to build donor relationships and ask for money comfortably 
Experience building individual giving programs, not just maintaining existing ones 
Track record of converting prospects into donors and donors into major donors 
Based in Chicago with established networks in local philanthropic, legal, or civic 
communities 
Strong existing relationships that can be leveraged for CLC's mission 
Strong understanding of CRM systems and data-driven fundraising 
Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
Ability to work independently while collaborating across a small team 
Comfort with evening and weekend event attendance (approximately 6-10 events per 
year) 
Commitment to racial justice and civil rights mission 
Preferred Qualifications 
Experience fundraising for litigation or legal services organizations 
Familiarity with law firm pro bono culture and corporate partnerships 
Track record using technology (AI, automation, analytics) to increase fundraising 
effectiveness 
Experience with Salesforce, Little Green Light, or similar CRM platforms 
Knowledge of planned giving strategies 
Experience working with boards on fundraising 
Understanding of Midwest philanthropic landscape 
Existing relationships with Chicago-area foundations, major donors, law firms, or 
corporate partners 
Experience with Indiana or national foundation fundraising