Development Director
Maryland Legal Aid, Baltimore, MD, United States
Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) advocates with and for Marylanders experiencing poverty to achieve equity and social justice through free civil legal services, community collaboration, and systemic change. Since 1911, MLA has provided high-quality legal aid to vulnerable, low-income people and communities, helping to remedy their civil legal issues and empower them to overcome challenges, achieve stability and independence, and reach their goals. MLA’s core work includes eviction and foreclosure prevention, family law, children’s rights, consumer protection, securing public benefits, and access to healthcare. MLA advocates operate primarily through the courts via individual representation of indigent clients, but also engage in impact litigation, public communication, outreach, and policy advocacy.
About The Role Maryland Legal Aid seeks a talented and passionate individual to build a Major Gifts program that will grow fundraising over the next 3 to 5 years. The Director will lead fundraising efforts across both individual and corporate fundraising, support annual fund campaigns via email and direct mail, work with our vendor to promote planned giving, cultivate mid‑level donors, and partner with the Chief Development and Communications Officer to prospect and solicit corporate partners.
About The Team You’ll be joining a newly formed, integrated Development and Communications team at Maryland Legal Aid, an energetic group of 10 professionals that includes a dedicated 5‑person Grants team. Led by the new Chief Development and Communications Officer, the team is charged with enhancing storytelling, engaging supporters, and expanding our funding base to advance social justice and connect communities with critical legal services.
Responsibilities
Build and maintain a portfolio of 50‑75 major and mid‑level donors and prospects
Develop and execute thoughtful moves management strategies, tracking in the CRM, to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors in the assigned portfolio
Ensure a high level of donor satisfaction and engagement by creating an effective donor stewardship program in collaboration with the team
Oversee two community‑facing events hosted with our volunteer Equal Justice Council and Equal Justice Associates for audiences of 250‑100 guests, and strategize 3‑4 new smaller cultivation events with donors and prospects
Lead planned giving marketing with vendor support
Identify and cultivate corporate partners and work with the Chief Development and Communications Officer to pitch corporate prospects
Assist in stewarding volunteer groups such as the Equal Justice Council and Equal Justice Associates
Contribute to event strategy and lead sponsor engagement for key fundraising events
Support the success of annual fund campaigns by advising on best practices, creative tactics, and offers
Manage fundraising‑related vendors such as Bloomerang CRM, Bloomerang Fundraising (formerly QGive), and the planned giving vendor
Supervise and support the professional growth of the Development Coordinator
Qualifications
4+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a focus on major gifts; corporate fundraising experience a plus
Strong writing and communication skills
Experience with donor databases, moves management, and reporting (Bloomerang a plus)
Experience planning and executing annual fundraising campaigns and sponsorship programs
Experience planning and executing fundraising and public‑facing events
Organized, proactive, and data‑driven
Commitment to equity and justice; ability to communicate with empathy and cultural competence
Work Environment This position is based in the Baltimore City office and is a hybrid role with a minimum of two days per week worked in person. More days in person may be needed for leadership and relevant meetings. Work duties are typically performed at a desk with regular interaction in person, videoconference, instant messaging, and email.
Benefits The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $120,000. MLA offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, three weeks of paid time off, paid sick leave, 14 annual paid holidays, and more.
Maryland Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace, reflective of our core values, for all employees.
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About The Role Maryland Legal Aid seeks a talented and passionate individual to build a Major Gifts program that will grow fundraising over the next 3 to 5 years. The Director will lead fundraising efforts across both individual and corporate fundraising, support annual fund campaigns via email and direct mail, work with our vendor to promote planned giving, cultivate mid‑level donors, and partner with the Chief Development and Communications Officer to prospect and solicit corporate partners.
About The Team You’ll be joining a newly formed, integrated Development and Communications team at Maryland Legal Aid, an energetic group of 10 professionals that includes a dedicated 5‑person Grants team. Led by the new Chief Development and Communications Officer, the team is charged with enhancing storytelling, engaging supporters, and expanding our funding base to advance social justice and connect communities with critical legal services.
Responsibilities
Build and maintain a portfolio of 50‑75 major and mid‑level donors and prospects
Develop and execute thoughtful moves management strategies, tracking in the CRM, to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors in the assigned portfolio
Ensure a high level of donor satisfaction and engagement by creating an effective donor stewardship program in collaboration with the team
Oversee two community‑facing events hosted with our volunteer Equal Justice Council and Equal Justice Associates for audiences of 250‑100 guests, and strategize 3‑4 new smaller cultivation events with donors and prospects
Lead planned giving marketing with vendor support
Identify and cultivate corporate partners and work with the Chief Development and Communications Officer to pitch corporate prospects
Assist in stewarding volunteer groups such as the Equal Justice Council and Equal Justice Associates
Contribute to event strategy and lead sponsor engagement for key fundraising events
Support the success of annual fund campaigns by advising on best practices, creative tactics, and offers
Manage fundraising‑related vendors such as Bloomerang CRM, Bloomerang Fundraising (formerly QGive), and the planned giving vendor
Supervise and support the professional growth of the Development Coordinator
Qualifications
4+ years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a focus on major gifts; corporate fundraising experience a plus
Strong writing and communication skills
Experience with donor databases, moves management, and reporting (Bloomerang a plus)
Experience planning and executing annual fundraising campaigns and sponsorship programs
Experience planning and executing fundraising and public‑facing events
Organized, proactive, and data‑driven
Commitment to equity and justice; ability to communicate with empathy and cultural competence
Work Environment This position is based in the Baltimore City office and is a hybrid role with a minimum of two days per week worked in person. More days in person may be needed for leadership and relevant meetings. Work duties are typically performed at a desk with regular interaction in person, videoconference, instant messaging, and email.
Benefits The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $120,000. MLA offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, three weeks of paid time off, paid sick leave, 14 annual paid holidays, and more.
Maryland Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace, reflective of our core values, for all employees.
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