Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Inc.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
(hybrid)
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Duration
Indefinite
Salary
$115,000.00 - $125,000.00
Min Experience
7-10 Years
Min Education
Master's Degree
Required Travel
0-10%
Salary - Type
Yearly Salary
Job Function
Development | Fundraising
Vice President of Advancement & Engagement
Vice President of Advancement & Engagement
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
Job ID: 82875390
Jobs You May Like
Client Onboarding Transfer Vice President
JPMorganChase
Chicago,
IL,
United States
(on-site)
Merchant Sales Product Solutions Manager -...
JPMorganChase
Chicago,
IL,
United States
(on-site)
U.S. Benefits Design & Strategy - Vice President
JPMorganChase
Chicago,
IL,
United States
(on-site)
Product Director - Event & Engagement - Executive...
JPMorganChase
Chicago,
IL,
United States
(on-site)
Median Salary
Net Salary per month
$4,930
Cost of Living Index
76/100
76
Median Apartment Rent in City Center
(1-3 Bedroom)
$2,471
-
$4,513
$3,492
Safety Index
34/100
34
Utilities
Basic
(Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage for 915 sq ft apartment)
$91
-
$300
$166
High-Speed Internet
$45
-
$100
$69
Transportation
Gasoline
(1 gallon)
$3.75
Taxi Ride
(1 mile)
$2.25
Data is collected and updated regularly using reputable sources, including corporate websites and governmental reporting institutions.
We use cookies on this site to enhance your experience. By using our website you accept our use of cookies.
Cookies
YourMembership uses cookies for your convenience and security. Cookies are text files stored on the browser of your computer and are used to make your experience on web sites more personal and less cumbersome. You may choose to decline cookies if your browser permits, but doing so may affect your ability to access or use certain features of this site. Please refer to your web browser's help function for assistance on how to change your preferences.