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
