Development Coordinator

ACLS Mission and Overview

Formed a century ago, the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is a nonprofit federation of 79 scholarly organizations.  As the leading representative of American scholarship in the humanities and related social sciences, ACLS holds a core belief that knowledge is a public good. As such, ACLS strives to promote the circulation of humanistic knowledge throughout society. In addition to stewarding and representing its member organizations, ACLS employs its $140 million endowment and $35 million annual operating budget to support scholarship in the humanities and social sciences and to advocate for the centrality of the humanities in the modern world.

Overview of department

The Development department’s role is to develop and secure funding from a wide range of sources, including individual donors, small and major foundations and institutional members. Formed in 2016, the department is charged with planning and executing activities that will expand the scope of ACLS’s individual giving program, foundation support and institutional memberships.  Activities include organizing engaging public programs (mostly online) and in-person events; identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects; supporting the efforts of ACLS leadership to raise major gifts; enhancing a planned giving program; and partnering with the President’s Office on the ACLS Research University Consortium and Associate Membership networks.

Job Summary

The Development Coordinator will serve as one member of a two-person department.  The Development Coordinator works closely with the Chief Development Officer in the day-to-day operations of all aspects of the program, with primary responsibility for the individual giving program. The role presents the opportunity to participate in the full spectrum of fundraising while supporting timely efforts in support of the humanities and social sciences, globally. The ideal candidate will be someone who wants to grow as a development professional, seeking opportunities such as articulating fundraising strategy with colleagues and management of a donor portfolio.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Maintain the accuracy, functionality, and integrity of database records of individual constituents, in concert with technology staff; generate database queries and reports
• Draft and manage 3-4 print and digital individual giving appeals annually, interfacing with an external graphic designer and printer/mail house, in concert with our communications department
• Enter donations from individual donors and generate acknowledgments for tax reporting purposes and assist in producing notes from the President and Advancement Committee
• Conduct prospect research; draft prospect briefings for ACLS President and board members
• Serve as frontline contact with board members, current and prospective donors via phone, email and in-person; as a member of a two-person development office, this role requires a friendly, warm and positive demeanor with all constituents and the ability to respond proactively to oral and written communications
• Coordinate in-person events such as Board dinners, small gatherings hosted by Board members and assist with virtual events
• Draft and maintain support section of the ACLS website
• Draft donor lists for Annual Report in concert with technology staff
• Coordinate activities with other ACLS departments as necessary, including collaborating with communications, finance and IT

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 2-3 years of relevant experience in an administrative capacity or office environment, preferably in nonprofit fundraising or special events
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; strong interpersonal skills
• Superior organizational skills with strong attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments in a deadline-driven environment
• Capacity to work both independently and collaboratively
• Willingness to try new tasks and learn skills on the job and a desire to learn and grow as a development professional
• Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Word and Excel
• Experience with CRM databases preferred
• Must be willing and able to travel to multi-day events within the US 1-2 times a year, and to coordinate and attend occasional evening events
• Must be able to push, pull and carry up to 20 pounds

Office policy and salary:

• ACLS is currently operating on a hybrid schedule, with in office presence up to 3-6 times a month. Staff are expected to be available during ACLS’s normal hours of operation, from 9am-5pm ET.
• Candidates will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon commencing employment. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exemptions to this requirement in accordance with applicable law.
• Salary range: $60,000 - $65,000

ACLS is an equal opportunity employer. ACLS is committed to addressing systemic inequalities in higher education through its programs, initiatives, and practices. In recognizing the existence of structures and systems that have historically and still hurt the most marginalized people in society, we believe our work in diversity and inclusion should center on these communities. We strongly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and members of other historically and systemically disadvantaged groups, who are committed to fostering equity in the academy. ACLS provides a competitive package of salary and benefits.