The National LGBTQ+ Bar (“the Bar”) was founded almost forty years ago by a small group of family law practitioners at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis. In 1987, the idea of creating a gay and lesbian bar association was formally introduced at the Lesbian & Gay March on Washington and the first Lavender Law® Conference took place the following year at the Golden Gate University in San Francisco. In 1992, the Bar became an official affiliate of the American Bar Association. The LGBTQ+ Bar’s annual Lavender Law® Conference & Career Fair now sees over 2500 registrants each summer, and the LGBTQ+ Bar supports thousands of LGBTQ+ and ally legal professionals through its law student programming, state and local bar affiliate program, and much more.
Job Summary and Primary Function
The LGBTQ+ Bar seeks a Development Manager whose primary function is to provide substantive and administrative support to the development work of the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association and Foundation, including the Bar’s largest annual event, the Annual Lavender Law® Conference and Career Fair. This position will include direct fundraising and stewardship, fundraising and membership support communications, event support, grant support, and database management. The Development Manager is a frontline fundraiser and will be responsible for bringing in corporate and individual support for the organization. This position is highly relational and requires regular engagement with donors and prospects. The Development Manager reports to the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and works closely with the entire Development team.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Fundraising, Donor Relations, and Community Engagement
- Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer to execute strategies to qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward corporate and law firm entities to support the LGBTQ+ Bar’s various programs and events held throughout the year
- Build meaningful relationships with individual donors through personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. The Development Manager will be expected to bring knowledge and skills to help grow the LGBTQ+ Bar’s individual giving program
- Work with the Chief Development Officer to oversee the planning and implementation of outreach for the organization’s major giving circle, with the goal of increasing support through regular engagement and stewardship of existing members, identification and solicitation of new donors, and the coordination of meetings, webinars, and gatherings that strengthen its impact.
- Work with the Development Team and the rest of the staff to create and coordinate fundraising and membership materials, including appeals, event signage, and digital invitations as well as other communications to constituents
- Strategically lead communications, engagement, and convenings for the LGBTQ+ Bar’s Alumni Council, fostering meaningful connections and strengthening the organization’s ongoing engagement with former board members.
Database Management
- Assist in maintaining the membership and donor database, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records for donors, sponsors, and members
- Work with Development Associate and Development Assistant to ensure timely acknowledgment letters, tax receipts, and thank you notes to donors and sponsors
- Analyze fundraising and membership data and prepare reports for Chief Development Officer
Event Support
- Provide support, including in taking ownership in ensuring the successful execution of various fundraising events, including certain components of the Lavender Law® Conference & Career Fair as well as smaller events
Grant Support
- Conduct prospect research on potential foundation and corporate donors
- Assist with writing and editing letters of inquiry, grant applications, and follow up reports
- Track grant deadlines and requirements
- Compile necessary documentation and attachments for grant proposals and reports
Preferred Skills
- Familiarity with Bloomerang CRM and Fundraising systems, or other donor database
- Experience with mail merge, email marketing software (ex: Mailchimp), and basic graphic design tools (ex: Canva)
- At least 3 – 5 years of experience firsthand with prospecting and cultivating relationships that lead to increased nonprofit funding, preferably in the legal and/or LGBTQ+ space
Salary Range and Hours
- Full-time, salary exempt position
- Pay Range: $72,000 to $87,000 per year, DOE
Hiring Locations
The National LGBTQ+ Bar is looking to hire in one of the following states: Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington State, or Washington DC. Candidates outside of these states will not be considered.
Miscellaneous
If in the DC metro area, process mail, deposit checks, and order office supplies as needed (most likely need to work in-office once a week)
Skills Required
- 3–5 years of firsthand experience prospecting and cultivating relationships that lead to increased nonprofit funding
- Familiarity with Bloomerang CRM, fundraising systems, or another donor database
- Experience with mail merge
- Experience with email marketing software such as Mailchimp
- Experience with basic graphic design tools such as Canva
- Ability to work in Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington State, or Washington DC
What We Do
The National LGBTQ+ Bar Association and Foundation is a nationwide network of legal professionals, law students, activists, and affiliated organizations. It promotes justice and equity for the diverse LGBTQ+ community through advocacy, education, and collaboration within the legal profession. The organization connects and supports members, advances inclusion in the field, and convenes legal professionals through national programming, including its annual Lavender Law conference and career fair.
