Development Assistant

National Legal Aid & Defender Association; Dayton (OH); Hybrid; USD 36,450 - 44,550; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Sick leave

Parental leave

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) in Dayton seeks a Development Assistant to support ABLE and LAWO’s fundraising and donor engagement across 32 counties.

You’ll manage donor data, process gifts, generate reports, and assist in events, reporting to regional development leaders. The role emphasizes accuracy, collaboration with finance, and adherence to donor policies, with a hybrid in‑office schedule after onboarding and a starting salary around $40,500 annually, with benefits

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience in nonprofit fundraising or development support is a plus.
• Familiarity with donor databases and compliance with policies is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Maintain donor database (Raiser’s Edge) and ensure up‑to‑date records.
• Process and acknowledge donations in accordance with policies and IRS rules.
• Generate reports and support financial reconciliation with the finance team.
• Coordinate direct mail and electronic fundraising campaigns.
• Assist in planning and executing fundraising events and development initiatives.
• Support Regional Development Directors with scheduling and logistics.
• Prepare donor communications such as acknowledgment letters and reports.
• Monitor donor trends and provide insights to leadership.
• Ensure compliance with donor recognition policies and gift acceptance standards.

Skills

Attention to detail

Organization

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a regional non‑profit law firm. Our mission is to pursue justice and equity, facilitate access to opportunities for people with low incomes through passionate legal representation, and provide steadfast advocacy for systemic reform. ABLE is affiliated with Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO), also a regional non‑profit law firm that provides legal assistance.

Job Summary

The Development Assistant supports ABLE and LAWO’s fundraising and donor engagement efforts across a 32‑county region. This role works closely with development and finance teams to ensure accurate donor data management, timely gift processing and acknowledgment, and effective coordination of fundraising initiatives and events. The position plays a critical role in strengthening donor relationships and supporting organizational revenue growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and manage the donor database (Raiser’s Edge), ensuring accurate and up‑to‑date donor records, gift tracking, and reporting
• Process and acknowledge donations in accordance with organizational policies and IRS requirements
• Generate reports and support financial reconciliation efforts in collaboration with finance teams
• Coordinate direct mail and electronic fundraising campaigns, including mailing lists and donor communications
• Assist in planning and execution of fundraising events and development initiatives
• Support Regional Development Directors with scheduling, correspondence, meeting coordination, and logistics
• Prepare donor communications, including acknowledgment letters, proposals, and reports
• Monitor donor trends and provide insights to development leadership
• Ensure compliance with donor recognition policies and gift acceptance standards

Scope & Impact

This position directly contributes to the integrity of donor data, compliance with financial and regulatory standards, and the success of fundraising initiatives. The Development Assistant supports revenue generation efforts that sustain ABLE and LAWO’s mission‑driven legal services.

Minimum Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor’s degree preferred

Prior Administrative, Customer Service, Or Data Entry Experience Required

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent organizational, time management, and communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines

Preferred Requirements

• Experience in nonprofit fundraising or development support
• Familiarity with donor databases (Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM systems)
• Experience supporting events or fundraising campaigns
• Knowledge of basic financial reporting principles

Supervisory Responsibilities

none

Physical Demands/Work Environment

Work is performed in a normal office environment. Requires frequent sitting, keyboarding, and face‑to‑face or phone communication. Must possess a valid driver’s license and be insurable. May require walking several blocks or overnight travel. New staff are required to work in the office full‑time during their first 90 days of employment. Following this onboarding period, a hybrid work schedule is available with a minimum of two in‑office days per week.

Compensation, Benefits and Work Location

ABLE is committed to providing an equitable work environment, including a commitment to pay equity. The annual salary range for this position starts at $40,500. ABLE offers comprehensive fringe benefits, including health insurance, annual leave, sick leave, and paid parental leave. This position is based out of Dayton with hybrid work possible and occasional travel between ABLE’s office locations.

Other Duties

Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the incumbent for this job. ABLE can revise or eliminate the requirements and responsibilities of this position at any time to reflect its needs and objectives. ABLE will notify affected employees of any changes and the effective date of such changes.

Equal Opportunity Employer

ABLE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create an environment welcoming to all individuals. Applicants requiring accommodation for the interview/application process should contact the recruitment coordinator at [e-mail].