Development Associate

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc; Toledo (OH); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is seeking a Development Associate to grow philanthropic support for civil legal aid across western Ohio, with a focus on northwest Ohio.

As a key member of the Development team, you will build donor relationships, coordinate meaningful events, support annual campaigns, and ensure gifts are acknowledged and stewarded with care. This role offers opportunities to pair organized fundraising with a mission that advances justice, equity, and opportunity

Qualifications

• At least three years of nonprofit fundraising and development experience.
• Experience supporting donor cultivation, stewardship, fundraising campaigns, events, or sponsorships.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, follow-through, judgment, and initiative.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience using a CRM or fundraising database.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with colleagues, donors, volunteers, and community partners from varied backgrounds.
• Commitment to ABLE’s mission, equal access to justice, confidentiality, ethical fundraising, and dependable service.
• Ability to work occasional evenings, travel locally within the service area, and participate in occasional overnight travel for meetings, events, or training.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate fundraising, donor cultivation, and stewardship events, including signature campaign events and community gatherings.
• Support corporate sponsorship outreach and manage the benefits and recognition promised through sponsorship and partnership agreements.
• Cultivate donor relationships, solicit contributions, and provide timely, meaningful recognition for new, recurring, lapsed, Donor Advised Fund, and other donors.
• Help lead a steering committee that supports the annual campaign in Toledo and northwest Ohio.
• Conduct and prioritize prospect research on individuals, businesses, private and family foundations, and Donor Advised Funds.
• Prepare donor briefings, proposals, fundraising reports, budget information, and other materials that support engagement and decision-making.
• Track and analyze fundraising progress, trends, and opportunities in partnership with the Director of Development & Communications.
• Maintain accurate donor and gift information in the CRM, including gift processing, sponsorship details, and donor records, in coordination with the Development Assistant.
• Partner with Communications colleagues to create consistent, compelling fundraising messages and content for donor communications, newsletters, the website, social media, and impact stories.
• Represent ABLE and LAWO at community events, nonprofit partnerships, fundraisers, and advocacy-related events.
• Help develop and carry out annual resource development plans and a personal work plan with measurable goals, timelines, action steps, and outcomes.
• Follow ABLE and LAWO gift acceptance, recognition, confidentiality, compliance, and ethical fundraising practices.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Event coordination

Sponsorships

CRM usage

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM system

Job description

Make Justice Your Life’s Work

At Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE), we pursue justice and expand access to opportunity for people with low income through high quality legal representation and advocacy for systemic reform. For more than 50 years, we have partnered with individuals, families, and communities across Ohio to ensure their rights are protected and their voices are heard.

At ABLE, you will use your skills to make a meaningful impact. Whether you join our legal team or support our work in an administrative role, you will be part of a mission-driven organization focused on client-centered advocacy and lasting change.

A Purpose-Driven Career

You will not just work on cases. You will contribute to solutions that improve systems, strengthen communities, and expand access to justice. Your work will reflect your values and lead to real results for people facing barriers to opportunity.

A Culture of Respect and Collaboration

We provide a welcoming, inclusive, and professional environment where every team member is supported. Our collaborative approach and open communication help all of us do our best work.

Opportunities for Growth and Leadership

ABLE invests in its people. We offer mentorship, training, and meaningful experience across practice areas and departments. From day one, you will be empowered to lead, contribute, and grow in ways that benefit your career and our clients.

Support for Balance and Well-Being

We believe in work that is sustainable. ABLE supports a healthy balance between personal and professional life and provides the tools and flexibility to help staff thrive.

If you are motivated by purpose, ready to grow, and committed to making a difference, we invite you to bring your talents to ABLE. Join a team where your work is more than a job. It is part of a shared mission to advance justice.

Explore current openings below and learn how you can join us.

Position:Development Associate

Location: Toledo, OH

Job Id:374

# of Openings:1

Pos ition Available:

Development Associate

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:

ABLE and LAWO are seeking a collaborative, relationship-focused Development Associate to help grow philanthropic support for civil legal aid across western Ohio, with a primary focus on northwest Ohio. As a key member of the Development team, you will turn strategy into action building donor relationships, coordinating meaningful events, supporting annual campaigns, and helping ensure every gift is acknowledged and stewarded with care. This is an opportunity for an organized fundraising professional to pair strong execution with a mission that advances justice, equity, and opportunity for people with low incomes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (other duties as assigned):

• Coordinate fundraising, donor cultivation, and stewardship events, including signature campaign events and community gatherings.
• Support corporate sponsorship outreach and manage the benefits and recognition promised through sponsorship and partnership agreements.
• Cultivate donor relationships, solicit contributions, and provide timely, meaningful recognition for new, recurring, lapsed, Donor Advised Fund, and other donors.
• Help lead a steering committee that supports the annual campaign in Toledo and northwest Ohio.
• Conduct and prioritize prospect research on individuals, businesses, private and family foundations, and Donor Advised Funds.
• Prepare donor briefings, proposals, fundraising reports, budget information, and other materials that support engagement and decision-making.
• Track and analyze fundraising progress, trends, and opportunities in partnership with the Director of Development & Communications.
• Maintain accurate donor and gift information in the CRM, including gift processing, sponsorship details, and donor records, in coordination with the Development Assistant.
• Partner with Communications colleagues to create consistent, compelling fundraising messages and content for donor communications, newsletters, the website, social media, and impact stories.
• Represent ABLE and LAWO at community events, nonprofit partnerships, fundraisers, and advocacy-related events.
• Help develop and carry out annual resource development plans and a personal work plan with measurable goals, timelines, action steps, and outcomes.
• Follow ABLE and LAWO gift acceptance, recognition, confidentiality, compliance, and ethical fundraising practices.

SCOPE & IMPACT:

This position helps strengthen a culture of philanthropy across ABLE and LAWO and directly supports the organizations’ ability to provide high-quality civil legal assistance. The role works closely with Development and Communications colleagues and regularly engages donors, volunteers, community partners, sponsors, and staff across the service area. Success will be measured through effective campaign and event execution, strong donor stewardship, accurate fundraising data, productive community relationships, and progress toward annual fundraising goals.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• At least three years of nonprofit fundraising and development experience.
• Experience supporting donor cultivation, stewardship, fundraising campaigns, events, or sponsorships.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, follow-through, judgment, and initiative.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and experience using a CRM or fundraising database.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively with colleagues, donors, volunteers, and community partners from varied backgrounds.
• Commitment to ABLE’s mission, equal access to justice, confidentiality, ethical fundraising, and dependable service.
• Ability to work occasional evenings, travel locally within the service area, and participate in occasional overnight travel for meetings, events, or training.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience with donor prospect research, annual campaigns, corporate sponsorships, or Donor Advised Funds.
• Experience preparing fundraising proposals, donor briefings, financial or campaign reports, and stewardship plans.
• Knowledge of current fundraising practices, donor communications, data integrity, and nonprofit development trends.
• Experience working in a legal services, social justice, advocacy, or other mission-driven nonprofit environment.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but may lead volunteers or campaign committee members in support of specific initiatives.

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 $60,000. ABLE offers comprehensive fringe benefits, including health insurance, annual leave, sick leave, and supplemental language compensation.

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.

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 recruitmentcoordinator at [e-mail].