** To apply, please submit a résumé and a cover letter combined as a single PDF. **

About the ABF

The ABF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institute that expands knowledge and advances justice through rigorous empirical research on law, legal processes, and legal institutions. The ABF's primary sources of funding for its $9.1 million operating budget are an annual grant from the American Bar Endowment (ABE); public and private sector research grants; and individual contributions from the Fellows of the ABF, a global honorary society of attorneys, judges, faculty, and scholars. While the Fellows program provides general operating support of approximately $2.5 million annually, the ABF seeks to diversify its revenue by significantly strengthening its major gifts and grants program.

Position Overview

The Director of Major Gifts and Grants will report to the Executive Director (ED) and collaborate closely with the Senior Director of the Fellows (SDF). Ideal candidates will have a track record of cultivating relationships with donors, leading to significant gift commitments; establishing corporate partnerships; and writing successful grant proposals.

Key Responsibilities

Donor Identification, Cultivation & Stewardship (60%)

• Implement effective strategies for donor development across the donor life cycle: identification-cultivation-solicitation-stewardship.
• Work with ED and SDF to build and manage a strong donor pipeline, including individual donors, foundations, and corporations.
• Engage ABF Board and other volunteer leadership in identifying and cultivating prospective major donors and foundation funders.
• Cultivate existing donor base for planned or legacy gifts.
• Build and maintain donor recognition strategies, from peer-to-peer acknowledgement to naming opportunities.
• Work with SDF and Fellows Events Manager to cultivate event sponsors for conversion to program or project support.
• Provide timely activity and pipeline reports and revenue forecasts.

Grant Acquisition & Management (40%)

• Supervise full-time Senior Grants and Development Associate.
• Oversee development of strong grant pipeline, including foundations, corporations, and government agencies (e.g., NSF, DOJ).
• Oversee ABF’s grant application, writing and reporting processes for private, corporate, local, state, and federal grant opportunities.
• Define targets and strategies for increasing grant proposal to funding rate and grant renewal rate.
• Work with internal staff (e.g., Director of Finance, Program Manager) to ensure effective compliance and reporting on all grants.

Other duties not listed above may be required of this position.

Required Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in nonprofit development, including direct supervisory experience
• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Proven track record of soliciting and securing major gifts
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit fundraising best practices
• CRM database experience, preferably Raiser’s Edge
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, PowerPoint)
• Commitment to the ABF’s mission and to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
• Must maintain valid U.S. work authorization and Illinois residency throughout employment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education or research organizations
• Experience identifying and securing research grants from public and/or private funders
• CFRE or other fundraising certification

Work Structure and Environment

This is a full-time (35 hours per week), exempt position. ABF employees are expected to work at the ABF offices on Northwestern University’s Chicago campus at least two days per week, and to work within the state of Illinois on the other days. Standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with a one-hour lunch period. Occasional work outside of these hours is expected in connection with ABF events (e.g., Board meetings). Some out-of-state travel may be necessary.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position will be $85,000 to $95,000. Full-time staff benefits currently include:

• Immediate enrollment in 403(b) retirement plan with automatic employer contribution (5%) AND employer match (additional 5%)
• 35-hour work week, plus early-dismissal Summer Fridays
• 17 holidays (including a winter recess); 15 vacation days; 10 sick days, 5 personal days; paid family/medical leave; other leave as needed
• Flexible work scheduling and/or comp time
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, subsidized according to plan
• Flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA)
• Transit and parking benefits, including discounted parking
• Life insurance
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

• Legal assistance plan
• Corporate discounts
• Other perks offered by the ABF and Northwestern University

How to Apply

Please submit a résumé and a cover letter explaining your interest in the ABF as a single PDF via Breezy. Applications submitted through other platforms will not be reviewed. No phone calls, please. Note: A pre-employment background check is required for final candidates. Past convictions do not necessarily disqualify a candidate from employment.

The American Bar Foundation (ABF) is firmly committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons, including providing reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants. All decisions regarding employment will be made without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age; ancestry; certain arrest or criminal history records; citizenship; color; disability; gender; gender identity; genetic information; housing status; marital status; military status; national origin; order of protection status; parental status; pregnancy; protected activity (e.g., reporting of prohibited discrimination or harassment); race (including traits associated with race such as hair texture or hair styles); religion; reproductive health decisions; sex; sexual orientation; source of income; status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, gender violence, or any other crime of violence or who have family or household members who are victims of such violence; unfavorable discharge from the military; or any other status or classification protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.