Development Associate

Organization Overview

Beyond Legal Aid (Beyond) is reimagining what legal aid can be. Using our “community activism lawyering” model, we unite lawyers and grassroots organizers to help marginalized communities access justice and pursue systemic change.

Our 23 community partners lead the way – each Beyond program is community-located, community-operated, and community-directed, ensuring that legal support strengthens local movements rather than replacing them. Beyond also operates a 24/7 national immigration helpline for those without access to an attorney across the country. 

Since 2014, Beyond has worked alongside more than 33,000 community members across Illinois and the nation, advancing immigrant justice, housing stability, family safety, and broader social change.

Position Overview

The Development Associate plays a key role in supporting Beyond’s fundraising, donor engagement, communications, and event initiatives. As a core member of the Development Team, the Associate contributes to the systems, materials, and relationships that sustain our work and expand our impact.

This position is well-suited for a career professional interested in nonprofit fundraising, grant writing, strategic communications, and donor relations within a legal advocacy and mission-driven environment. The Associate Works under the direction of Development leadership and collaborates with relevant staff across the organization.

• Assist with drafting and editing public communications, newsletters, annual reports, and other organizational materials

• Support social media content creation aligned with organizational messaging and fundraising priorities across Beyond’s social platforms

• Collaborate with staff and community partners to create campaign stories, gather data, and showcase impact highlights

• Provide development-related support as instructed by leadership

• May assist with development-related materials connected to board engagement, as appropriate
  

• Conduct research on funding opportunities aligned with Beyond’s mission and program areas

• Assist with the preparation of letters of inquiry, grant applications, and renewal materials

• Support development of interim and final grant reports, including data gathering and narrative drafting

• Help maintain grant and data tracking systems, deadlines, and associated documentation

• Support donor engagement activities, including outreach, cultivation, and stewardship, in coordination with the Development Team

• Help maintain accurate donor records and giving histories

• Assist with donor prospect research to strengthen Beyond’s network of supporters

• Assist with planning and executing fundraising events, including the annual fundraiser, cultivation events, and community-based gatherings

• Coordinate event logistics, guest lists, partner outreach, marketing materials, and post-event follow-up

• Support onsite event operations as needed

• Provide support to various committees and volunteers

• Assist with drafting internal and external development reports, including our annual report

• Maintain organized systems for development materials, documents, and data

• Enter, update, and analyze donor and program data in relevant CRM and database systems

• Provide general support to the Development Team and contribute to department-wide initiatives

• Participate in staff meetings, cross-departmental collaboration, and internal committees as assigned

• May provide guidance or support to interns or temporary staff supporting development activities

• Other responsibilities as assigned

• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate, and persuasive materials

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

• Interest in nonprofit development, grant writing, communications, law, or related fields

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, mission-driven environment

• Commitment to social justice and alignment with Beyond’s community-driven model

• Experience with design tools such as Adobe or Canva
  

• Experience with nonprofit development, communications, community organizing, or related work

• Familiarity with donor databases, CRM systems (such as Little Green Light), or data management tools, including Google Suite

• Research experience (academic or professional)

• Experience with video editing and production

• Professional competency or fluency in another language

• Basic accounting skills, strongly preferred
  

Annual salary range is $45,360 - $61,004, salary commensurate with experience and determined through Beyond’s collective bargaining agreement; eligible for a performance-based bonus of up to $2,000 per fiscal year.  A competitive benefits package is provided and includes:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance at 90% coverage

• Participation in an organizational 401(k)

• Paid time off, holidays, 1 floating holiday

• Professional development opportunities

• Hybrid work schedule with a mix of flexible and fixed hours: Beyond currently operates four days remote and one day in-person at our downtown Chicago office

(A full and current benefits summary can be provided upon request.)

As an equal opportunity employer, Beyond works intentionally with the communities we serve, and we strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as people of color, LGBTQIA , disabled, socioeconomically diverse, immigrants or children of immigrants, or from backgrounds underrepresented in the legal and nonprofit sectors.

Please send the following materials to hiring@beyondlegalaid.org:

1. Cover letter describing your interest in the Development Associate position and connection to Beyond’s mission
2. Resume
3. One writing sample (2–5 pages)
4. [Optional] Social Media Example(s), preferably video content if available

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Finalists will be asked to provide references.