Development Director

Maryland Legal Aid (MLA) advocates with and for Marylanders experiencing poverty to achieve equity and social justice through free civil legal services, community collaboration, and systemic change.

Since 1911, Maryland Legal Aid has provided high-quality legal aid to vulnerable, low-income people and communities – helping to remedy their civil legal issues and become empowered to overcome challenges, achieve stability and independence, and reach their goals. MLA also identifies and seeks to remedy systemic barriers. MLA’s core work includes eviction and foreclosure prevention, family law, children’s rights, consumer protection, securing public benefits, and access to healthcare. MLA advocates operate primarily through the courts, via individual representation of indigent clients, but also engage in impact litigation, public communication and outreach, and policy advocacy.

Through this holistic approach, Maryland Legal Aid serves to amplify the voices of tens of thousands of economically disadvantaged and vulnerable Marylanders each year and seeks to be a leader in the legal services field nationwide.

About the Role 

Maryland Legal Aid is seeking a talented and passionate individual to build a Development program that will grow fundraising over the next 3 to 5 years. The Director is responsible for leading fundraising efforts across both individual and corporate fundraising. The Development Director will manage annual fund campaigns via email and direct mail, work with our vendor to promote planned giving, cultivate mid-level donors, and work with the Chief Development and Communications Officer to prospect and solicit corporate partners. This role contributes to expanding digital reach, strengthening donor relationships, and executing data-driven campaigns while collaborating within a specialized team structure to advance the organization’s mission and secure vital support to advance social justice and connect communities with critical legal services.  

About the Team   

You’ll be joining a newly formed, integrated Development and Communications team at Maryland Legal Aid, an energetic group of 10 professionals, including our dedicated 5-person Grants team. Led by our new Chief Development and Communications Officer, this team is charged with bringing fresh momentum to how we tell our story, engage supporters, and expand our funding base. Together, we’re building a collaborative, mission-driven culture that connects communications and development strategy to elevate Maryland Legal Aid’s profile and grow a vibrant community of donors, partners, and advocates for justice.  

Responsibilities  

• Build and maintain a portfolio of 50-75 major and mid-level donors and prospects  
• Maintain and execute thoughtful moves management strategies, tracking in the CRM, to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors in assigned portfolio  
• Ensure a high level of donor satisfaction and engagement by creating an executing a effective donor stewardship program with the support of the team  
• Oversee two community facing events hosted in conjunction with our volunteer Equal Justice Council and Equal Justice Associates for audiences between 250-100 guests, and strategize 3-4 new smaller cultivation events with donors and prospects   
• Lead planned giving marketing with vendor support  
• Identify and cultivate corporate partners and work with Chief Development and Communications Officer to cultivate and pitch corporate prospects  
• Work with Chief Development and Communications Officer in stewarding our volunteer groups such as our Equal Justice Council, Equal Justice Associates, and others   
• Contribute to event strategy and lead sponsor engagement for key fundraising events  
• Support the success of annual fund campaigns by advising on best practices and creative tactics and offers   
• Manage fundraising related vendors such as Bloomerang CRM, Bloomerang Fundraising (formerly QGive), and planned giving vendor  
• Supervise and support the professional growth of the Development Coordinator  

Qualifications  

• 7 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with a focus on individual giving and major gifts; corporate fundraising experience a plus  
• Strong writing and communication skills  
• Experience with donor databases, moves management, reporting (Bloomerang a plus)  
• Experience planning and executing annual fundraising campaigns and sponsorship programs  
• Experience planning and executing fundraising and public-facing events.  
• Organized, proactive, and data-driven  
• Commitment to equity and justice; ability to communicate with empathy and cultural competence   

Work Environment 

This position is based in the Baltimore City office and is a hybrid role with a minimum of two-days per week worked in person. More days in-person may be needed to attend leadership and other relevant meetings. Work duties are typically performed at a desk with regular interaction in-person, videoconference, instant messaging, and email.  

Benefits  

The salary range for this position is $96,000 - $115,000. In addition, MLA offers employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, three weeks of paid time off, paid sick leave, 14 annual paid holidays, and more.   

Application and Additional Requirements  

If you are ready to join in our important mission and ensure dignity, equity and justice for all, please submit a resume and cover letter describing your interest and qualifications with your online application.

Note that references will be required at the time of the final interview.   

Maryland Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace, reflective of our core values, for all employees.