Development Associate
Beyond Legal Aid is reimagining what legal aid can be through community activism lawyering. The Development Associate plays a key role in supporting fundraising, donor engagement, communications, and event initiatives to expand Beyond’s impact.
Responsibilities
- 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
Skills
- 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
- Social Media Example(s), preferably video content if available
Benefits
- 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
Company Overview