The ACLU of Arizona works to advance equity and dismantle systemic injustice through legal action, policy advocacy, and mobilizing our communities to protect the civil rights, liberties, and dignity of all Arizonans.
Position Overview
The Philanthropy Associate is a key member of the Philanthropy Department, working closely with and supporting the team with donor data management, preparing research and reports, donor solicitation and gift acknowledgments as well as administrative duties such as scheduling and event logistics. The Associate will also coordinate responsibilities with the Administrative Department and collaborate with all departments across the ACLU of Arizona as well as the national ACLU office. The ideal candidate for this position is detail-oriented, highly collaborative, with strong communication skills, and thrives working with data and systems to inform our goals and strategy.
Location: Arizona; Phoenix preferred.
Compensation: $57,000 – $79,000, commensurate with experience. This is a union position represented by NOLSW/UAW Local 2320. Compensation is determined by the collective bargaining agreement and follows a structured scale with regular step increases based on years of relevant experience.
Deadline to Apply: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority deadline for applications is September 17, 2025.
Supervision: The Philanthropy Associate is part of the Philanthropy Department and reports to the Director of Philanthropy
Classification: Full-time, exempt
Position Responsibilities
Database Administration and Operations
- Meticulously maintain the accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality of donor database information.
- Input and maintain data including all incoming donations and donor contacts in the donor database.
- Maintain reporting schedules and produce reports as necessary.
- Maintain and update Philanthropy Department dashboards measuring progress to goals.
- Ensure Philanthropy Department procedures and practices are well documented.
- Maintain database systems and problem solve issues as they arise.
Donor and Member Relations
- Process gifts and produce donor acknowledgements for donations in a timely manner.
- Prepare daily income reports and work with the Administrative Department to process deposits.
- Compile monthly philanthropy reports and reconcile these with the Finance Director.
- Collaborate with the Finance Director and ACLU National to prepare annual reconcililiation reports, audits, and other financial documents as needed.
- Maintain department filing and tracking systems for donor communications and correspondence.
- Respond to and resolve donor and member inquiries in a timely manner.
Administrative Support and Events Coordination
- Coordinate logistics for all department events; attend events and donor meetings as needed.
- Support the Philanthropy Department by preparing donor mailings.
- Assist with departmentscheduling and meeting logistics with donors.
- Aid in grants research and compiling documents for grant reports.
- Draft correspondence and reports as requested.
- Support research and qualifying new donors.
- Other duties as assigned.
Department Support and Collaboration
- Contribute to the development and implementation of department planning, processes, and practices.
- Develop a solid understanding of the ACLU’s structure, programs, and protocols.
- Collaborate with other departments of the ACLU of Arizona as necessary to support our integrated advocacy model that combines legal, policy, organizing, and communications to achieve affiliate goals.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
Be an active contributor to the organization and development team’s efforts to think creatively, ambitiously, and openly about how we can better integrate equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging into our day-to-day operations as well as our fundraising practices, goals, plans and work with donors and supporters.
Qualifications
This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. While no candidate will possess every quality, the successful candidate will possess many of the following qualifications and attributes. Even if you aren’t sure but are excited about the position, we encourage you to apply.
- Demonstrated commitment to civil rights, civil liberties, and the ACLU of Arizona’s mission.
- Minimum of 2 years of office coordination/administrative support experience in a professional environment, with preference for experience working in development at a non-profit organization.
- Must have experience working with databases; donor databases (CRM) or Salesforce experience preferred.
- Excellent computer skills, including proficiency with software including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Asana, and Canva (or similar systems).
- Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal skills and enthusiasm for building strong professional relationships with donors, board members, volunteers, staff, and the general public.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to speak comfortably and compellingly with donors about the potential impact of their philanthropic investments in the ACLU.
- A commitment to Community Centric Fundraising (CCF) principles and a belief that fundraising must be grounded in social and racial justice and equity.
- A commitment to the highest ethical standards and best practices in fundraising, including working collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and/or conflicts.
- A commitment to non-partisanship and a willingness to have at-times difficult conversations with prospects and donors.
Cultural Competencies: Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity, views about differences, and the ability to learn and build on varying cultural and community norms. A complex understanding of racial justice and the urgency of confronting institutional racism and inequity. Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture. Proven history of working across lines of race, immigration status, ethnicity, language, class, gender and other identities and experiences including record of arrest or conviction.
Working Conditions: The ACLU of Arizona offices are open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The physical demands and work environment described below represent those required and encountered by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Inputting information into a computer for extended periods of time.
- Periodically working extended hours, including some evenings, weekends, and holidays.
- Regular travel locally and in-state as needed.
Why work for the ACLU of Arizona?
Time off: Staff get 15 vacation days their first three years; 20 days after four years. We observe 16 holidays and in addition all staff have 1 personal day off each month.
Benefits package: We cover 100% of health, vision, and dental insurance for employees and 50% for dependents. We provide life and disability insurance, as well as reimbursement of some out-of-pocket healthcare related expenses. Staff are reimbursed for cell phones and home internet.
401k Plan: We want you to be prepared for retirement! We match 100% of the first 1% of your salary deferred to your 401k, plus 50% of the next 5% of your salary contribution. And then, we contribute an additional 2% of your salary contribution each pay period.
Commitment to our staff: We invest in staff growth and professional development opportunities and are committed to providing regular feedback and opportunities for advancement.
Crystal clear focus: Our team focuses on some of the most important and urgent issues of our times – from abortion rights, voting rights and democracy, LGBTQ+ rights, criminal legal reform, immigrants’ rights, border justice, and racial justice.
Our team is amazing: You will be working with incredibly dedicated, smart, and caring people who know how to have fun while getting a lot done in a low-ego environment. In addition to your Arizona colleagues, you will become part of a national network of ACLU staff in all 50 states plus D.C. and Puerto Rico!
How to Apply:
Email your resume, cover letter, and two professional references to jobs@acluaz.org. Include “Philanthropy Associate” in the subject line. In your cover letter, please tell us how you learned about the job, how your qualifications make you the right person for this job, and about your interest and experience with civil rights, liberties, and social justice. All attachments should be in Word or PDF format.
No phone calls or walk-ins, please.
The ACLU of Arizona undertakes inclusive strategies in its recruitment and employment efforts to assure that persons with disabilities have full opportunities for employment in all positions. We encourage applicants with disabilities who may need accommodation in the application process to contact jobs@acluaz.org.
Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority deadline for applications is September 17, 2025.
The ACLU of Arizona is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction.