** To apply, please submit a résumé and a cover letter describing your interest in the ABF 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%)
Grant Acquisition & Management (40%)
Other duties not listed above may be required of this position.
Required Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
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:
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.
Qualified candidates will be asked to participate in the following process:
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.