Development Associate
Development Associate
Position Open Until Filled
First Review of Applicants Scheduled for November 18, 2025
The ACLU of Washington (ACLU-WA) advances liberty and justice in the courts, in the legislatures, in the streets, and at the ballot box. Our work is rooted in the belief in a future where everyone in Washington, particularly those who have been historically and systematically denied full enjoyment of their promised civil rights and liberties, are finally free to do so without barriers. Defending and advancing these fundamental rights and core values relies on the contributions of exceptional staff. Learn more about the ACLU-WA.
ACLU-WA is seeking a full-time (35 hours per week) Development Associate. This position reports to the Development Director and will support our work by performing administrative and logistical functions for the team, including database maintenance, event coordination and providing responsive customer service to our supporters.
The Development Department focuses on cultivating and building deep connections with donors who support the defense and expansion of civil liberties in Washington state. Grounded in the principles of Community Centric Fundraising, the team connects supporters to ACLU-WA’s mission through thoughtful engagement that inspires, guides and grows generous philanthropic partnerships.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Create and circulate meeting agendas, coordinate scheduling, and take notes to support organized and productive meetings.
- Perform administrative and logistical tasks to support the successful planning and execution of development events.
- Assist with preparing and distributing donor and event related mailings.
- Add and update key events and milestones in the development calendar.
- Create templates and send development emails to supporters.
- Monitor incoming email and voicemail to ensure timely and responsive communication.
- Conduct donor research in alignment with approved privacy and policy practices.
- Maintain reliable development account information through accurate data entry and data hygiene practices.
- Act as the primary point of contact for general development questions and engage appropriate stakeholders to resolve issues.
- Maintain the team file-sharing systems.
- Provide support to staff with events and assist the development team with special projects.
- Perform other duties within the scope of the role as needed.
- Demonstrated commitment and willingness to engage in Community Centric Fundraising practices.
- Strong customer service skills with a solutions-oriented approach focused on enhancing process and procedures for overall efficiency.
- Strong communication skills, over the phone, by email and in person.
- Ability to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, donors, allies and other external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to engage well with people with a wide range of interests, backgrounds and lived experiences.
- Strong time management and organizational skills with attention to detail and follow through.
- Ability to prioritize tasks, adapt and reprioritize to meet shifting priorities.
- Strong collaboration skills and experience working in a team environment, with the ability to work independently.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and email, with the ability and willingness to learn new software.
- Capacity to handle confidential information with discretion and follow established privacy and data protection protocols.
- Experience providing administrative support on a fundraising team in a nonprofit setting preferred.
- Prior experience and proficiency with client relationship management platforms is strongly preferred.
- Experience with project management software platforms preferred.
FUTURE ACLU'ERS WILL
- Be committed to advancing the mission, vision and values of the ACLU.
- Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives.
- Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts.
LOCATION: Seattle, Washington
CLASSIFICATION: This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. The ACLU-WA reserves the right to change the content of this posting at any time without advance notice. This position is “non-exempt” under the Fair Labor Standards Act and approved up to one (1) fulltime equivalent (FTE).
WORKING CONDITIONS: The position requires maintaining some physical file records and word processing and is expected to observe an in-person hybrid workstyle. This position is required to work in the office a minimum of two (2) days per week.
MENTAL DEMAND: Decision-making, high emotional intelligence, giving and receiving feedback and building trusting relationships. The nature of this work can be emotionally demanding and requires thoughtful and clear communication and resilience.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The ACLU-WA observes a hybrid workstyle, with some staff working primarily remotely while others work in the office several days a week. Our office is generally open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and is located in downtown Seattle.
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.
- Input information into a computer for long periods of time.
- Access information communicated through a computer.
- Work some evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
- Navigate downtown Seattle for work-related tasks, events, and meetings.
TOTAL COMPENSATION: The ACLU-WA seeks to provide equitable and competitive compensation for attracting and retaining staff with the skill, judgment, and perseverance to confront challenges to civil rights and civil liberties and build a state where all people live with dignity and equity, enjoying freedoms unimpeded by racial and economic injustice and other forms of oppression. We provide a mix of compensation for staff that is intended to address today’s needs and allow planning for tomorrow and into retirement. As such, the ACLU-WA has adopted a salary scale for measuring how to best compensate its employees.
The hourly wage for this position is $34.74 - $41.61. A range indicates the intention to accommodate those with varying years of relevant experience, as determined by the salary scale.
BENEFITS: Generous benefits include three weeks of vacation, twenty-three sick days, twelve holidays and 2-weeks paid office closures, employer-paid professional development, fully paid employee medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance, an employer contributed retirement plan, student loan reimbursement, family care and adoption assistance, life insurance, and an ORCA card, the regional transportation pass.
ACLU-WA provides laptops, home office supplies, certain equipment, and technology support. You will need an effective Wi-Fi connection and a way to communicate by phone. This position is eligible for a work phone, as well as an additional $150 stipend each month to help cover any additional costs while working from home.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: To apply, please submit a cover letter and résumé on our online job portal. In your cover letter, please explain the ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above. We also invite applicants to include how their background and/or experience could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and donor development work in their cover letter.
HIRING TIMELINE: This position is open until filled with the first review of candidates scheduled for November 18, 2025. We will schedule interviews with qualified candidates after the first review of candidates.
REFERENCES: Please submit with your application three (3) professional references who can provide feedback about and have direct knowledge of your work experience. Note that there may be outreach to other references that fall outside of your designated list. We will extend a conditional offer of employment before conducting reference checks.
The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, socio-economic circumstance, or record of arrest or conviction. We do not conduct criminal background checks on our candidates. People of color, women, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
ACLU-WA is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email hiring@aclu-wa.org to receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the application process. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding accommodations during the interview process.
The ACLU is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. The ACLU encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, socio-economic circumstance, or record of arrest or conviction. We do not conduct criminal background checks on our candidates. People of color, women, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.