Senior Development Associate

About Acacia Center for Justice:

The Acacia Center for Justice (“Acacia”) provides legal support and representation to vulnerable immigrants facing deportation through the development, coordination, and management of national networks of legal services providers serving immigrants across the country. Acacia’s goals are twofold: to support immigrant legal services and defense networks to provide exceptional legal services to immigrants; and to advocate for the expansion of these programs and the infrastructure critical to guaranteeing immigrants access to justice, fairness, and freedom. Acacia ensures accountable, independent, zealous, and person-centered legal services and representation to protect the rights of  vulnerable immigrants. 

Job Summary:

As the Senior Development Associate at Acacia, you'll play a pivotal role in fostering authentic relationships, mobilizing community support, and driving positive change. You'll collaborate with diverse stakeholders to co-create solutions, amplify community voices, and advocate for social justice. Through strategic development partnerships, innovative campaigns, and impactful events, you'll empower communities, build capacity, and mobilize resources to advance Acacia's mission of immigration justice. With your passion for community engagement, commitment to equity, and dedication to empowerment, you'll help shape a more inclusive and compassionate society where all individuals can thrive and belong. Join us in our mission to create lasting change and make a meaningful impact on the lives of immigrants and refugees across the United States. This position serves as a key project lead within the Development team, taking ownership of assigned fundraising initiatives from planning through execution and helping ensure strong systems, timely follow-up, and meaningful engagement with Acacia’s philanthropic partners and supporters.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

Fundraising and Resource Mobilization

• Support implementation of Acacia’s annual fundraising strategy across institutional, individual, and other philanthropic funding sources.
• Independently manage assigned fundraising projects and opportunities, coordinating internal inputs, timelines, materials, and follow-up.
• Research and identify prospective funders and donors aligned with Acacia’s mission, programs, and strategic priorities.
• Draft and contribute to proposals, letters of inquiry, reports, concept papers, donor briefings, presentations, and other fundraising materials.
• Coordinate with program, finance, research, communications, and leadership staff to gather information and develop accurate and compelling funding requests and reports.
• Track funding opportunities, deadlines, deliverables, and next steps and proactively identify areas requiring follow-up.
• Support the development of new funding strategies and approaches as Acacia responds to emerging opportunities and changes in the immigrant justice landscape.

Donor Cultivation and Stewardship

• Support and, where appropriate, independently manage relationships with a portfolio of donors, prospects, and philanthropic partners.
• Coordinate donor cultivation and stewardship activities, including meetings, briefings, correspondence, acknowledgments, updates, and other engagement opportunities.
• Prepare donor research, meeting briefs, talking points, background materials, and follow-up communications for Acacia leadership.
• Identify opportunities to deepen donor engagement and strengthen relationships with existing and prospective supporters.
• Maintain timely and accurate records of donor interactions, commitments, interests, and next steps in Acacia’s CRM.
• Help ensure donors receive consistent, thoughtful, and mission-aligned communications about Acacia’s work and impact.

Development Operations and Project Management

• Serve as a key point person for the coordination and execution of Development team projects, systems, and workflows.
• Maintain accurate development records, including donor and prospect information, gift documentation, contact reports, funding pipelines, and reporting deadlines.
• Help manage the Development team’s fundraising calendar and ensure deadlines, deliverables, and follow-up activities remain on track.
• Develop and maintain tools, templates, processes, and systems that strengthen Development team efficiency and effectiveness.
• Track fundraising activity and assist with the preparation of internal reports, dashboards, projections, and other development metrics.
• Coordinate across departments to ensure Development has timely access to programmatic, financial, impact, and organizational information needed for fundraising.
• Identify opportunities to improve Development processes and proactively recommend solutions.

Special Development Initiatives

• Lead or coordinate assigned special fundraising and engagement initiatives that advance Acacia’s strategic priorities.
• Develop project plans, timelines, communications, and engagement strategies for special campaigns and initiatives.
• Coordinate internal and external stakeholders to move projects from concept through implementation.
• Support fundraising initiatives that respond to emerging needs and opportunities across Acacia and its national network.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of initiatives and recommend adjustments based on results, feedback, and lessons learned.
• Lead the implementation of special development initiatives aimed at mobilizing resources, building capacity, and fostering community-centric development.
• Design and execute innovative campaigns, events, and projects that engage and empower community members, donors, and supporters.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of initiatives and adapt strategies based on feedback, data, and lessons learned to optimize impact and outcomes.

Development Events and Engagement

• Lead or support the planning and execution of donor briefings, cultivation events, funder convenings, virtual events, and other development-related engagements.
• Manage event logistics, timelines, invitations, registration, materials, vendors, and follow-up as appropriate.
• Partner with Communications and other teams to develop event messaging, promotional materials, and participant communications.
• Ensure events support broader fundraising, stewardship, and relationship-building goals.
• Coordinate post-event follow-up and identify opportunities for continued donor and stakeholder engagement.

Required Skills, Knowledge, Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders effectively.
• Knowledge of community-centric development principles and practices.
• Proficiency in digital campaign management and social media platforms.
• Experience in event planning and execution, both virtual and in-person.
• Ability to manage databases and CRM systems for donor and stakeholder tracking.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Understanding of fundraising principles and strategies, with a focus on relationship building and empowerment.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice, with a passion for Acacia's mission.
• Flexibility and adaptability to navigate dynamic and evolving development initiatives.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge, Abilities:

• Previous experience in nonprofit or community development roles.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and practices.
• Understanding of legal empowerment frameworks and pro se assistance programs.
• Fluency in languages relevant to Acacia's target communities.
• Experience in grant writing or proposal development.
• Knowledge of data analysis and reporting techniques for development metrics.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional development in the field of community engagement and development.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative in identifying opportunities for stakeholder engagement and resource mobilization.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is preferred. However, Acacia recognizes the value of diverse experiences, and applicable work or life experience may be considered in lieu of a formal degree for candidates who demonstrate exceptional qualifications and expertise in the job's requirements.

Compensation and Benefits:

Acacia has established an internal compensation philosophy that centers equity and pay transparency. The salary for this position is set at $96,000.00. The salary listed is just one component of Acacia’s total compensation package for employees. Supporting Acacia staff—both personally and professionally—is our priority.

• Medical/Dental/Vision- Some plans at $0 cost to the employee
• Employee Assistance Program
• 20 days per year of vacation time
• 12 days per year of sick time
• 5 personal days
• 4 organization-wide Wellness Days
• 11 observed holidays, including the last week of December
• First time home office set-up stipend
• Internet Stipend
• 401k with 5% employer contribution, no employee participation required.

People of color and those who have been impacted by the criminal system and immigration system are strongly urged to apply. Acacia is deeply committed to race equality, inclusion and belonging and strives to create a work culture that recognizes everyone's unique lived experience.

To Apply:

Submit your resume and cover letter through the Acacia Careers site. If you encounter technical issues or have accessibility needs, email your resume and cover letter to [email protected] with Subject: ATTN: Human Resources / [Job Title], Acacia Center for Justice

PLEASE ONLY SUBMIT THROUGH ONE METHOD.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

Acacia is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit persons of diverse backgrounds and support their retention and advancement within the organization. We are committed to fostering a workplace culture inclusive of people with respect to their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, marital status, age, disabilities, political affiliation, religious beliefs, or any other characteristic. Our commitment to justice and diversity also means providing a work environment that is welcoming, respectful, and engaging.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities and requirements but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function within our organization.

Acacia Center for Justice is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.