Associate Director for Individual Giving, Development

The American Library Association, a national nonprofit membership organization, is seeking an experienced frontline fundraiser to join its development team as Associate Director for Individual Giving. This is an exciting time for ALA, celebrating its 150th Anniversary as the association expands its donor base during the community-wide phase of the Campaign, For Our Libraries. For 150 Years More.

The Associate Director for Individual Giving manages a portfolio of prospects and current donors, qualifies prospects, cultivates promising relationships, and secures gifts in the mid-level and major giving ranges. This individual stewards donors through intentional engagement.  This individual develops compelling cases for support via written appeals and verbal presentations that reflect ALA’s mission-focused work and align with donor’s interests. This individual contributes to the team’s success through participation and in some cases, planning donor-facing events, presenting on behalf of ALA, contributing to team-wide outreach efforts, and engaging in thought leadership relative to emerging opportunities. 

Frontline Fundraising

• Skillfully manages a donor portfolio, qualifies/disqualifies prospects, cultivates relationships, solicits gifts with compelling proposals, closes gifts to achieve fundraising goals, and engages donors through thoughtful stewarding


• Conducts in-person and virtual meetings, maximizing opportunities for one-to-one engagement with donors, documenting meetings, next steps, and outcomes


• Reengages lapsed donors and identifies opportunities to renew their support.


• Supports early stage planned giving prospects by responding to information requests and helping vet prospects for Director of Development


• Supports ALA donor giving circles including the Legacy Society and 1876 Club


• Closes gifts in the mid-level to major-gift range. For ALA, mid-level is defined as $10,000 to $24,999 and major gifts range from $25,000 to $200,000

Communications and Collaboration

• Develops solicitation appeals, proposals, emails, thank you letters, notes, and contributes to impact reporting


• Partners with ALA Offices, Divisions, and Roundtables about fundraising needs and opportunities


• Works closely with ALA volunteers on selected giving opportunities


• Participates in meetings of the Philanthropic Advisory Group (PAG) and the 150^th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign Committee


• Contributes to donor events, campaign activities, and department-wide outreach efforts.

Fundraising Strategy and Operations

• Maintains complete and accurate donor records, activities, and next steps in Salesforce.


• Monitors portfolio activity, reports progress toward fundraising goals, and provides regular revenue forecasts.


• Maintains gift agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other confidential donor records in designated secure systems.


• Uses department planning and project-management tools to coordinate assignments and meet deadlines.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree


• At least 3-5 years of fundraising experience, including experience cultivating and soliciting individual donors.


• Demonstrated success in closing gifts from individual donors


• Experience building relationships with donors, volunteers, or other external stakeholders.


• Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.


• Proficiency in use of business applications including Microsoft Office, development databases, and search tools


• Occasional overnight travel, and some evening/weekend obligations

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience securing mid-level or major gifts.


• Knowledge of planned-giving principles.


• Experience with Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud and donor-research tools.


• Experience working in a national membership association or nonprofit organization.


• Experience supporting a comprehensive or special fundraising campaign.

This is a regular, full-time position based in either the Chicago Office or the Washington, D.C. Office.

ALA staff are currently working on a hybrid schedule. Please note that although we have a generous telecommuting policy for our employees, we do not have fully remote positions outside of our workplace sites. 

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check and proof of eligibility to work in the United States. 

Salary & Benefits 

Starting salary range is negotiable from $80k based on relevant experience. ALA offers an excellent benefits package that includes flexible work schedules, medical and dental coverage, generous paid time off, a retirement annuity, and a 35-hour work week. You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).  

For Consideration 

Apply online including a cover letter and resume at https://www.ala.org/aboutala/contactus/workatala

The American Library Association is an equal opportunity employer: Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran