Equal Justice America
Director of Development Equal Justice America
Location:Remote or Hybrid (Richmond, VA)
Reports to:Executive Director
Type:Full-time, Exempt
Experience Level:MidSenior Level
Anticipated Start Date:Early 2026
About Equal Justice America
Equal Justice America (EJA), founded in 1993, funds law students and graduates to work with legal aid and civil rights organizations across the country. Our Fellows advance justice for people facing eviction and housing insecurity, domestic violence, immigration challenges, veterans issues, youth justice concerns, disability rights barriers, and other obstacles that deny low-income individuals fair access to the legal system. Through 30+ years of partnership with 700+ organizations, 100+ law schools and more than 6,500 Fellows, EJA has become a cornerstone of support for the nations legal aid community.
The Opportunity
EJA seeks a Director of Developmentto lead and expand its national fundraising program. Reporting to the Executive Director, this senior role will design and implement strategies to grow individual and institutional giving, engage EJAs Advisory Board and alumni network, and build sustainable support for signature initiatives such as the Veterans Rights Project. This is a prime opportunity for an entrepreneurial fundraiser to shape EJAs next phase of growth and strengthen access to justice nationwide.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies across individual, major, and institutional giving.
Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, alumni, law firms, foundations, corporate partners, and community allies.
Reinvigorate and expand EJAs Advisory Boarddriving engagement, giving, and recruitment of new leaders (especially alumni and partners at major firms).
Build a sustainable donor base for the Veterans Rights Project, leveraging interest among veterans, veterans organizations, firms, and corporate allies.
Manage the grants pipeline (LOIs, proposals, and reports).
Produce compelling donor communications, newsletters, and impact reports.
Collaborate closely with the Executive Director to align fundraising goals with organizational priorities and budgets.
Why Work With Us At Equal Justice America, youll help shape the future of access to justice in America. This is a chance to lead development at a respected national nonprofit where ideas move quickly, results are tangible, and every dollar raised opens doors for law students and communities in need. Youll work closely with the Executive Director and a small team to expand programs that change livesand join a mission-driven organization that values creativity, autonomy, and purpose over bureaucracy. First-Year Outcomes (What Success Looks Like) Fundraising Plan: Develop and execute a clear, data-informed fundraising plan with goals across major gifts, alumni giving, grants, the Advisory Board, and the Veterans Rights Project.
Donor Relationships: Build and deepen relationships with a diverse mix of donors, alumni, and institutional partners, maintaining a consistent rhythm of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Advisory Board Engagement: Reinvigorate the Advisory Board by re-engaging inactive members, strengthening participation, and recruiting new leadersespecially alumni and partners from major firms who can help expand EJAs reach and resources.
Veterans Rights Project: Lay the foundation for a sustainable, revenue-producing initiativetransforming early interest from individual veteran supporters into an engaged donor community and identifying pathways for growth through partnerships with veterans organizations, law firms, and corporate allies.
Alumni Engagement: Launch an alumni engagement effort that fosters connection and inspires giving among former EJA Fellows.
Grants & Communications: Strengthen the grants calendar to ensure a consistent pipeline of LOIs, proposals, and timely reports, and produce four concise, donor-ready newsletters and campaign updates highlighting measurable impact.
Growth & Reach: Demonstrate measurable progress in increasing annual giving and broadening EJAs base of individual and institutional supporters, laying the foundation for continued growth.
Qualifications Minimum 5 years of professional experience in development/advancement.
Proven success securing major gifts and managing donor portfolios.
Experience with alumni engagement or cause-based networks.
Excellent communication, relationship management, and strategic planning skills.
Strong writing and storytelling ability.
Commitment to EJAs mission of expanding access to justice.
Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: $85,000$100,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Health and dental coverage; paid time off (PTO); flexible remote or hybrid work arrangements. To Apply Submit a cover letter, rsum, and three references to applications@equaljusticeamerica.org with the subject line: Director of Development Application [Your Name] Applications accepted through December 31, 2025. Equal Justice America is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. recblid h0tjqxalgthqc9ljsc9d6kfi6nolb9
Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, alumni, law firms, foundations, corporate partners, and community allies.
Reinvigorate and expand EJAs Advisory Boarddriving engagement, giving, and recruitment of new leaders (especially alumni and partners at major firms).
Build a sustainable donor base for the Veterans Rights Project, leveraging interest among veterans, veterans organizations, firms, and corporate allies.
Manage the grants pipeline (LOIs, proposals, and reports).
Produce compelling donor communications, newsletters, and impact reports.
Collaborate closely with the Executive Director to align fundraising goals with organizational priorities and budgets.
Why Work With Us At Equal Justice America, youll help shape the future of access to justice in America. This is a chance to lead development at a respected national nonprofit where ideas move quickly, results are tangible, and every dollar raised opens doors for law students and communities in need. Youll work closely with the Executive Director and a small team to expand programs that change livesand join a mission-driven organization that values creativity, autonomy, and purpose over bureaucracy. First-Year Outcomes (What Success Looks Like) Fundraising Plan: Develop and execute a clear, data-informed fundraising plan with goals across major gifts, alumni giving, grants, the Advisory Board, and the Veterans Rights Project.
Donor Relationships: Build and deepen relationships with a diverse mix of donors, alumni, and institutional partners, maintaining a consistent rhythm of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Advisory Board Engagement: Reinvigorate the Advisory Board by re-engaging inactive members, strengthening participation, and recruiting new leadersespecially alumni and partners from major firms who can help expand EJAs reach and resources.
Veterans Rights Project: Lay the foundation for a sustainable, revenue-producing initiativetransforming early interest from individual veteran supporters into an engaged donor community and identifying pathways for growth through partnerships with veterans organizations, law firms, and corporate allies.
Alumni Engagement: Launch an alumni engagement effort that fosters connection and inspires giving among former EJA Fellows.
Grants & Communications: Strengthen the grants calendar to ensure a consistent pipeline of LOIs, proposals, and timely reports, and produce four concise, donor-ready newsletters and campaign updates highlighting measurable impact.
Growth & Reach: Demonstrate measurable progress in increasing annual giving and broadening EJAs base of individual and institutional supporters, laying the foundation for continued growth.
Qualifications Minimum 5 years of professional experience in development/advancement.
Proven success securing major gifts and managing donor portfolios.
Experience with alumni engagement or cause-based networks.
Excellent communication, relationship management, and strategic planning skills.
Strong writing and storytelling ability.
Commitment to EJAs mission of expanding access to justice.
Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: $85,000$100,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Health and dental coverage; paid time off (PTO); flexible remote or hybrid work arrangements. To Apply Submit a cover letter, rsum, and three references to applications@equaljusticeamerica.org with the subject line: Director of Development Application [Your Name] Applications accepted through December 31, 2025. Equal Justice America is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. recblid h0tjqxalgthqc9ljsc9d6kfi6nolb9