Development Director

Injustice Watch, a nonprofit, investigative newsroom, is seeking an ambitious and thoughtful development director to lead our fundraising efforts. The ideal candidate is an experienced fundraiser, highly knowledgeable about and comfortable working with foundations and major donors. The development director will work closely with the executive director and the development manager to develop, oversee, and execute a strategy that helps us fully fund our $2M+ annual budget.

The development director is a part of our leadership team, providing their perspective and expertise on all relevant decisions.

• Further develop and refine a fundraising strategy that addresses short and long term organizational goals.
• Cultivate, solicit, and steward a revenue portfolio that includes foundations, major donors, board members, and other sources of revenue.
• Guide and support the fundraising work of your colleagues, including the executive director and the development manager.
• Manage Injustice Watch’s giving calendar, including proposals, reports, and consistent stewardship.
• Oversee fundraising campaigns through Injustice Watch’s weekly newsletter and via additional mail and email campaigns.
• Work with our board of directors to engage their peer networks in our fundraising work.
• Serve as staff liaison to the development committee of the board.
• Work with other members of the leadership team to understand our editorial and community engagement work and advocate for it.
• Ensure timely and meaningful donor recognition and engagement.
• Plan and execute occasional fundraising events, donor appreciation events, and community-based fundraising initiatives.
• Oversee the use and practices of our fundraising tools and donor database.
• Represent Injustice Watch in physical and digital spaces with care and intention.
• Foster and maintain an equitable, collaborative, and inclusive work culture.

• Has at least 8-10 years of development experience and a track record of effective fundraising work.
• Is knowledgeable about Chicago’s journalism ecosystem and/or philanthropic community.
• Is flexible, adaptive, and possesses strong interpersonal skills.
• Is committed to building a caring work environment and culture by respectfully providing and accepting feedback, encouraging work-life balance, and providing steady and consistent mentorship.

• Are knowledgeable about Chicagoland history, politics, institutions, and communities.
• Have experience with nonprofits that focus on journalism, policy, government, the legal system, or other similar fields.
• Have experience managing CRM usage and best practices.

Reports to: Executive director

Directly supervises: Development manager

Also works closely with: Audience director, operations director, editor in chief

Time commitment: This is a full-time position based in Chicago. Our regular working hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Injustice Watch offers flex-time. While there is no regular requirement to work from our downtown office, employees are encouraged to use it, as needed, and required to attend some in-person meetings and events.

Compensation and benefits

Salary: $105,000 to $120,000, commensurate with experience

Benefits of working at Injustice Watch:

• 12 days paid time off (in the first year of employment)
• 12 days of sick leave
• 13 holidays
• A paid winter break and “Summer Fridays”
• Healthcare, dental, and vision insurance (100% coverage for employees)
• A $1,500 annual professional development and workspace stipend
• A 6-month family leave plan, including 3 months paid and 3 months flexible leave
• A $50/month phone and internet stipend
• A flexible work schedule
• A 401K plan

About Injustice Watch

Injustice Watch is a Chicago-based nonprofit journalism organization that examines issues of equity and justice in the court system.

Our goal is one of public service: to listen to and center people affected by institutional injustices and provide our community with the perspectives, information, and resources needed to hold power to account. We promote transparency and accountability in the court system through our large-scale, investigative projects. We work to ensure equitable access to information and strengthen democracy through intentional audience engagement and community-building.

Our work is guided by our core values of accessibility, collaboration, and care.

Since launching in 2015, Injustice Watch’s reporting has shifted policy and legislation, prompted investigations, sparked town halls and community conversations, helped increase voter participation in judicial elections, and more.

Apply here.

The Final date to receive applications is Sunday, February, 15 at 11:59 p.m. CT