Fundraising and Communications Manager Job Description

MUST SUBMIT THROUGH Application Link: https://bit.ly/alasFCMApp

About ALAS

We believe that all students deserve educational access, career options and freedom. The U.S. is the mass incarceration capital of the world. ALAS removes barriers to education, career and freedom for and with youth affected by immigration and legal courts. We organize youth to train educators with trauma-informed approaches to support their students by connecting undocumented students with legal representation, and advocating for students to remain in schools instead of being in jail during the pre-trial period. Together with educators, students and families, we advocate for policy change, reimagining systems to center the gifts, talents, leadership, and brilliance of our youth.

Role Overview

The Fundraising and Communications Manager is responsible for building and maintaining strong systems for ALAS’ grant writing & reporting, donor communications & relations, and strategic fundraising. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional interpersonal skills, a passion for achieving results, and demonstrated leadership and management abilities. They should be detail-oriented and strategic in their writing and communications, with the ability to tailor messages effectively for diverse audiences. Highly organized with outstanding time-management capabilities, they excel at juggling multiple priorities and independently solving challenges. They are collaborative yet self-sufficient, willing to both develop and implement processes. No task is too small, and no detail escapes their attention. The Fundraising and Communications Manager will focus primarily on the following major priorities:

• Develop and execute our fundraising & communication strategies. Identify and analyze the giving landscape, conduct prospecting, assist and set up the ED to deliver and close. You get community partners champion ALAS because they know our success is theirs.
• Set goals and collaborate with ED on a strategy to renew at least 80% of existing funders. Cultivate new relationships and opportunities to close the full budget by the start of each fiscal year.
• Collaborate with the Director of Finance and Operations to execute and improve a sophisticated and accurate data tracking system that provides timely analysis for reporting and team decision-making.

Compensation

The salary for this full-time position is $60,000, non-negotiable with an annual cost-of-living raise. This is a 90-day contract-to-hire role. This full-time role is based in New Orleans, requiring in-person work only, with a commitment of 40-50 hours weekly depending on the season of the year and needs of each week.

• 6 weeks paid time off. of those 17 days are designated, 2 of those weeks fall around the New Year (dates vary per year based on school partners), and 13 days are chosen by each teammate
• $500 monthly per teammate towards health, dental, and vision insurance options
• Ongoing professional development
• Work computer

Grants Management: Manage & deepen grant applications, budgeting, and reporting.

• Coordinate with ED and Director of Finance & Operations to develop and maintain accurate budget projections for the organization and its programs
• Develop, update, and execute processes & procedures to facilitate the effective management and operation of all grants
• Manage and submit grants calendar of letters of intent, proposals, and reports to ensure all deadlines are met
• Collaborate with the Director of Finance and Operations to track planned grant expenditure as needed as well as track significant changes

Communications: Create, manage & improve systems for communications & storytelling

• Create, manage, and improve systems for organizational communications and storytelling
• Represent ALAS with integrity in all internal, and external communications, and messages
• Develop targeted communication strategies for specific donor segments or stakeholder group
• Plan and execute online fundraising campaigns, including digital initiatives such as GivingTuesday
• Formulate, review, and edit communications content such as newsletters, social media posts, website updates, and press releases

Individual Giving & Events: Enhance & maintain donor interaction, sponsors, and partners.

• Enhance and maintain relationships with donors, sponsors, and partners
• Cultivate new donors and steward existing donor relationships through routine updates, campaign oversight, and collaboration with Team Manager to ensure alignment with the organization's mission
• Solicit and develop strategies for major gifts from high-value donors

Work Requirements

• Spanish speaker preferred; willingness to learn Spanish quickly is required
• Must be available to work 100% in person in New Orleans, and remotely during evacuation or quarantine
• Excitement to travel for multiple night team trips or conferences 4-12 times per year
• Eagerness to attend community events and meetings that will occur some nights and weekends
• Must have a strong work ethic and flexibility in response to our school and community partners
• Must be fully vaccinated because we work in and with schools
• Tech requirements: Phone, computer, internet, Zoom and WhatsApp
• Significant experience in fundraising, communications, or nonprofit management, with demonstrated success in managing donor relationships, executing fundraising campaigns, and crafting compelling communication strategies.
• Experience with grant writing and reporting, event planning, and using tools like Salesforce or similar CRM systems
• Experience working in an organization with a values-driven culture that prioritizes directly affected people, racial equity, diversity, and inclusion

Application and Hiring Info

• The hiring process will include an application, hiring tasks, multiple interviews, and reference checks
• Additional conversations, meetings or event attendance may be part of the interview process
• To minimize bias, the written application will be a blind process, anonymizing names of applicants
• Interviewers always include youth, and at times educators, attorneys and other community partners

Applications will be accepted until a hire is made. Earlier applications will be prioritized. Once a hire has been made, this link will no longer be active. The volume of applications received will determine how quickly we are able to move between phases, as we are a very small team with a high volume of high-stakes work. All applicants will be notified of candidacy status at each stage.

Application Directions: Fully read the job description and application. Complete and submit all requested materials.

Application Link: https://bit.ly/alasFCMApp

Anticipated Start date: April 21, 2025

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Experience:

• Fundraising: 3 years (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• New Orleans, LA 70117 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $60,000