Development Manager

Ready to Make a Difference?

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY), a nonprofit civil legal services program, is seeking a Development Manager to join its Operation Team. LASNNY's mission is to fight for fairness, dignity, and justice for those living in poverty and for a society that is inclusive and equitable for all. We transform lives, build communities, and empower people by using the law to address individual and systemic wrongs and inequities. Our service area spans sixteen counties, in upstate New York, encompassing six regional offices. This position is based out of our Albany Office but serves our entire region. For more information about our work, staff, and clients, visit

We are a unionized program with excellent benefits, offering generous time off, excellent health insurance coverage with premiums primarily paid by LASNNY, health and long-term disability insurance, retirement contributions, tuition reimbursement, qualifying moving expenses, and flexible hybrid-remote and alternative work schedules.

About the Role

The Development Manager leads LASNNY's fundraising and donor engagement efforts by implementing strategic development initiatives, cultivating philanthropic partnerships, and overseeing day-to-day development operations. Reporting to the Director of Operations, this role manages a portfolio of donors and prospects, strengthens donor stewardship, and plans and executes key fundraising and engagement events, including the annual Golf Tournament, Donor Appreciation events, and the Justice for All Awards Dinner.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the development and implementation of comprehensive fundraising strategies that advance the organization's mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities.
• Develop, coordinate and execute fundraising campaigns, appeals, and donor engagement initiatives.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit individual, corporate, and private foundation gifts through meetings, calls, and other direct appeals.
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities, including grants, sponsorships, and major gifts.
• Provide strategic guidance, briefing materials, and fundraising support to program and executive staff, equipping them to effectively cultivate, solicit, and steward individual donors.
• Collaborate with project management to plan, coordinate, and execute fundraising and donor engagement events.ip activities.
• Develop compelling donor communications, fundraising appeals, reports, proposals, presentations, and other development materials.
• Collaborate with leadership, program staff, and the Board of Directors to advance fundraising efforts and strengthen donor engagement.
• Serve as lead administrator for the donor database; maintain accurate donor records and track fundraising activities, donor interactions, and gift revenue using LASNNY's donor management system.
• Monitor fundraising performance and prepare reports on campaign outcomes, donor trends, pipeline activity, and revenue projections.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable fundraising regulations, ethical standards, and reporting requirements, including acknowledgement of all donations in a timely fashion.
• Represent the organization at community events, networking opportunities, and stakeholder meetings to enhance visibility, cultivate relationships, and expand philanthropic support.
• Work collaboratively with the Communications Manager to prepare development-related content for social media and other publications.

Skills and Education

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
• 7 to 10 relevant years of experience in fundraising, development, or nonprofit advancement.
• Demonstrated success as a self-starter managing donor portfolios and securing individual, corporate, and organizational gifts.
• Experience building and sustaining relationships with law firms, corporations, and institutional donors.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Experience managing donor databases/CRM systems and generating reports to support fundraising strategy and performance tracking.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interface with donors, trustees, volunteers, and colleagues throughout the organization professionally and effectively.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment while managing competing deadlines.
• New York State Resident with reliable transportation
• Commitment to LASNNY's mission of ensuring access to justice.
• Preferred Qualifications: Extensive experience working for civil legal services or related human services, not for profits.

Work Environment

This position operates in a professional law office environment and occasionally may require the carrying of regular office supplies. This role requires the use of standard office equipment and software and remote videoconferencing platforms. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. This position requires frequent travel to meet with prospective donors and host fundraising and outreach events across our 16-county service area. Employees are required to have their own transportation. At LASNNY we value a diverse, inclusive workforce, and we provide equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual's race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local laws. We strongly encourage applications from women, BIPOC, LGBTQI+ persons, protected veterans, applicants and recipients of public assistance, older adults, and people with disabilities.

If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at LASNNY and we will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.