Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Fundraising Support/Counsel, Neighborhood Legal Services Association - Pittsburgh, PA

Posted: 10/5/11

NLSA is seeking a fundraising  consultant to assist us to intensify and an expand our fundraising efforts.  We are seeking assistance on two levels -- both strategy assistance and staff support. Below, please find a Request for Qualifications that further details expectations. 

Qualified responses should be submitted  via email to kirbyc@nlsa.us by Friday, October 14, 2011 at which time a review will begin. Thank you.

Request for Qualifications and Proposal for
Fund Development/Fundraising Consultant

Scope of Work – Fundraising Consultant

NLSA is primarily dependent federal and state funding.   Our main funders are the Legal Services Corporation; the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s Interest on Lawyer’s Trust Account (IOLTA) program; the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network; as well as other federal, state and local sources.  The Equal Justice Campaign, the organization’s annual fundraising effort led by private attorneys, is also an important source of revenue and support as well as are contributions from area corporations and foundations. However, despite the support NLSA receives from these contributors, over the years, NLSA has received a much smaller allocation of funds to serve its client population, despite a growing need for services. 

Due to the overwhelming demand for services and shrinking public funding sources, the NLSA Board of Directors set specific objectives related to funding and giving in its strategic operating plan.  We intend to significantly increase fundraising revenue by targeting new contributors through a customized approach to institutional, corporate, law firm and individual giving.  NLSA must secure unrestricted funds to continue operations.  Therefore we seek fund development and administrative support to:

1. Expand, intensify, and lead our Equal Justice Campaign (our annual private bar fundraising effort) focusing on fundraising from individuals, law firms and corporate legal departments.
2. Provide data base management, including donor list development and maintenance, donor segmentation, and data integrity etc.
3. Prepare donor correspondence and communications
4. Assist in office support for development programs including gift data entry, donor acknowledgement, donor recognition, and data reporting.
5. Work with the staff to develop a 3 year fund development plan that incorporates individual and institutional giving, grant applications and fundraising strategies.
6. Contribute to the development of a master organizational case for support.
7. Research and identify potential funders, underwriters, and event sponsors.  Prepare and submit sponsorship agreements and proposals.
8. Assist in the Board in the development of fundraising roles/responsibilities of its members.

The contract will be for up to one year with an option to renew.

Qualified responses/proposals shall include:

1. A description of experience and qualifications of the person(s) who would providing services including examples of successful fundraising campaigns, grant applications, appeal letters and a 1-2 page writing sample.
2. References of three (3) client organizations including contact information. Please include a brief description of the work done for them including results/outcomes of efforts.
3. Description of how you would address the scope of work in as much detail as you feel necessary.
4. Cost proposal for the services you have described and a brief explanation of methodology used to determine at the proposed cost.

Background Information

Founded in 1966, Neighborhood Legal Services Association (NLSA) offers free civil legal services for individuals and families who would otherwise be denied access to justice, one of the most basic rights that so many of us take for granted. Not everyone can afford a lawyer, especially those living in poverty who already struggle to make ends meet.  NLSA protects the poor and vulnerable individuals in our community through effective civil legal representation and provides assistance to those clients seeking a fair resolution to significant problems including abuse, child custody and child support issues, unfair evictions, mortgage foreclosures, legal barriers to employment, and access to public benefits. NLSA’s clients include hard-working low-wage earners, victims of domestic violence, the disabled, abused seniors, and the homeless, as well as countless others without the resources to afford legal assistance even when their need is desperate. Services may include direct legal representation, legal advice and counsel, referrals, community legal education, self-help clinics, or special projects.   
NLSA enjoys a strong track record of service to the community.  However, the demand for services far exceeds available financial resources.   NLSA has historically relied on governmental funding sources to fuel program operations.  Our current organizational operating budget totals ­­$ 6.8 million (inclusive of in-kind contributions) and is balanced in 2011-2012 utilizing operating reserves.  The organization currently employs 61 staff of which 49 employees (attorneys, paralegals, accounting, and support staff are unionized members of Iron City Legal Aid Workers (ICLAW), a local affiliate of the United Auto Workers.
As a result of our recently completed board-driven strategic planning process, NLSA seeks to diversify its funding base and strengthen the organization’s fundraising capabilities.

TO APPLY: 

All submissions are due to Christine Kirby, NLSA Development Director via email to kirbyc@nlsa.us or mailed to NLSA, Development Office, 928 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 by 5:00 PM Friday, October 14, 2011. Any questions should be emailed to the kirbyc@nlsa.us for reply/clarification.

Please mention that you heard about this opportunity from Dewey & Kaye Jobs Watch in your cover letter when applying for this position.

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