Development Associate Jobs in Alexandria, VA (NOW HIRING)

Organizational Overview

DC Affordable Law Firm (DCALF)is rooted in the conviction that income should never be a barrier to justice. Founded in 2015 to help close access to justice gaps in the District of Columbia, DCALF serves an expansive range of hardworking DC residents unable to afford market-rate legal services, including modest-income residents whose household incomes put them just beyond the limits of traditional legal aid and low-income residents navigating unmet legal needs. Through innovative programming and a commitment to equity, DCALF delivers overwhelmingly free legal services in family law, probate, estate planning, and immigration, bridging the gaps in DC's civil justice system and delivering transformative legal services that empower DC residents to thrive.

Across the past decade, DCALF has solidified its role as a mainstay DC legal services organization with a staff of 30-plus and a strong network of institutional partners and pro bono volunteers. DCALF serves more than 800 clients annually, reaching hundreds more through community education and outreach across DC. DCALF's award-winning annual post-graduatelegalFellowship programs play an essential role in expanding access to justice, empowering recent law graduates to become skilled public interest attorneys and lifelong champions for justice to build a moreequitable future.

Position Overview

DCALF seeksa DevelopmentAssociatetohelp advance the organization's mission, relationships, and growth, providinghigh-leveladministrative,operational,and project supportforDCALF's Development operations and communications, both internal and external.This position willreport directly to theDevelopmentDirectorand will work closely with theDevelopment Directorto support the Executive Director inadvancing the organization's fundraisingefforts.Thisopportunityis idealfor a highly organized, proactive, and relationship-oriented professionalwho thrives in a dynamic environment,enjoys variety, takes initiative, and is energized by the opportunity to makemeaningful contributionsand impactsacrossagrowing nonprofit organization.

TheDevelopmentAssociate will serve as a key partner to theDevelopment Director,helping ensure that the organization's executive, fundraising, communications, and development operations run smoothly and effectively. The role will encompass a broad and engaging portfolio ofresponsibilities, including gift entry, revenue tracking, and donor acknowledgment; email and social media content development and account management; communications; event planning and execution; internal and external meeting coordination; Board meeting support; and special projects that advance organizational priorities.

The successful candidate will be a thoughtful problem-solver who can anticipate needs, exercise sound independent judgment, communicate with professionalism and warmth,advance projects independently while consistently meeting expectations, and is motivated by the opportunity to contribute to an organization working to expand access to justice for District residents.

Core Responsibilities

Core responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

DevelopmentOperationsSupport

• Manage gift entry, revenue tracking, and donation acknowledgements, usingDCALF'scurrent and future systems,identifyingopportunities for enhanced efficiency and improved workflows asappropriate.

• Work with the Development Director to ensure that the ExecutiveDirector'sdonor, stakeholder,contact,and meeting notes are integrated into fundraising effortsand systems.

• Work with the Development Director toprepare research, briefing materials, and background informationto ensurethe Executive Directoris prepared for key meetings and speaking engagements, including arranging and managing travelas needed, and coordinating and tracking follow-up and action items.

• Help coordinate andsupportExecutive Director's participation infundraising events and campaigns.

• Support donor communicationsbydraftingthank youletters,preparing correspondence on behalf of the Development Director and Executive Director, and developing donor reportsfor review and use.

• Assistwith compiling reports or presentations for funders, stakeholders,andinternalmeetings. Liaisewithcontractors and vendors as needed.

Event Support

• Support the Development Director in planning,coordination, and executionof DCALF's annual Celebration ofAccessibleJustice, including:

• Web, communications, and social mediacontent development andcoordination

• Sponsorship tracking

• Donor and host committee outreach tracking

• Event vendor communications

• Support planning,logistics, execution, and staffing other outreach, stakeholder engagement,and fundraising events as needed.

Board Support

• Assistwithscheduling board meetings,preparing board materials as needed, and coordinatingdelegated action items and follow-up reports.

• Maintainaccurateboard membership records and documentation, including organizational affiliations, committee assignments, and membership terms.

• Maintain current board contact information and distribution lists, including the board email group account.

This position description is intended to provide an overview of the primary responsibilities and expectations associated with the role, but it is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, skills, or working conditions. As DC Affordable Law Firm continues to grow and evolve, responsibilities may be refined or expanded to meet organizational needs.Accordingly, employees may be assignedadditionalor different duties, asdetermined by their supervisor and the leadership team, in furtherance of the organization's mission and operational priorities.

In addition to the responsibilities outlined in this position description, every member of DC Affordable Law Firm's team contributes to the organization's broader mission, operations, and success.Employees may occasionally be asked to undertake responsibilities beyond those specificallyidentifiedin their individual role.These responsibilities may include supporting special projects or initiatives,participatingin organization-wide events,assisting colleagues during periods of heightened need, or contributing in other ways to advance DCALF's goals.

Qualifications

Competitive candidates will demonstrateinitiative, strong follow-through, exceptional attention to detail, and outstanding project management skills. They willpossessthe ability to proactivelyidentifykey deliverables and next steps,developand execute action plans, coordinate effectively with relevant stakeholders, and independently drive projects to successful completion with minimal supervision.Excellent interpersonal skills are also key to success in this role.While we understandmostcandidateswillnotpossesseverydesiredqualification,the following are considered priorityareas.

The successful candidate will havean enthusiasm for and interest in nonprofit fundraising and development,plus many of the following skills and experiences:

• 2+years' experiencein a fundraising, development operations, oradministrative support role;clear written and verbalcommunication skills; can synthesize and polish messaging with minimal direction.

• Strongcreativeproblem-solving skills.

• Demonstrated discretion and professionalism when handling confidential and sensitive information.

• Ability to work effectively with stakeholders and individuals across all levels of the organization, includinglegal staff,managers,leadership team, board members, partners, donors, clients, and community members.

• Comfort navigating ambiguity anddemonstratedadaptability and flexibility in respondingtoshiftingpriorities,changingcircumstances,andnew opportunities within a growing, dynamic organization.

• Abilityto prioritize competing demandswhile managing multiple tasksand projects.

• High emotional intelligenceand strong interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate complex relationships with ease.

• Demonstrated ability to effectivelymanage up,anticipateneeds, and ensuretimelytracking andcompletion of priorities, deadlines, and deliverables.

• Demonstrated commitment to social, economic, and racialjustice, anddiversity,equityand inclusion.

• Experiencewith any of thefollowing is a plus:donor communications;CRMs(NetworkForGood, Salesforce,Keela, Raiser's Edge);websitebackend(WordPress,Square Space);socialmedia(Instagram, LinkedIn); Canva or other graphic designplatforms.

• Experience supporting development operations and activities is highly preferred.

• Event planning experience preferred, including budgeting, staffing, day oflogistics, VIP/partner management, sponsor engagement, vendors, venue sourcing, contract negotiations.

• DCALF uses Microsoft 365, including Outlook,SharePoint,and Network for Good.As such, the willingness to adopt and, if necessary, learn these and other core DCALF tech systemsare required to be successful in this role.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time salaried,exemptposition. To uphold organizational pay equity standards,aflatannualizedsalary of$65,000has been budgeted for the first year of employment.In addition, this position is eligible for DCALF's Spanish Language stipend of $2,500 annually for a candidate with a demonstratedproficiencyin spoken and written Spanish.

DCALF offers the following benefits:

• 401(k) retirement plan with 3% employer match.

• Medical insurance and elective dental and vision insurance options.

• Generous paid leave, including vacation,sick, and personal days, winter break closure(Christmas Day to New Year's Day), Thanksgiving break(Wednesday-Friday), and all Federal and local DC holidays.

• Commuter benefits.

• Paid parental/family leave through the DC Paid Family Leave Program.

• Ongoing training opportunities.

Work Environment

DCALF is currently working in a hybrid remote/in-person model, and comfortwithworking in hybrid and remote office environments is necessary to be successful in this role.Due to this position's responsibilities, the selected candidate willbe requiredto work in-person at DCALF'sofficea minimum of two days per week, consistent with DCALF policies and work demands.This position may also require participation in occasional evening and weekend eventsin the District of Columbia, withadvancenotice.Theselectedcandidate for this position mustmaintainfull-time residence in the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia tofacilitateease of access to DCALF's physical office.

Application Process

Interested applicants should apply,including theircover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No calls will be acceptedregardingthisposting.For best consideration, please apply byAugust 28, 2026. Early applications are encouraged.

The anticipated start date for this position is November 2, 2026.

Equal Employment Opportunity

DC Affordable Law Firm is an equal opportunity employer andcomplies withall applicable federal, state, and local fair employmentpractices laws. DCALF strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, sex (specifically including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, unhoused status, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation political affiliation, tobacco use, credit information, status as unemployed, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.