Compensation: $90,000 – $115,000
Start Date: ASAP
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana.
Deadline: Position is open until filled. Priority will be given to applications received before September 1, 2025.
About PJI
The Promise of Justice Initiative (PJI) is a New Orleans-based organization that stands at the forefront of the fight for the liberation, freedom, and autonomy of Black people and all those targeted and touched by the criminal legal system and mass incarceration.
PJI moves life-changing work:
Because racism and mass incarceration are entrenched and pervasive foes, PJI’s approach is multifaceted, including collective action, legislative advocacy, civil and criminal litigation, and reframing narrative discourse.
We challenge the notion that prisons keep us safe and that people with convictions should have no rights. We fight for freedom for people sentenced to die in prison. PJI blocks harmful legislation and pushes for dignity-advancing legislation. PJI partners on and co-strategizes social movement work with hundreds of currently incarcerated people. We advance the voices of survivors of violence and challenge the death penalty. Our work builds powerful authentic stories, pushes counter-narratives, and changes discourse. The world that PJI pushes for is one where the legal system recognizes freedom and dignity as universal rights and that embodies an ethos of transformation, restoration, and safety.
Summary of Position
The Director of Development (DD) enthusiastically supports resource generation to raise $3 million annually so that PJI can fulfill its mission. The DD oversees fundraising and donor cultivation and recognition systems, sets departmental and organizational goals, maximizes auxiliary revenue streams, and maintains relationships with partners and other stakeholders. The DD is a core member of the leadership team, reporting directly to the Executive Director and supervises PJI’s Development Associate and Communications Associate.
Who We Are Looking For
This work is hard on every level. PJI optimistically and strategically fights for a better future and requires staff who are committed to one another and to people who are incarcerated or otherwise harmed by the criminal legal system.
PJI is committed to hiring smart, talented, skilled people who have directly experienced the issues that we fight against. People who are formerly incarcerated, survivors of violence, working class, LGBTQ+, and people of color are all strongly encouraged to apply.
Essential Functions
Development and Fundraising
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, develop and implement annual development plans of $3 million + encompassing grants, individual and corporate giving, donor engagement, and stewardship.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with individual and corporate donors, including direct engagement with high-level donors to increase giving.
• Oversee donor CRM maintenance to ensure accurate tracking, recognition, and strategies that boost donor retention and overall contributions.
• Submit timely, compelling grant proposals; manage grant reporting; and support cultivation of strong funder partnerships.
• Research and pursue new funding opportunities, including small foundations, corporate sponsors, and innovative initiatives, sometimes in collaboration with CAFA volunteers.
• Plan and execute fundraising and donor stewardship events, including development of timelines, marketing, RSVP tracking, and coordination of vendors, supplies, and logistics.
• Compile donor data and prepare leadership reports with key fundraising metrics.
• Cultivate strategic community partnerships and explore additional revenue-generating opportunities aligned with PJI’s mission.
Communications
• Supervise the Communications Associate and provide strategic oversight of messaging and content to support fundraising, donor engagement, and public visibility.
• Collaborate with the communications and storytelling teams to develop compelling messaging and materials that reinforce PJI’s mission and support donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Ensure consistent branding and oversee key communications deliverables, including reports, digital content, and media engagement, aligned with development strategy.
• Support organization-wide messaging by coordinating with leadership and staff to enhance engagement and elevate PJI’s impact.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Communications Associate, Development Associate
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range is $90,000 – $115,000. Salary levels are guided by PJI’s Collective Bargaining Agreement and are based on years of relevant or direct experience.
• Flexible paid time off, most Federal holidays, Fridays in August, and winter holiday season off.
o 24 office closure days
o 16 days of Paid Time Off initially; 25 days after 3 years
• 100% payment of health insurance (including partner and dependent insurance)
• Health and Dependent Care FSA
• 5% 401k match after 6 months of employment
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• The National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW) union represents eligible employees at PJI.
• 5+ non-profit fundraising experience with proven track record of success in major gifts, corporate and foundation giving, and special events.
• Experience raising budgets of more than $1 million.
• Demonstrated experience successfully stewarding donors and producing or coordinating fundraising events
• Ability to work well on teams and strong leadership and project management skills
• Strong prospect identification and qualification skills
• Proven communication skills and experience leading communication and fundraising event efforts
• Proficiency with fundraising software and digital platforms including MS Office Suite, Airtable, Slack, Bloomerang, web hosting and domain providers (e.g., Squarespace)
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading ability
• Commitment to anti-racist work, education, working with diverse groups of people and marginalized communities
• Positive, solutions-focused attitude and strong self-motivation
• Flexibility including a willingness to work long hours when necessary
How to Apply
Submit an application package containing the following:
1. Cover letter. The cover letter should be no more than 3 pages, and should include (but is not limited to):
How your personal and professional experience intersects with people impacted by the carceral system and racism (both);
The skills or expertise you are most excited to bring to this position.
2. Resume or CV
3. Email address for 3 References:
2 people who can speak to your professional skills.
1 person who can speak to how you think about or engage in racial justice issues.
(this can be family, friend, colleague, mentor etc.)
Please submit application materials via the form found at https://promiseofjustice.org/jobs.
Deadline: Position is open until filled. Priority will be given to applications received before September 1, 2025.
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