Development Volunteer or Intern

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Mission: Responding to a critical societal need, Aquinas Literacy Center empowers adults by providing English as a Second Language instruction through individualized tutoring in an environment that respects and reverences individuals. We enable learners to transform their lives by acquiring skills to become successful parents, productive workers and responsible citizens.

History: Aquinas Literacy Center (ALC) is a community-based organization located in McKinley Park on the southwest side of Chicago. Since 1996, ALC has served the immigrant community by offering free individualized instruction in the English language. Using trained, volunteer tutors, Aquinas serves over 200 learners annually. Learners participate in weekly tutoring sessions, conversation groups, writing workshops, book clubs, computer-based instruction and computer literacy workshops. ALC is sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Purpose: The Development Volunteer/Intern will develop and execute existing and future fundraising plans, including identifying donor prospects. The Development Volunteer/Intern will create and implement a strategy to deepen Aquinas’ reach by raising awareness of our program, mission, impact in the community, and need for volunteers.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Development Volunteer/Intern:

• Maintains Aquinas Literacy Center’s donor base, coordinates individual donor mailings and prepares donor acknowledgements
• Produces three mailings to individual donors throughout the year: annual report, winter appeal and spring appeal
• Conducts research on funding prospects, writes and submits grant proposals, completes required reports and follows up with foundations when appropriate
• Identifies individual, corporate and foundation donor prospects through suggestions from staff, Board of Directors, and friends of the literacy center
• Increases and diversifies revenue and donor base
• Develops an annual fundraising plan
• Initiates donor mailings and fundraising events geared toward the learner population
• Assists with the development of promotional materials
• Maintains current records in database and in paper files to track grant writing and reporting
• Collaborates in the creation and execution of new fundraising events
• Assists with the development of Aquinas Literacy Center’s Board of Directors and Junior Board
• Assists in creating marketing materials to inform the community about the Center’s mission and promotes the program through citywide media outlets
• Attends weekly staff meetings and participates in Aquinas Literacy Center’s events

Required Qualifications:

• At least 18 years of age
• Some college education or current enrollment in college
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and internet research
• Extremely detail oriented and highly organized with the ability to prioritize
• Above average writing abilities and exceptional proof-reading skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Passionate about the mission of Aquinas; able to inspire others to support Aquinas

Preferred Qualifications:

• Fluency in Spanish or Mandarin
• Experience in development or with fundraising
• Experience with grant writing

Time Commitment and Compensation:

The Development Volunteer/Intern commits one semester (12 weeks) for 8-20 hours per week. At least 50% of hours must be completed on-site at 3540 S. Hermitage Ave. in Chicago. The Development Volunteer/Intern must attend all Aquinas events. Aquinas Literacy Center is open Mondays through Thursdays 9am to 8pm, and staff are at the Center from 9am to 4pm on Fridays.

Aquinas Literacy Center will do its best to accommodate any school and/or degree program requirements. Please note that this is an unpaid internship.

The right candidate will be considered to perform all work remotely. Preference will be given to Chicago area candidates.

To Apply:

Submit cover letter, resume, and 3 references toKristen Dempsey Pasyk, Volunteer Coordinator, at aquinasliteracy@gmail.com. At least one reference that can speak to your experience or education in development or fundraising is strongly preferred. Please include "Development Volunteer" OR "Development Intern" in the subject line (based on your preference). Priority deadline is Thursday, December 17, 2015 for the Spring 2016 semester.