Location: Remote (LA or Milwaukee preferred)
Hours: 20 hours per week
Compensation: $30,000–$60,000 annually
About Us
For the past several years the Center for the Working Poor has been in the process of building a new experimental recovery program that we are tentatively Twelve-Step for Everyone, which we believe can build a new base of activated people for progressive social change in the United States. It is an ambitious project to create a recovery program, not just for addicts, but for everyone.
Rooted in our ancestral history, and embedded still today in many of our spiritual and religious traditions, mutual aid is a different way of meeting our needs that is self-sustaining, scalable, and accessible. One of the best representatives of this alternative model is 12-Step, which is arguably the largest mutual aid society in the world today. Millions of people use it to remain sober from chronic addictions; find a community of support for living with loved ones suffering from addiction; heal from the effects of growing up in a dysfunctional family; restore healthy boundaries around emotional/sexual attachment; and recover from various other compulsive patterns of behavior. What we need is a program for everyone: which can both address the egoic programming, shortcomings, or various destructive patterns we all need to heal and grow from, and also mobilize participants into a progressive movement ecosystem.
The Christian right has recognized and co-opted the 12-step model, adapting it into a conservative evangelical framework,called Celebrate Recovery, that serves as both a recruitment tool and an ideological pipeline into specific churches. Within right-wing religious networks, 12-step programs have been integrated into church-based recovery ministries that do more than provide support—they cultivate a disciplined base primed for political mobilization. This structure has been used in service of anti-abortion activism, reactionary social policies, and broader right-wing organizing efforts.
Progressives, for the most part, have ignored this phenomenon. The 12-step model holds enormous potential for progressives, offering a replicable and sustainable framework for community-building, leadership development, and collective transformation.
Position Overview
We are seeking a strategic and relationship-driven Part-Time Development Director to lead our fundraising and donor engagement efforts. The Development Director will play a key role in cultivating donor relationships, securing funding from individuals and foundations, and ensuring effective grant management.
Key Responsibilities
Donor Engagement & Fundraising
- Develop and manage donor lists, ensuring accurate records and strategic outreach.
- Identify and cultivate new donors, deepening relationships with existing supporters.
- Plan and conduct donor meetings to strengthen engagement.
- Craft and deliver compelling fundraising pitches.
- Create fundraising materials and assets to support donor engagement.
- Act as the primary liaison between the organization and its donors.
- Organize educational events for funders to increase awareness and support.
- Develop strategies to cultivate different levels of donors, from small contributors to major gifts.
Foundation & Grant Development
- Research and develop multiple strategies to secure foundation funding.
- Manage grant applications and ensure timely, accurate grant reporting.
- Track and report fundraising progress, ensuring transparency and alignment with organizational goals.
Qualifications & Skills
- Proven experience, or deep desire to learn-- nonprofit fundraising, donor relations, and grant writing.
- Strong relationship-building and communication skills.
- Ability to create compelling fundraising pitches and donor materials.
- Experience/and or ability to plan donor-related events.
- Knowledge of foundation fundraising and grant reporting best practices.
- Self-motivated and organized, with the ability to work independently in a part-time role.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please submit the following:
Resume – Include your relevant experience, skills, and contact information.
Cover Letter – Describe your qualifications and why you are interested in this role.
Where to Apply:
Application Deadline: April 15
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. Thank you for your interest!
