Development Associate

The Development Associate role offers a unique opportunity to work closely with our Chief Development Officer to assist in establishing our newly created Development Department. The focus of the Department is to increase the revenue we currently receive from the private sector (foundations, corporations, etc.) and individuals (annual giving and major gifts).

This position will manage our donor database (including acknowledging all gifts) and grants calendar, conduct prospect research, assist in writing and submitting grant proposals, provide administrative support for our annual giving campaigns (online and direct mail), assist with event planning, and help with donor relations.

Being able to multitask with a positive attitude, having excellent writing and editorial skills, and strong organizational skills are imperative for this position.

This is a hybrid position based in Washington, D.C. Please note that there will be mandatory on-site meetings to attend.

Roles and Responsibilities

Development

• Database Management and Gift Processing
  • Serve as manager of NationBuilder database for the Development department by overseeing all critical decisions on gift coding, gift entering, running reports, acknowledging all donations and determining how RD staff can best utilize the database for all aspects of fundraising.
  • Ensure that all gifts entered in database are appropriately coded and perform ongoing gift data entry for all donations received by the organization.
  • Perform database maintenance and cleanup projects to improve data integrity and database performance.
  • Reconcile gifts with Accounting Department, including routing checks, aligning agency recordkeeping of gifts and grants, and running department revenue reports.
  • Create weekly/monthly/quarterly fundraising reports and other database reports as needed.
  • Manage and streamline electronic and hard filing systems for the entire Department to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of all Department records and data.
• Grant Writing and Prospect Research
  • Write, research, and prepare proposals and program reports for foundations and corporations.
  • Conduct prospect research on potential new funding sources and determine eligibility.
  • Keep the Chief Development Officer informed of new funding opportunities, changes in donor guidelines, priorities, etc., and gather, review, and summarize this information for departmental use.
• Annual Giving
  • Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer to create plans for all campaigns.
  • Manage donor mailing lists using NationBuilder in preparation for all mailings.
  • Work closely with the Partners Communications Unit to create the theme, text, graphic design, and all other aspects of planning and implementing fundraising campaigns. In addition, review and edit all drafts for these campaigns created by our Communications Unit.
• Special Events
  • Provide support for all special events including event setup, registration and check-in, data tracking and organization, financial reporting, assisting with mailings, phone inquiries, in-kind gift tracking, and other duties as designated by the Chief Development Officer.
• Donor Relations
  • Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer to create a “donor cultivation/communications plan with a calendar.”
  • Work with Partners Communications Unit to implement the “donor cultivation/communications plan with a calendar.” The plan will include the content and focus of each correspondence along with the dates to communicate with our donors and donor prospects – impact data, client success stories, donor spotlights (articles from donors that indicate why they provide financial support to Partners), etc.

Qualifications and Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
• 1-2 years of fundraising experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong editorial skills.
• Prior experience with donor databases, i.e. NationBuilder, Razors Edge. Donor Perfect.
• Prior experience with prospect research.
• Prior experience with grant writing.
• Ability to multitask with strong attention to detail, organization, and time management with minimum oversight.
• Demonstrated ability to handle routine administrative tasks and operational issues.
• Demonstrated ability to follow standard practices and procedures, receive general instruction and supervision, and contribute to projects and initiatives.
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in problem-solving and initiative to learn new skills.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to take initiative.
• Strong knowledge of MS Office applications.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to conduct desk research, write effectively, and think critically.
• Demonstrates consistency in quality of work and productivity.

Core & Professional Competencies

Universal

• Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
• Building Trust: Interacts with others in a way that gives them confidence in their motives andrepresentations and those of the organization. Is seen as direct and truthful; keeps assurances, promises, and commitments.
• Cultural Competence: Cultivates opportunities through diverse people; respects and relates well to people from varied backgrounds, understands diverse worldviews, and is sensitive to group differences; sees diversity as an opportunity, challenges bias and intolerance.
• Problem-Solving: Breaks down problems into components and recognizes interrelationships;makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions. Compares data, information, and input from a variety of sources to draw conclusions; takes action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.

Professional Staff

• Collaboration: Builds constructive working relationships with clients/customers, other work units, community organizations, and others to meet mutual goals and objectives; behaves professionally and supportively when working with individuals from various ethnic, social, and educational backgrounds.
• Teamwork: Participates as an active and contributing member of a team to achieve teamgoals. Works cooperatively with other team members, involves others, shares information as appropriate, and shares credit for team accomplishments.
• Adaptability/Resilience: Adapts well to adversity and changes in assignments and priorities. Adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles: approaches change positively and adjusts behaviors accordingly. Effectively adapts to difficult, unexpected situations.
• Communication: Conveys and receives information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the listener, helps them understand and retain the message and invites response and feedback. Keeps others informed appropriately; demonstrates good written, oral, and listening skills.

Officer

• Ability to conduct desk research, write effectively, and think critically.
• Demonstrates consistency in quality of work and productivity.
• Ability to work in a team and independently.
• Ability to quickly learn and use skills required for the job.

Distribution of Time

• 100% Development.
• Travel Requirement: Minimal.

The above job description is an overview of the functions and requirements for this position. This document is not intended to be an exhaustive list encompassing every duty and requirement of this position; your supervisor may assign other duties as deemed necessary.

The salary range for this position is $60,000.00 to $65,000.00 annually.

Partners is Proud To Be An Equal Employment Opportunity And Affirmative Action Employer. Partners Does Not Discriminate In Employment On The Basis Of Race, Color, Religion, Sex (Including Pregnancy And Gender Identity), National Origin, Political Affiliation, Sexual Orientation, Marital Status, Disability, Genetic Information, Age, Membership In An Employee Organization, Retaliation, Parental Status, Military Service, Or Other Non-Merit Factor.