Development Associate

Position Summary The Development Associate plays a vital role in advancing the mission of D.A. Blodgett – St. John's by providing exceptional administrative, operational, and donor stewardship support to the Advancement team. This position manages the day-to-day fundraising operations that ensure a positive donor experience, accurate gift processing, and effective execution of fundraising initiatives. Working closely with the Development Director, the Development Associate supports annual fundraising activities, grant development, donor communications, prospect research, and reporting. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, relationship-focused, and committed to helping children and families thrive. Essential Responsibilities Donor Relations & Stewardship Serve as a primary point of contact for donor inquiries, ensuring timely, professional, and donor-centered communication. Process charitable contributions and ensure gifts are accurately entered into the donor database. Generate timely, accurate gift acknowledgements and tax receipts. Assist in developing and implementing donor stewardship activities that strengthen donor engagement and retention. Maintain confidentiality of donor information and organizational records. Fundraising Operations Manage the daily administrative functions of the Development Department. Maintain accurate donor records and ensure the integrity of the constituent database. Prepare donor lists, mailing lists, reports, and fundraising metrics. Coordinate pledge reminders, recurring gifts, and gift documentation. Assist with donor segmentation and data management to support fundraising strategies. Support execution of annual giving campaigns, appeals, online fundraising, and donor communications. Grants & Foundation Support research prospective foundation, corporate, and government funding opportunities. Assist with drafting grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and supporting materials. Track grant deadlines, reporting requirements, and submission schedules. Maintain grant files and documentation. Assist with grant reporting by gathering program data, outcomes, budgets, and supporting documentation. Prospect Research Conduct research to identify prospective individual, corporate, and foundation donors. Prepare prospect profiles and briefing materials for donor meetings. Monitor community funding trends and philanthropic opportunities. Events & Community Engagement Provide administrative and operational support to the Director of Corporate Relations & Events in planning, coordination, and execution of fundraising events, donor engagement activities, and community outreach initiatives. Perform event-related responsibilities at the direction of the Director of Corporate Relations & Events, including event registration, sponsorship tracking, guest list management, volunteer coordination, logistics, and on-site event support. Assist with the preparation of event communications, printed materials, sponsor recognition, donor stewardship, and post‑event follow‑up. Support community engagement activities and partnership initiatives that strengthen relationships with donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community stakeholders. Administrative & Department Support Maintain the department fundraising calendar and project timelines. Assist the Development Director with preparing reports, presentations, dashboards, and meeting materials. Prepare agendas and supporting documents for Development Committee and Board meetings. Coordinate department files, contracts, and administrative records. Assist with budget tracking and departmental purchasing as assigned. Provide additional administrative support to advance departmental priorities. Supervision Received Specific Direction – Follows established work procedures. Receives periodic checks for performance. Refers unique questions/conditions to immediate supervisor. Supervisory Responsibilities: No supervisory responsibilities. Minimum Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, business administration, marketing, public administration, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Two or more years of experience in fundraising. Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines. Demonstrated commitment to confidentiality and ethical handling of donor information. Experience with donor database/CRM systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar). Preferred Experience Experience with grant writing or grant administration. Familiarity with fundraising best practices and donor stewardship principles. Experience supporting fundraising events and campaigns. Core Competencies Motivation: Ability to inspire and encourage others by recognizing individual strengths, cultural differences, and personal needs; fostering a supportive environment that promotes productivity, self‑direction, and well‑being. Working under Pressure: Ability to maintain composure and use healthy coping strategies when exposed to stress, while promoting a supportive environment that reduces unnecessary pressure and encourages collective problem‑solving. Planning and Organizing: Ability to set priorities and allocate resources equitably, using inclusive planning methods to effectively achieve responsibilities and objectives while accommodating diverse work styles and needs. Customer Service: Ability to serve others by listening actively and empathetically, responding effectively to diverse needs, and ensuring services are accessible, culturally responsive, and trauma‑informed. Integrity: Ability to adhere to organizational policies and procedures consistently and equitably, acting in a fair, transparent, and just manner while maintaining confidentiality and respecting individual dignity. Communication: Ability to express and receive ideas clearly and respectfully using inclusive, accessible, and culturally aware communication methods. Cultural Responsiveness: Ability to recognize, respect, and adapt to cultural differences, promote equity and inclusion in all aspects of care. #J-18808-Ljbffr