Development Specialist

Development Specialist

The Development Specialist provides critical support to the Development team. Reporting to the Director of Development & Engagement and working closely with the Chief Development Officer, this position plays a key role in donor and stakeholder engagement through the management of donor and stakeholder tracking, data, and communications. Additionally, this position will provide support to special events in fundraising and engagement including our annual gala, fundraising campaigns, school site visits, and other special initiatives. This role is responsible for providing administrative support to the Development Department and supporting donor and stakeholder relations. This position will assist with Board of Director Subcommittee activities and partner with affiliates, affiliate administrators and the Finance Department to support organizational development and engagement strategies. Success in this role requires initiative, strong organizational skills, and the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.

Development Data Management, Tracking and Communications

• Manage data entry and donor records, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and consistency for inputting data into shared donor software and accounting systems.
• Responsible for inputting gifts for CIS State Office (both monetary and in-kind) into Customer Resource Management Software (CRM).
• Produce and distribute tax acknowledgment and thank-you letters notices in a timely manner to support donor relations and compliance for the CIS of Nevada State Office
• Responsible for ensuring all tax acknowledgement and thank-you letters are recorded and stored in Customer Resource Management Software (CRM).
• Liaise with Communities In Schools of Nevadas four (4) affiliate representatives on affiliate record keeping, gift entry (monetary and in-kind), thank you and acknowledgement letters.
• Assist the Finance Department with all gift reconciliation and audit requests including gifts through third-party platforms.
• Design and produce accurate queries, exports, reports, and lists for mailings, newsletters and event invitations.
• Assist with generating donor pledges and invoices for specific events and campaigns, as needed.

Special Events:

• Support special events including fundraising, program and awareness events, including pre and post event data imports, project management, and attendance tracking.
• Support fundraising which include attendance and setup for site visits, community events and special initiative events led by the CIS of Nevada State Office.
• Record and track event data and constituent event information, including event goals, in-kind resource donations, event registration and results.
• Assist with tracking costs of events, programs and campaigns.

Other:

• Serve as primary administrative support for Chief Development Officer
• Manage Development Department project calendar, tracking deadlines and ensure efficiency across the team.
• Provide departmental administrative support, that may include documenting donor notes, assisting with event administrative support and other sensitive/confidential information.

Qualifications and Competencies

Qualifications include:

• 1-3 years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience; Associate degree preferred.
• 1-3 years of applicable database and CRM experience; hands-on experience with NetSuite and OneCause products or similar donor databases preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of fundraising, charitable giving and donor relations principles preferred.
• Exceptional organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and internal customer relations skills.
• Proficiency in utilizing Microsoft Office365, especially Excel.
• High level of discretion, professionalism, and confidentiality required. Must be detail oriented with a critical degree of accuracy regarding data entry and maintenance.
• Demonstrated ability to work pro-actively both as a team member and independently with minimal supervision within a time-sensitive, participatory environment.
• This position requires extensive computer-based work, including donor database management, data entry, reporting, spreadsheet maintenance, and financial recordkeeping. Candidates should be proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook, and able to learn and navigate CRM and financial systems such as NetSuite. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, cross-departmental collaboration, and the ability to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and streamline workflows are essential.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• • Work environment is indoors and climate controlled. May be exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
  • Moderate noise levels as found in a business office and classroom setting.
  • Use of own automobile.
  • Must be able to pass a criminal background check, possible fingerprinting, and drug screen.

*Hybrid position.