Development Assistant/Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Job title

Development Assistant/Associate

Reporting to

Senior Manager of Individual Giving

Department

Development

FLSA Status

Full-Time/Exempt

Location

Philadelphia, PA; in-person role based in the Center's Phila. Headquarters

About the National Constitution Center

Join America’s leading nonpartisan civic education organization. Each year, we reach millions of learners, convene thought leaders of diverse ideological perspectives, host the nation’s highest profile civic events, and inspire lifelong civic learning across generations. Now is a defining moment to join our team. As America enters its Civic Decade—a historic period beginning with the nation’s 250th anniversary and culminating in the 250th anniversaries of the Constitution in 2037 and the Bill of Rights in 2041—we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvest in our civic institutions, renew our civic culture, and inspire Americans of every age to better understand our constitutional heritage and embrace the responsibilities of citizenship. If you’re ready to help shape the next chapter of America’s civic story, we invite you to join us. 

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The National Constitution Center was established to serve as America’s constitutional home: a museum, civic stage, and national platform where people encounter the nation’s founding documents and ideals through scholarship, dialogue, and immersive learning experiences. Over time, the Center has intentionally expanded its reach nationwide, helping Americans engage with the Constitution and the foundations of democracy in meaningful and personal ways. 

Located in historic Philadelphia, the Center’s museum invites visitors from around the world to explore the ideas, debates, and principles that shape our constitutional democracy through dynamic exhibits and public programs. Through Town Hall discussions, convenings in communities across the country, and widely accessible podcasts, the Center provides trusted constitutional thought leadership while modeling rigorous, fair-minded, and civil dialogue across differing viewpoints. The Center is also home to leading interactive digital resources, including the Interactive Constitution  and the Interactive Declaration of Independence , and continues to expand its online courses for learners of all ages. Its K-12 programs and educational resources now reach more than 6 million students nationwide. 

In the years ahead, the Center seeks to foster lasting connections that help Americans begin to connect constitutional principles to their own lives, communities, and responsibilities as citizens. Through these efforts, the Center aims to broaden access to trusted constitutional resources, revive habits of thoughtful discussion across differences, and create new opportunities for Americans to experience the Constitution as a shared source of ideas, principles, and civic responsibilities.

Position Summary 

At a time of exciting growth and momentum, the National Constitution Center seeks a motivated, detail-oriented, and proactive Development Assistant/Associate to support the Center’s fundraising efforts and help strengthen relationships with its growing base of individual, foundation, and corporate donors and prospects.

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Individual Giving, the Development Assistant/Associate will play an important role in the day-to-day operations of the Development team, with key responsibilities spanning donor cultivation and stewardship, prospect research, donor communications, fundraising appeals, database management, and event coordination. The Assistant/Associate will work closely with development colleagues and senior leadership to support fundraising initiatives and ensure the effective management of donor relationships. 

This position offers an excellent opportunity for an early-career professional with 1-2 years of experience who is eager to develop their skills, take on increasing responsibility, and build a career in nonprofit fundraising. The successful candidate will gain exposure to a broad range of development activities, with opportunities to become increasingly involved in donor cultivation, stewardship, and fundraising strategy. As the individual develops in the role, there is potential to assume greater responsibilities across the team.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong organizational, writing, communication, and project management skills. We are looking for someone who takes initiative, exercises sound judgement, can manage multiple priorities with limited supervision, and is eager to learn, contribute ideas, and grow professionally. A strong commitment to the Center’s nonpartisan mission is essential.

Responsibilities and Duties

Donor Cultivation and Communication

• Conduct donor and prospect research using subscription databases to help the Development team identify opportunities and develop cultivation and stewardship strategies.

• Prepare donor and prospect background briefings and strategy memos for senior leadership in advance of key in-person or virtual meetings.

• Manage the donor acknowledgement process, including drafting formal acknowledgement letters to donors each week and coordinating personalized donor correspondence.

• Draft and assist with donor communications, including meeting requests, thank you notes, cultivation emails, and other stewardship materials.

• Coordinate quarterly fundraising appeals by mail and email, working with the Center’s database manager, Design and Communications teams, and third-party mail house on donor lists, materials, and execution.
• Maintain and update internal donor cultivation and stewardship pipelines, helping the team track engagement and identify appropriate next steps.
• Monitor and respond to donor inquiries received through the Development team’s voicemail and inbox, including processing gift payments over the phone and facilitating ticket requests.

• Support the execution of the Center’s monthly external newsletter to supporters, coordinating with the Communications team on distribution lists and identifying opportunities to strengthen donor engagement.
• Assist with the planning and execution of donor cultivation and stewardship events, including invitations, RSVP tracking, internal logistics, and on-site support for events at the Center, around the country, or virtually.
• Coordinate visits by high-level donors and prospects to the Center, including arranging tours and preparing itineraries.
• Manage library membership renewals, including quarterly renewal communications and invoice preparation.

Systems and Operations

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor and prospect records in the Center’s Salesforce database, including contact information, donor communications, grant and gift paperwork, and constituent coding.
• Review and help process incoming mail for gifts on a daily basis, scanning checks and sending daily department notifications.
• Support the effective use of the Center’s database and tracking systems to strengthen donor engagement, reporting, and relationship management.
• Help identify opportunities to improve administrative processes, data quality, and the effectiveness of development operations.
• Maintain inventory of supplies for development mailings and stewardship activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Please note that the Center may change specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least one year of relevant professional experience, preferably in nonprofit development, fundraising, donor relations, communications, or a related field.
• Strong interest in the Center’s nonpartisan mission and a desire to build a career in nonprofit development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft clear, polished, and professional external correspondence.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Demonstrated initiative, resourcefulness, and a willingness to take ownership of projects and responsibilities.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision while collaborating effectively with colleagues across departments.
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and a high level of discretion when handling confidential donor information and sensitive matters.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to providing excellent donor service.
• Comfortable working in databases and learning new systems; experience with Salesforce or a similar CRM platform is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with Adobe Photoshop or design software a plus.
• Intellectual curiosity, a willingness to learn, and an interest in taking on increasing responsibility over time.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working at a computer.
• Standing and walking may be required on an infrequent basis.
• Some light lifting, twenty (20) pounds or less, may be required on an infrequent basis.

The National Constitution Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage individuals who share our mission to apply.