Development Associate

ExpandED is dedicated to ensuring that all young people have access to enriching learning opportunities that affirm their identities, teach them valuable skills, and spark new possibilities. Through program development, capacity-building, research and advocacy, we work toward our vision of a vibrant and stable publicly-funded system of school-community partnership so that all New York City children thrive.

Established in 1998, the organization today works with more than 119,000 children and 900 programs throughout New York City to ensure that students in under-served communities have access to innovative, engaging ways of learning to enable them to reach their full potential. Over the last two decades, ExpandED Schools’ program, research and policy efforts have led to increased recognition of the academic, social, and emotional benefits of enrichment, tutoring, and career-connected learning, increased funding, and new models for school-community partnership.

Purpose of Position

The Associate, Development is a vital member of the Development & Communications Department, supporting ExpandED Schools’ fundraising efforts with a primary focus on grants. This role partners closely with the Senior Director of Institutional Giving (SDIG) on donor research, proposal and report preparation, and grants management, while also contributing to broader development team functions including database management, Board engagement and relations, individual and corporate prospect research and giving, and event support.

Duties & Responsibilities

Grant Support (Primary Focus)

• Partner with the Senior Director of Institutional Giving on prospect research to identify new foundation and corporate funding opportunities aligned with organizational priorities.
• Assist in drafting, editing, and formatting grant proposals, letters of inquiry, funder reports, and acknowledgement letters, ensuring materials meet the highest standards of clarity and presentation.
• Assemble and maintain proposal supplemental materials, including organizational budgets, financial statements, board lists, IRS determination letters, and other required attachments.
• Gather programmatic data, outcomes, and stories from program staff to strengthen proposals and report narratives.
• Track grant deadlines, reporting requirements, and submission logistics to ensure timely, accurate delivery of all grant materials.
• Aid in monitoring post-award grant compliance, including report deadlines, and funder-specific conditions, flagging issues to the SDIG as needed.
• Assist with scheduling and logistics for funder site visits, calls, and meetings.
• Maintain accurate funder correspondence and grants records within Raiser’s Edge and Airtable.
• Maintain an organized grants calendar and proposal/report archive in Google Drive/SharePoint.

Individual Giving & Events Support

• Assist with the planning and execution of annual appeals and year-end giving campaigns, including drafting and coordinating direct mail and email appeals.
• Support cultivation and stewardship of individual donors, including drafting personalized correspondence and helping coordinate touchpoints between donors and development leadership.
• Conduct donor and prospect research, including helping to implement a systematic individual donor research program for the department to identify new prospects.
• Prepare mailing lists, event invitation lists, donor profiles, and fundraising reports and analyses for strategic planning and future fundraising activities.
• Assist with event logistics, including preparing printed materials, tracking donations, and coordinating with vendors.
• Support gift entry tasks, including cleanup, issuing acknowledgments, and maintaining accurate donor records.
• Help plan and support donor cultivation and stewardship events throughout the year.

Development Team & Leadership Support

• Prepare briefing materials for the SDIG, CEO, CFO, and VP of Development & Communications ahead of funder calls and meetings.
• Support the CEO in preparing materials for Board meetings.
• Support Amex reconciliation and other administrative priorities for the development team.

Qualifications and Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience and 1-2 years of fundraising experience at a nonprofit or campaign.
• Prior grant writing experience, with a demonstrated track record of researching, drafting, and submitting successful grant proposals and reports to foundation and corporate funders.
• Familiarity with Raiser’s Edge or equivalent fundraising database.
• Strong proficiency in MSOffice Suite, including Excel, Word, and comfort designing PowerPoint presentations.
• Excellent social skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and comfort with complexity and change.
• Strong attention to detail and high standards for the presentation of written material, particularly grant proposals and funder communications.
• Ability to thrive in a deadline-driven environment with humor and flexibility.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, collaborate with colleagues across multiple departments, prioritize competing tasks, and follow through on assignments.
• Deep commitment to ExpandED Schools’ vision of an equitable public education system that prepares young people for long-term success in the 21st century economy; knowledge of K-12 public education and funding a plus.
• Strong cultural competence with respect for and knowledge of the cultures we work with and the communities we serve.
• Ability to travel by public transportation within all NYC boroughs

Our organization follows a hybrid work structure where employees can work remotely or from the office, as needed. All staff must spend 5 days in the office per month as determined by their team schedule. Additionally, leaders of teams may call team members together for in-person meetings in the office when they reasonably believe that the work will be more productive and/or efficient if completed through in-person collaboration, and all full-time employees are expected to attend monthly all-staff meetings at the office. Finally, this position requires regular use of public transportation and some work in school buildings that may require climbing stairs.