Development Associate - Fundraising
About Rising Ground Founded as an orphanage in 1831, Rising Ground has been at the forefront of evolving community needs. Driven by the belief that each of us can thrive when life has hope and opportunity, Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 72,000 individuals annually. We do this through 101 programs across 138 sites, throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity is shown not just through our work with supported persons but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve. Rising Ground is headquartered in New York City. About the Role The Development Associate supports the fundraising, events, volunteer, and other activities of the Development Department. They work closely with the Development Manager and other department members in planning and executing fundraising appeals and events, ensuring the integrity of the organization’s donor database, fostering the organization’s relationship with its donors, providing clerical, recordkeeping and administrative assistance to the department’s efforts, and coordinating and assisting with other fundraising activities. As a part of a small team, they must be a champion for the organization, detail oriented, well-organized, have strong written and oral communications skills, be able to self-direct their work, have the capacity to manage multiple tasks, work well under pressure and deadlines, have a sense of humor and be a “go-getter.”
What You’ll Do
- Maintain Raiser’s Edge NXT donor database, ensuring that records are accurate and current, and that donations, actions, notes, and other media are entered in a timely fashion. Prepare reports, mailing lists and queries.
- Facilitate and execute logistics of special events including an annual gala, fall benefit and cultivation receptions (e.g., mailings, tracking of participants, ticket sales and donations, set up and delivery). Assist with identifying and interacting with venues and vendors.
- Prepare donor correspondence, including gift acknowledgement letters and other correspondence, and help coordinate direct mail appeals and other mailings.
- Assist with compiling collateral material for donors, prospects and other constituents.
- Process donations for deposit. Reconcile revenue with Finance Department and prepare monthly report of credit card receipts. Assist with processing invoices for payment.
- Perform routine administrative and bookkeeping tasks, including ordering department supplies, preparing invoices and tracking expenditures and covering receptionist desk one hour per week.
- Help compile background research of individual and corporate donor prospects.
- Coordinate four annual in-kind donation drives: essentials care, backpack, Thanksgiving food and holiday gift drives and other in-kind or fundraising campaigns.
- Assist with the administration of group volunteer efforts.
- Present information on Employee Giving to staff at various program sites
- Liaise with donors and program staff.
- Other duties as assigned.
Your Qualifications
- B.A. or equivalent degree required.
- Three years of fundraising or development experience preferred.
- Detail-oriented, pro-active individual with an enthusiastic “can-do”, attitude and the ability to work independently.
- Excellent writing, editing, verbal, and organizational skills.
- Experience in Raiser’s Edge or comparable fundraising management software strongly preferred.
- Fluent in Microsoft Office Suite including ability to manage mail merges.
- Commitment to, and passion for, the mission and values of Rising Ground.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, adhere to deadlines, and work well both independently and as part of a team.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Supervisory Responsibility: No
Work Environment: Corporate Office
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday in our Headquarters at 1333 Broadway office in Midtown Manhattan. Work hours options are 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, 9:30 am - 5:30 pm, 10 am - 6 pm. Night and weekends as needed for events.
Additional Requirements:
- Authorized to work in the U.S.
- Ability to work in-person in New York City (NY) for at least 3 days or more per week.
- Ability to travel to other Rising Ground sites (if required)
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement It is the policy of Rising Ground that the Agency wholly complies with equal treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to an individual’s perceived or actual race, creed, color, national origin, alienate, citizenship status, gender, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or veteran status in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.
Monday -Friday; 9am-5pm. Evenings and weekends as needed for events.