At the Center for Biological Diversity, we believe that the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature ' to the existence in our world of a vast diversity of wild animals and plants. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that species need to survive.
We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.
The Center is currently looking for a full-time Development Associate. The preferred location for this position is Tucson, Ariz.
General position overview:
The Center seeks a mid-level development professional to join a dynamic, successful fundraising team while advancing the organization's mission. The Development Associate will primarily help support and grow the donor relations program while supporting the major gifts team by researching, identifying, cultivating, stewarding, soliciting, maintaining, renewing and growing our base of $1K+ Leadership Circle member prospects and donors, planned giving prospects and donors, managing the production of communications, fundraising appeals and events targeted to major donors and prospects, maintaining donor information in membership databases, processing and acknowledging major gifts, and extracting information from databases for donor communications and reporting. The Development Associate will report to the Donor Relations Director and work collaboratively with other development, senior leadership, conservation and communications staff.
Main duties:
- Cultivate and steward a portfolio of current and prospective major donors ($1K+) for annual gifts and campaigns.
- Conduct in-depth research on prospective and current major donors.
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date individual major donor records across multiple databases.
- Provide administrative support for the organization's planned giving program through record keeping and responsive communications.
- Provide project-management support for mailed and email fundraising campaigns and cultivation efforts.
- Format and send email fundraising communications to highly segmented donor groups
- Design and update donation pages for outgoing fundraising emails.
- Work with program staff to formulate informative and detailed responses to donor inquiries about the Center's work.
- Assist with planning, coordinating, and implementing major gift team's donor visits and special events.
- Coordinate gift entry for major gifts including ensuring the proper coding of gifts, notifying senior staff of daily transactions, recording donor preferences, and fulfilling appropriate record retention processes.
- Support the production and record retention of gift acknowledgements and tax receipts.
- Personally thank major donors via phone, email and handwritten notes.
- Provide technical support and project management support for quarterly Phone Briefings
- Provide support planning and implement donor-focused events on a quarterly- or semi-annual basis.
- Run queries and extract information from donor databases for mailings and data analysis.
- Provide administrative support for major gifts staff and development leadership.
- Participate in strategic planning for the donor relations program.
- Stay updated on current Center programs and actions, as necessary.
- Assist with other projects in donor relations, major gifts, membership and grants, as assigned.
Essential qualities and skills desired:
- An identity as a dynamic, growth-oriented self-starter.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience working with volunteers.
- Ability to retain high level of donor confidentiality.
- Experience with conducting in-depth donor research, including database work, is highly desirable.
- Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and accuracy in completing complex tasks.
- High motivation and a strong drive to move projects forward and follow through with staff.
- The ability to learn and complete tasks quickly.
- The ability to organize time well, manage diverse activities and personal interactions, and to prioritize and meet both short and longer term deadlines.
- A high energy level and excellent interpersonal skills. Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Strong project-management skills.
- Solid knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite, spreadsheets and mail merge functions.
- Experience with Microsoft Access or other fundraising databases preferred. Experience with Revolution Online (ROI) database and Microsoft GroupMail software a plus.
- Sense of humor and positive attitude a must.
- College degree (required).
- Desktop publishing skills.
- Excellent handwriting.
- Passion for, and knowledge of, the natural world, biodiversity and the Endangered Species Act.
Benefits Package:
- Paid generous medical, dental and vision plan.
- Paid STD and LTD.
- 403(b) plan with opportunity for match.
- Generous time off policies.
- Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code.
Application process:
Please apply by submitting a thoughtful cover letter and resume. The position will remain open until filled. No telephone calls, please. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.
We are an equal opportunity employer.
