Development Manager

Washington Youth Alliance / Action Fund / Future Fund - Development Manager

Apply by January 14, 2026

Pay: This position has a salary of $65,000 and is classified as non-exempt. This salary is anticipated to increase as our org budget does. We offer unlimited PTO, with a required minimum of three weeks taken per year. We do not offer any more benefits at this time. We anticipate adding other benefits such as health insurance and retirement by mid-2026. Please note the salary is not negotiable.

Start Date: This is a full time position. We anticipate a start date of February 2nd.

Location Requirements and Preferences: This role is required to reside in Washington State. Washington Youth Alliance is proud to call ourselves a truly statewide organization, and as such prioritizes hiring individuals who are rooted in community and can bring their experiences to our youth-led organization. We are prioritizing applications from the following geographies, although all are welcome to apply: Central Washington, North Central Washington, and the Olympic Peninsula.

Washington Youth Alliance Overview:

We are Washington’s only truly youth-led 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and State PAC that builds authentic statewide youth power by transforming young people's stories and lived experiences into action, creating youth-led chapters that educate, advocate, and organize for mental health support, gun violence prevention, access to a healthier democracy, and other systemic changes young people need.

We envision a world where Washington is designed to serve the needs of and address problems specific to young people, and where young people are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to shape systems so it continues to address issues that impact young people.

What do we define as youth-led?

We define youth-led as having young people ages 13-24, but particularly those not in College, at the center of everything we are doing and hope to do. Our boards are 85% under the age of 24 with 33.3% being under the age of 18 and from local chapters.

Position Overview:

The Development Manager executes Washington Youth Alliance’s individual giving program, overseeing digital fundraising campaigns (email and SMS), donor stewardship, and day-to-day individual giving operations. This role is responsible for implementing an established fundraising strategy with a focus on donor retention, monthly giving growth, and supporting a strong major gift pipeline.

With both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) designations, WYA is positioned for significant growth in individual and institutional giving. This is WYA’s first full-time development hire, designed to formalize individual giving systems and establish a sustainable fundraising foundation. The Development Manager will play a key role in strengthening fundraising systems, deepening donor relationships, and supporting long-term financial sustainability.

Role Structure:

The Development Manager will work closely with the Executive Director and is responsible for executing WYA’s individual giving strategy. This role owns the day-to-day management of donor communications, stewardship systems, and fundraising campaigns, while collaborating with the Executive Director on priorities, messaging direction, and major donor engagement.

This is a hands-on role best suited for someone who enjoys building strong systems, managing details, and translating strategy into consistent action.

Position Responsibilities:

Donor Stewardship & Retention

• Implement and manage donor stewardship efforts, including but not limited to welcome and onboarding journeys, acknowledgment and thank-you processes, impact reporting, monthly donor communications, issue based giving campaigns, and lapsed donor reactivation campaigns.

Data Management and Reporting

• Maintain accurate donor records in EveryAction, track campaign performance and donor trends, and generate regular reports to support decision-making and fundraising strategy.
• Support program staff in recognizing and managing trends in data related to grant deliverables, ensuring we are on track to meet key metrics and goals.

Digital Fundraising

• Manage and implement digital fundraising campaigns (email and SMS) across WYA’s c3 and c4 entities, including audience segmentation, campaign scheduling, performance tracking within EveryAction, and campaigns focused on donor acquisition and first-gift conversion.

Monthly Giving Program Management

• Manage and grow WYA’s monthly giving program, increasing participation through targeted conversion campaigns and differentiated stewardship strategies.

Major Gift Pipeline Support

• Coordinate major gift efforts with the Executive Director by maintaining moves management tracking, preparing donor briefing materials, and coordinating cultivation and stewardship activities.

Please note that this is meant to be a sample of position responsibilities and is not fully encompassing. Washington Youth Alliance reserves the right to modify these responsibilities at any time.

What Success Looks Like

In the first year, success in this role will include:

• Consistent, timely donor communications and stewardship processes that strengthen trust and retention
• A growing and well-managed monthly giving program
• Clean, reliable donor data and reporting that supports fundraising decisions
• Digital fundraising campaigns that resonate with supporters and are aligned with WYA’s values
• Strong coordination with the Executive Director and a clear, sustainable fundraising rhythm

Position Requirements: No specific degree is required. In general, candidates will:

1. Have at least 2 years of nonprofit fundraising experience
2. Have managed digital fundraising campaigns (email/SMS) with demonstrated results
3. Have experience with donor database management (EveryAction preferred)
4. Understand donor stewardship and retention best practices
5. Have strong written communication skills for donor-facing content

Preference will be given to candidates who:

• Are passionate about youth-led movements and WYA's mission areas
• Have worked in small nonprofit or startup environments

Note: We encourage people that don't think they meet all the requirements to still apply - we value lived experience, passion for youth organizing, and commitment to our mission as much as formal qualifications.

Application Stages and Process:

Stage 1: Initial Application Due Date — Wednesday, January 14th, 5pm PST.

Submit your resume, cover letter, and other information.

• 1–2 page resume
• On one document, please share 2–3 short paragraphs via the form of a cover letter:

• Why do you want this role?

• Why are you passionate about fundraising for our movement?

• Optional: Is there anything else that you want to share with readers?

• Demographic information

Applicant Status Update — Thursday, January 15th, 5pm PST

Stage 2: Interview

Wednesday, January 21 & Thursday, January 22.

Applicant Status Update — Friday, January 23, 5pm PST

Stage 3: Performance Tasks and Reference Submissions

Performance Tasks Due — Tuesday, January 27, 5pm PST

• Please hold two hours in advance to complete this task in case you make it to stage three.
• We will provide a $150 stipend for time spent on the performance tasks.
• Contact Information Due For Two References on Monday, January 26.

Final Decisions Released — Wednesday, January 28, 5pm PST

→ Start Monday, February 2.