Development Associate

Why This Role Is Different

Flatbush Cats has grown from a grassroots rescue group into a citywide disruptor with an inspiring mission: to make veterinary care more affordable and accessible for pet owners.

In less than five years, we’ve grown from under $500K to more than $5M as we work to tackle the root causes of New York City’s overcrowded animal shelter crisis. That growth has been fueled by a clear philosophy: We focus on a few things and do them exceptionally well while building a community of supporters who believe in our vision.

But fundraising doesn’t run on good intentions alone. It runs on systems, details, follow-through, and trust.

As we enter a new phase of growth, the Development Associate will play a critical role in ensuring the infrastructure behind our donor relationships operates smoothly and accurately. This collaborative, detail-oriented role supports the development team by managing donor data, processing gifts, preparing reports and materials, and ensuring every interaction is timely and thoughtful.

You’ll work closely with a capable and growing team, with strong leadership support and a deeply committed board. This role is designed with realistic expectations, meaningful onboarding, and the space needed to succeed.

This role is ideal for someone who is:

• Deeply passionate about our mission
• Exceptionally organized and attentive to detail
• Dependable and accountable for their work
• Personable, professional, and comfortable working with people
• Calm and solution-oriented when challenges arise
• Curious and quick to learn new systems and tools
• Open to feedback and committed to continuous improvement

*** Please note: To be considered, applications must be submitted through the link provided. https://bit.ly/fbcdevelopmentassociate

Role Summary

The Development Associate provides operational, administrative, and technical support to the Development team. This position ensures the accuracy of donor records, the timely processing and acknowledgment of gifts, and the smooth execution of fundraising initiatives across major gifts, mid-level giving, recurring donors, and campaign efforts.

This role strengthens donor trust and team productivity through disciplined systems management, responsiveness, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

Donor Data & CRM Management

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date donor records in Salesforce
• Process gifts promptly and ensure proper coding, tracking, and acknowledgment
• Conduct routine data audits to ensure accuracy and consistency
• Generate donor reports, revenue summaries, and portfolio tracking dashboards.
• Support campaign tracking and reporting needs
• Demonstrate discretion and judgment when handling sensitive donor information
• Treat the donor experience as an essential part of delivering the mission

Gift Processing & Acknowledgment

• Serve as a primary point of contact for general donor inquiries via phone and email
• Respond promptly, professionally, and thoughtfully to donor questions regarding gifts, receipts, and general support
• Troubleshoot donation or payment issues with care and clarity
• Oversee timely and accurate gift entry and reconciliation
• Coordinate acknowledgment letters and tax receipts
• Ensure donors receive prompt, thoughtful confirmation of their contributions
• Ensure all donor interactions reflect organizational professionalism, warmth, and accuracy
• Escalate complex donor matters appropriately while taking ownership of resolution and follow-through
• Document donor communications accurately in the CRM to ensure continuity and institutional memory

Administrative & Operational Support

• Prepare donor briefings and background research for meetings
• Assist in scheduling donor meetings and coordinating follow-ups
• Support event logistics and campaign-related activities
• Pull segmented lists for targeted outreach
• Maintain organized digital filing systems and documentation

Prospect Research Support

• Conduct initial prospect research using publicly available information
• Assist in identifying new major and mid-level donor prospects
• Compile research summaries to inform cultivation strategy

Team Collaboration

• Serve as a reliable, responsive team member who anticipates needs and solves problems proactively
• Learn and master the tools and systems the team uses (CRM, email platforms, project management tools)
• Recommend process improvements when inefficiencies are identified
• Contribute to a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

Required

• 2+ years of administrative, development, operations, or database management experience
  • May come from internships, part-time roles, school projects, or volunteer experience.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable interacting professionally with donors and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to learn new software systems quickly and thoroughly
• Experience working with databases or CRM systems
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines consistently
• Strong sense of accountability and follow-through

Preferred

• Experience in a nonprofit fundraising environment
• Familiarity with donor database best practices and reporting
• Experience supporting fundraising events or campaigns
• Experience with Salesforce

We strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented and marginalized communities to apply.

Benefits

• Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance (employer covers 100% of health premiums and deductible)
• 401(k) matching
• 3 weeks PTO
• Flexible hybrid schedule
• Professional development assistance
• A collaborative, mission-driven team, plus unlimited cats

Note: Our application is run through Notion. If you run into issues, try Chrome or Firefox and check that pop-up blockers are turned off.

• Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance (employer covers 100% of health premiums and deductible)
• 401(k) matching
• 3 weeks PTO
• Flexible hybrid schedule
• Professional development assistance
• A collaborative, mission-driven team, plus unlimited cats