Development Assistant, Development Department’s Philanthropy Unit

About NYLAG:

Founded in 1990, NYLAG is a leading civil legal services organization combating economic, racial, and social injustice by advocating for people experiencing poverty or in crisis. Our services include comprehensive, free civil legal services, financial empowerment, impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community partnerships. NYLAG exists because wealth should not determine who has access to justice. We aim to disrupt systemic racism by serving individuals and families whose legal and financial crises are often rooted in racial inequality. NYLAG goes to where the need is, providing services in more than 150 community sites (e.g. courts, hospitals, libraries) and on our Mobile Legal Help Center. NYLAG’s staff of 400 impacted the lives of nearly 130,000 people last year.

Job description

The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) has an immediate opening for a full-time Development Assistant. This position provides a unique opportunity for a highly organized individual with an interest in nonprofit development and fundraising. The Development Assistant will work closely with all members of the Development Department, the Marketing Department, the Pro Bono and Volunteer Department, and certain members of the Executive Team, and will play a key role in growing the organization’s individual and corporate giving programs. The Development Assistant will report to the Director of Philanthropic Partnerships in the Philanthropy Unit of the Development Department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain the Salesforce donor database by processing donations, producing donor acknowledgements, building contact lists, generating donor reports, and ensuring donor records are accurate and up to date.
• Liaise with the Finance Department to process incoming revenue, ensure regular reconciliation of gifts, and regularly track revenue against goals.
• Coordinate and assist with special events throughout the year, including but not limited to the organization’s Annual Gala in the Spring and the annual Pro Bono awards in the fall, by producing reports, managing event logistics, supporting sponsor solicitation and benefits fulfillment, invoicing and tracking payment status of pledged gifts, collaborating with the Communications Department on event communications, and liaising with vendors.
• Lead peer-to-peer fundraising initiatives, including the NYC Marathon, NYC Half Marathon, and Five Boro Bike Tour by preparing and submitting charity partner applications, executing paperwork, recruiting runners/cyclists, and supporting runner/cyclist fundraising efforts.
• Conduct research on current and prospective law firm donors, corporate donors, individual donors, and prospective honorees and track research and cultivation activities in Salesforce.
• Assist with the creation and distribution of print and electronic donor communication materials including but not limited to mailed appeal letters, e-blasts, donor impact reports and other stewardship touchpoints, solicitation packets, and the organization’s annual report.
• Support cross-departmental initiatives between the Philanthropy, Communications, and Pro Bono and Volunteer units by attending meetings, taking minutes, communicating scheduling and logistical details to team members, and supporting timely follow-up between meetings.
• Support the Board of Director’s Development Committee, Nominating Committee, and the Pro Bono Associate Advisory Committee by attending meetings, taking minutes, communicating scheduling and logistical details to Committee members, and supporting timely follow-up between meetings.
• Assist the Government & Foundations team with entering historical and present-day grants data into Salesforce.
• Provide administrative support to all members of the Philanthropy Unit and members of the leadership team as needed.
• Support other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or comparable work experience
• At least 1 year in nonprofit/business development experience in this or a related field, or internship equivalent
• Experience working with a donor database; Salesforce experience preferred
• Meticulous attention to detail and understanding of data hygiene best practices
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Passion for NYLAG’s mission to help low-income New Yorkers
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel
• Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize a diverse workload
• A self-starter with strong problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to work closely with the agency’s management team

NYLAG’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

NYLAG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, and those with lived experiences in the communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

Employment type:

☒ Full-time

Professional Level:

☒ Entry Level

Salary Range:

The current salary range for this position is between $52,571 and $58,817.

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401k, life insurance, long term disability, commuter benefits, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for Medical and Dependent care.

Application Instructions: Please save resume and cover letter on one pdf.

Covid Vaccination Policy: Please note, to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees and clients, NYLAG requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a medical or religious exemption is approved.

NYLAG is committed to a hybrid work policy for staff whose work does not require their full-time presence in the office. NYLAG’s current policy is that most staff are required to work in NYLAG’s offices or do other in-person work at least two days each week. This policy is subject to change.