Development Associate

About Groundwork RVA

Groundwork RVA is a Richmond-based youth development and environmental justice nonprofit whose

mission is to cultivate the next generation of urban conservationists in Richmond, Virginia.

We work alongside young people and community members to transform Richmond’s natural and built

environment through community-supported and community-led initiatives at the intersection of environment,

equity, and civic engagement. Through youth development, environmental education, workforce development,

urban agriculture, community greening, and neighborhood-based programs, we create hands-on opportunities

for young people and residents to build skills and leadership while helping shape a greener, healthier, and more

resilient Richmond.

Our work centers youth voice and emphasizes the needs and priorities of historically disenfranchised

communities. Through meaningful community engagement and cross-sector collaboration, we work to address

environmental inequities while creating opportunities for young people to play an active role in the future of

their neighborhoods and city.

We are in an exciting period of organizational growth, with expanding programs, a growing portfolio of public

and private funding, and an active capital campaign to invest in the facilities, equipment, and infrastructure

needed for our next chapter.

Interested candidates are encouraged to learn more about our work at groundworkrva.org. Please review the full

job description and follow the application instructions below.

Position Summary

Groundwork RVA is seeking a highly organized, collaborative, and detail-oriented Development

Associate to join our growing Development & Communications team.

Reporting to the Director of Development & Communications, the Development Associate will play a

key role in grant development and management, donor and prospect research, development

operations, database management, and donor stewardship. The Associate will also provide support for

our active capital campaign as needed.

This position is a strong fit for someone who enjoys both writing and systems: someone who can draft a

compelling grant application while also making sure deadlines, donor information, follow-ups, reports,

and supporting materials are organized and accurate.

The Development Associate will manage assigned workstreams independently while working closely

with the Director of Development & Communications and collaborating with our Executive Director,

Finance Director, program staff, and other members of our team.

Key Responsibilities

Grants & Institutional Giving (50%)

• Manage our grants calendar, including application, reporting, renewal, and other funder

deadlines.

• Research foundation, corporate, government, and other institutional funding opportunities

and make recommendations based on fit with our priorities and needs.

• Draft grant applications, letters of inquiry, reports, and other funder communications, with

strategic direction and final review from the Director of Development & Communications.

• Manage routine grant application and reporting processes, including completing online

applications, gathering required attachments and organizational documents, and

coordinating submissions.

• Work with program and finance staff to gather program data, outcomes, budgets, financial

information, and other materials needed for proposals and reports.

• Maintain accurate grant records, including applications, awards, reporting requirements,

funder communications, and grant history.

• Support preparation for funder meetings, site visits, and stewardship activities.

Development Operations & Donor Management (20%)

• Help manage the day-to-day operations of our fundraising program, including systems for

tracking donors, prospects, gifts, pledges, and fundraising activity.

• Maintain accurate and complete records in our CRM and coordinate with Finance to support

accurate gift reconciliation.

• Conduct research on individual, foundation, and corporate prospects and prepare profiles,

briefing materials, and background research as needed.

• Prepare donor acknowledgments and maintain systems to support timely and meaningful

stewardship and follow-up.

• Support donor segmentation, mailing lists, annual appeals, digital fundraising campaigns,

workplace giving, matching gifts, sponsorships, and other fundraising initiatives.

• Maintain development and stewardship calendars and help ensure donor and funder follow

up happens consistently.

• Produce reports on grants, fundraising activity, donor engagement, pipeline activity, and

other development metrics.

Donor Engagement & Fundraising Support (15%)

• Support donor cultivation and stewardship activities led by the Director of Development &

Communications and Executive Director.

• Coordinate routine donor communications, impact updates, and stewardship touchpoints.

• Support donor and funder site tours, meetings, and events, including invitations,

registration, materials, attendance tracking, and follow-up.

• Represent Groundwork RVA at occasional community and partner events, including staffing

informational tables and engaging with community members and potential supporters.

• Support Development Committee and other fundraising-related meetings through research,

reports, materials, and follow-up.

• Assist with other fundraising campaigns and special initiatives as needed.

Collaboration & Development Systems (10%)

• Help create and maintain effective development systems, templates, files, procedures, and

shared resources.

• Work across departments to gather accurate program information, outcomes, financial

information, stories, and other materials needed for fundraising and reporting.

• Coordinate with our communications team to identify stories, photos, program outcomes,

and other content that can support donor and funder engagement.

• Participate in staff meetings, organizational events, site tours, and other activities as

appropriate.

• Perform other development-related duties as assigned.

Capital Campaign Support (5%)

The Director of Development & Communications leads our capital campaign, with the Development

Associate providing support as needed.

• Assist with campaign-related prospect and funder research, meeting preparation, materials,

recordkeeping, and other development needs.

• Support campaign meetings, cultivation activities, pledge documentation, and follow-up as

needed.

What We’re Looking For

The strongest candidate will be a thoughtful communicator, excellent organizer, and proactive

problem-solver who is comfortable managing multiple deadlines and workstreams at once. We are

looking for someone who can take ownership of their responsibilities, anticipate next steps, and move

work forward consistently.

Qualifications include:

• Approximately 3–5 years of relevant experience preferred in nonprofit development, grant

writing, fundraising, nonprofit administration, or related field.

• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively to

different audiences.

• Experience with grant writing, grant administration, donor relations, fundraising operations,

or related work.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and competing priorities

independently.

• Experience working with a CRM or donor database preferred.

• Strong research skills and the ability to synthesize information into useful recommendations

and materials.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Comfort working with budgets, spreadsheets, fundraising data, and basic financial

information.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.

• Sound judgment when handling confidential donor, financial, personnel, and organizational

information.

• Ability to take initiative, anticipate needs, and move projects forward.

• An understanding of, or genuine interest in learning more about, environmental justice,

racial equity, climate resilience, youth development, and community-centered approaches

to creating healthier and more equitable neighborhoods.

• Commitment to our mission and to working collaboratively with young people, community

members, colleagues, and partners from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

A specific degree is not required. We value relevant professional experience, transferable skills, and

demonstrated ability to succeed in the responsibilities of the position. If you do not have all of the

above qualifications, please apply, as we value lived and transferable experience.

What Success Looks Like

Within the first year, the Development Associate will help us build a stronger and more sustainable

development operation. Grant opportunities, submissions, and reports will be consistently tracked and

completed on time; donor and prospect records will be accurate and useful; stewardship and follow

up will happen consistently; and our fundraising leadership will have reliable information and systems

to support decision-making and relationship-building.

This new role will increase the capacity of our Development & Communications team at a pivotal

moment of organizational growth, allowing the Director of Development & Communications and

Executive Director to devote greater time to strategy, donor and funder relationships, major fundraising

opportunities, and our long-term growth.

Compensation

This is a full-time, exempt position, starting at $50,000 annually DOE, with 4 weeks personal leave, 75% paid

medical, dental, and vision as well as access to retirement savings plan with employer match.

How to Apply

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter explaining why you are interested in working with Groundwork RVA

and why you believe you are a strong fit for this role, along with your resume. Please combine your cover

letter and resume into one PDF and email it to info@groundworkrva.org with the subject line

“Development Associate Application.” Applications will be accepted through Friday, October 2nd.

Groundwork RVA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to maintaining and growing a diverse team,

and an anti-racist organization committed to doing business in keeping with core values of relevance, equity,

diversity, and inclusion.

4 weeks personal leave, 75% paid medical, dental, and vision. 100% paid basic life insurance and disability insurance as well as access to retirement savings plan with employer match.