Special Projects Associate

Charitable nonprofits improve our lives, add vitality to our communities, contribute to our local and national economies, and enhance the health of our democracy. The National Council of Nonprofits (NCN) is the largest network of nonprofits in North America. We connect, champion, and inform organizations across the country to score big wins for nonprofits and the communities they serve. Working with our core network and other collaborative partners, we get things done. We are seeking a dynamic, creative, and detail-oriented Special Projects Associate to join our collective efforts to create a connected and powerful nonprofit community that has what it needs to champion the public good.

The Special Projects Associate works with the senior vice president and colleagues throughout the organization to implement and manage special projects that allow NCN to best meet its mission.

The Special Projects Associate will promote innovation and the objectives of the National Council of Nonprofits through a combination of research and data analysis, advocacy, network support, and communications activities.

We Are:

• The trusted go-to experts for and about nonprofits, providing practical information that nonprofits use to operate more effectively, efficiently, and ethically, bringing attention to issues affecting the work of nonprofits, and illuminating how they contribute to a strong culture and a healthy civil society.
• A robust network that connects and strengthens nonprofits across the country so they can identify shared challenges, develop winning strategies, and amplify their voices to produce solutions that improve lives and enrich communities.
• A powerful advocate at the federal, state, and local levels, delivering policy analysis and effective strategies to strengthen nonprofits, protect their missions, and advance their advocacy efforts.
• Driven by our core values, including centering equity in all our work.
• Growing our team and looking for someone like you to join us.

You Are:

• Passionate about the work of nonprofits and those they serve.
• An exceptional communicator
• A network builder and galvanizer
• A highly organized team member
• A proven and respected leader who takes initiative.

Essential Details:

• Compensation: Salary range of $68,000 - $85,000, plus the generous benefits described below.
• Term: This is a salaried, exempt position with an intended duration of two years.
• Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
• Reports to: Senior Vice President of Special Projects

Location: Hybrid or remote. Our office is in Washington, D.C. Both local and remote candidates will be considered. For candidates located in Washington, D.C., the position requires being in the office two days per week, with the option to work hybrid the rest of the time.

What You’ll Do:

• Serve as a vital member of the special projects team and work collaboratively with the SVP to implement the goals and activities of the team.
• Implement a new system at NCN to track, map, and make publicly available all nonprofit-related federal funding that’s been frozen or eliminated, in real time, and the impact these cuts are having in communities. Analyze and share this harmful impact data.
• Work closely with the SVP to facilitate nonprofit peer learning opportunities and to regularly create and update information – including fact sheets, toolkits, guidance, trainings, webinars – to assist NCN’s network and the broader nonprofit sector in successfully meeting this moment of tremendous threat and opportunity.
• With the SVP, design and implement methods for engaging additional national organization partners in our work.
• Work with the Knowledge, Impact, and Strategy team to connect new NCN national partners with state networks to NCN’s state networks, to coalesce and broaden the field, and better connect the nonprofit sector to advocacy.
• Research and draft policy briefs, reports, memos, one-pagers, and other policy-related documents as needed.
• Represent NCN at internal and external events.
• Support and implement other special projects and duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need:

We recognize that an individual's lived experience is a valued skillset, and that people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. When reviewing applications, we take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. That said, we are most likely to be interested in applicants who can demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree, preferably in policy, communications, or a related field. A Master’s degree in relevant field is a plus.
• At least two to five years of relevant experience. Experience working with nonprofit organizations is a plus.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, especially writing and listening, with great attention to detail.
• Strong project management, research, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated facilitation skills and experience presenting on webinars, joint calls, briefings, or conferences.
• Experience with building and maintaining coalitions.
• Deep and steadfast commitment to earning, maintaining, and building trust with people within and outside the organization.
• Commitment to equity as a personal and professional value.
• An enthusiastic team player who enjoys being part of a collaborative, collegial environment of dedicated and talented staff committed to shared success.
• Energetic, dependable, and exemplary.
• Highly organized with excellent time management skills and the ability to excel at multi-tasking and meeting deadlines while juggling multiple projects.
• Creative problem-solver with a steadfast work ethic, sense of purpose, and sense of humor.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work at a computer station for extended periods of time.
• Ability to travel occasionally.

What Else You Should Know:

We are driven by our values. These core values guide our actions as we unite and strengthen nonprofits across the country to improve lives and enrich communities: serving others by listening and leading; getting things done, together; earning trust in everything we do; centering equity in all our work; and honoring the nonprofit workforce.

We value our people. In honoring the nonprofit workforce, the National Council of Nonprofits believes in a healthy workplace and offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. For this position, the salary range is $68,000 - $95,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include health, dental, vision, wellness, life, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurance; participation in 401k retirement plan with employer match; flexible spending accounts; paid annual and sick leave; monthly stipends for transportation and communications; and generous holiday schedule, as well as opportunities for professional development.

The National Council of Nonprofits is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both though our work and within our workforce. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving longstanding social and economic problems, and we aim to diversify the voices of our staff to best reflect the people and communities that nonprofits serve.

The National Council of Nonprofits is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, people of color, Indigenous people, LGBTQ individuals, veterans, people experiencing disabilities, and members of other minority or marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Learn more about the National Council of Nonprofits at www.councilofnonprofits.org.