Development Associate

JOB TITLE: Development Associate

JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Non-exempt Salaried

REPORTS TO: Director of Individual Engagement

WHO WE ARE: 

Row New York is a unique sports-based non-profit organization founded on the premise that the discipline and teamwork that rowing instills, when combined with rigorous academic support, has the power to change lives. We have two main programs: Our Youth Program serves over 250 middle and high school student-athletes from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. It is a high dosage, year-round rowing and academic program with a goal of ensuring that 100% of our young people graduate high school and matriculate to college. In addition, we offer rowing to New Yorkers of all ages who are either people with physical or cognitive disabilities, military veterans, or local community members. Lastly, Row New York offers a fee-for-service rowing program for New York City independent high schools and summer camps. Our programs are offered at two program sites: Upper Manhattan and Flushing Meadows Corona Park, with an additional rowing site in Canarsie, Brooklyn. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Development Associate is crucial to the success of Row New York’s current programs and operations, and to the actualization of our ambitious capital campaign goals to build a new state of the art community boathouse and learning center and expand our reach. This role will report to the Director of Individual Engagement, and work in close collaboration with the Development and Special Events Manager to assist with planning and executing events.

The ideal candidate is a mission-driven development professional with strong writing, database management, and prospect research skills, who thrives in a team-oriented environment and is energized by sharing the impact of Row New York’s programs with donors and external partners.   

The Responsibilities and Duties of the Development Associate include:  

• Support Row New York’s individual giving strategy by leading the organization’s prospect research efforts, developing impactful appeals in support of the Row New York annual fundraising efforts from our individual donors, manage and monitor online giving initiatives, and work collaboratively with other program areas to advance fundraising goals;  
• Assist the Executive Director, Chief Development and Communications Officer, and Director of Individual Engagement to implement fundraising strategy related to individual giving;  
• In collaboration with the Development and Special Events Manager, coordinate and execute events logistics to ensure an exceptional donor experience;
• Support new funder prospecting, including: research, analysis of fit, and appeal/proposal writing;  
• Assist the Director of Individual Engagement to provide support for the Board’s fundraising initiatives;  
• Work with communications staff to develop strategies for donor engagement in all communications and marketing; 
• Maintain timely, accurate and complete records of donor communications; prepare regular reports on all campaign activities;  
• Support Director of Individual Engagement in development reporting;  
• Assist with other donor relations functions including donor acknowledgments;
• Assume other tasks and responsibilities as needed. 

Qualifications:  

• Bachelor's Degree; at least 2 years of fundraising/development experience, preferred;  
• Familiarity with fundraising databases, preferably Salesforce;
• Proven communications skills, including experience in writing direct mail appeals, digital fundraising appeals, and correspondence with donors;  
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail and accuracy; commitment to delivering excellent work;
• Outgoing personality and ability to initiate and enjoy direct communication with donors and potential donors; 
• Customer-service orientation;  
• Highly motivated and proactive; ability to take initiative and work independently;  
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, project coordination experience, and the ability to work well with all levels of internal management and staff, as well as outside stakeholders and vendors;   
• Ability to handle diverse simultaneous tasks, meet deadlines, and follow through; 
• Commitment to building and/or deepening knowledge of racial equity work and the role racial inequity plays in society;
• Experience with and knowledge of the New York City philanthropic community a plus;  
• Some evenings and weekends are required.