Development Officer

About Us

Founded in 1982, ELEM/Youth in Distress in Israel is the country’s leading nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying, addressing, and transforming the lives of at-risk and vulnerable youth.

Each year, ELEM serves more than 13,000 young people, both face-to-face and online, who are coping with complex challenges including domestic violence, substance abuse, neglect, bullying, homelessness, and exploitation.

ELEM works with youth from all sectors of Israeli society, including secular and religious Jews, Christian and Muslim Arabs, immigrants from the Former Soviet Union and Ethiopia, and LGBTQ youth. Many of the young people ELEM serves live on the margins and do not seek help from traditional social service systems. ELEM’s model is proactive and outreach-based, meeting youth where they are—on the streets, in schools, online, and in community spaces.

American Friends of ELEM is the U.S.-based partner organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness to sustain and expand ELEM’s life-saving programs in Israel.

Position Overview

American Friends of ELEM is seeking a motivated, relationship-driven Development Officer to support and grow our fundraising efforts across Massachusetts and a select group of additional states, including Maryland, Ohio, and Illinois.

The Development Officer will manage donor relationships within this regional portfolio, cultivate new supporters, and help expand ELEM’s presence in both established and emerging markets. Working closely with the CEO and development team, this individual will play a key role in strengthening donor engagement, supporting events, and advancing fundraising strategies aligned with organizational goals.

This role is ideal for someone who is comfortable managing a multi-state portfolio, enjoys building relationships across communities, and is excited to help grow a mission-driven organization.

Key Responsibilities

Donor Development & Fundraising

• • Manage and grow a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation donors across Massachusetts and assigned additional states.
  • Identify, cultivate, and steward new and existing donors through personalized outreach, meetings, and events.
  • Conduct in-person and virtual donor meetings to build relationships and advance philanthropic support.
  • Support fundraising events, donor briefings, and cultivation opportunities within the assigned region.
  • Assist in identifying and nurturing prospective board members, committee members, and chapter or advisory participants.

Strategy & Planning

• • Partner with the CEO to support and implement regional fundraising strategies and campaigns.
  • Contribute to planning efforts for expanding ELEM’s footprint in both established and emerging markets.
  • Support outreach strategies aligned with annual revenue and engagement goals.

Collaboration & Representation

• • Work closely with communications, grants, and operations teams to support donor proposals, materials, and reports.
  • Represent American Friends of ELEM at events, meetings, and community gatherings across the region.
  • Communicate ELEM’s mission, programs, and impact clearly and compellingly to diverse audiences.

Donor Stewardship & Reporting

• • Maintain accurate and timely donor records and interaction notes using DonorPerfect.
  • Ensure prompt acknowledgments and appropriate follow-up with donors.
  • Support reporting, forecasting, and tracking of progress toward fundraising goals.
  • Steward long-term donor relationships to encourage sustained engagement and giving.

Prospect Development

• • Identify and qualify new donors within assigned states for inclusion in ELEM’s donor pipeline.
  • Collaborate with the CEO, board members, and volunteers to engage community leaders and supporters in fundraising efforts.

Qualifications

• • 2–4 years of experience in development, fundraising, or a related field, with demonstrated success meeting goals.
  • Strong relationship-building skills and a donor-centered approach.
  • Experience managing donor databases and maintaining accurate records.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Highly organized, proactive, and comfortable managing a multi-state portfolio.
  • Based in Massachusetts, with the ability to travel regionally and occasionally nationally as needed.
  • Passion for Israel and alignment with ELEM’s mission and values.

Compensation

• • Salary range: Part-time position (20 hours per week) with compensation up to $40,000 annually

Why Join American Friends of ELEM?

This is an opportunity to join a growing organization at a pivotal moment. As a Development Officer, you will play a meaningful role in expanding ELEM’s reach across multiple regions, strengthening donor relationships, and helping transform the lives of at-risk youth in Israel.

Part-Time employees do not receive benefits

Fluent in English