Development Associate

Job Title: Development Associate

Department: Development

Reports To: Director, Membership and Operations

Who We Are:

The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is the leading organization in the U.S. working to end the drug war, repair its harms, and build a non-punitive, equitable, and regulated drug market. We envision a world that embraces the full humanity of people, regardless of their relationship to drugs. We advocate that the regulation of drugs be grounded in evidence, health, equity, and human rights. In collaboration with other movements and at every policy level, we change laws, advance justice, and save lives.

DPA has 40 staff across the U.S. an annual operating budget of approximately $12 million, and 200,000 members, activists, and supporters. The organization has a solid track record of success at the local, state, and federal levels and consistent visibility in prominent media and policy circles.

Recognizing the broad reach of the drug war, DPA works across issue areas to engage more deeply with organizations and leaders in immigration, family policing, education, reproductive justice, housing, and other aligned spaces. This commitment to building power across movements and building a base contributes to and works in tandem with DPA’s work on policy and legislative change.

Learn more about working at the Drug Policy Alliance here and learn about our work to end the drug war here.

The Role:

The Development Associate is the heartbeat of our development department. In this fast-paced environment, you will have the opportunity to engage with all facets of development, offering significant growth prospects in fundraising and direct exposure to various development activities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage fundraising administration and operations, with a focus on event support and prospect research.
• Collaborate with each development team member to achieve the organization’s fundraising goals.
• Develop and implement administrative processes to ensure the fundraising efforts run smoothly and efficiently.

General Administrative Support (50%)

Provide robust support to the development department, including substantial support to the Managing Director of Development, including:

• Manage administrative tasks for the department, including taking meeting notes, uploading donor summaries, submitting expense reports, assisting in internal and external scheduling, and additional data entry as needed.
• Assisting in the execution of limited direct mail and email campaigns, including the major gifts year end mailing and bi-monthly donor email newsletter.
• Tracking foundation report and proposal deadlines and providing updates to the team regularly.
• Assisting with the management of donor portfolios, pipelines, and outreach schedules for the major gifts team and Executive Director.

Prospect Research (30%)

Research current and potential donors to identify new fundraising opportunities, including:

• Identifying and researching potential and existing donors to the organization who have a greater capacity to give.
• Staying abreast of philanthropic news and trends to find potential benefactors not yet associated with the organization.
• Supporting the major gifts team’s trip planning by identifying prospective donors in a geographic area.

Event Support (20%)

• Organize and manage in-person and online events in collaboration with the major gifts team, including pre and post event follow up and onsite logistics.

Skills and Experience:

To fulfill the responsibilities of the role, we are seeking candidates with the following qualifications and characteristics:

• Passion: A strong commitment to DPA’s mission to end the war on drugs.
• Experience: Previous experience contributing to development work in a non-profit organization.
• Skills: Exceptional verbal, writing, and interpersonal communication skills; keen attention to detail; highly organized; ability to deliver high-quality work under deadlines.

Technology:

• Proficiency with Salesforce or other CRM tools; familiarity with wealth screening tools is a plus.

Compensation:

This is a full-time, exempt position. The salary range for this position is $60,000-$65,000, depending on the level of experience. Benefits for DPA staff include comprehensive health insurance and coverage (including dental and vision), 403b retirement plan with 10% employer matching contribution, paid time off including 20 days of vacation, plus national holidays, sick days, organizational closure at the end of December, and Year-round early dismissal on Fridays.

Location

This role is based in New York City. The Development Associate is expected to be onsite 2-3 days per week and may work remotely other days.

Hours:

Full-time, remote, and flexible schedule.

How to Apply:

To apply, please submit the following two things:

1. Your resume
2. A cover letter that includes brief responses to the following prompts:

• Why you want to work in drug policy/for the Drug Policy Alliance.
• Choose one skill listed in this job description and explain how you possess that skill.
• Briefly describe your career goals, and
• Your salary requirements

Equal Opportunity

Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. DPA encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, personal appearance, political affiliation, family responsibility, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction. Drug Policy Alliance is particularly interested in hiring people who have been adversely affected by the war on drugs.