Development Associate

Who we are:

Flatbush Cats is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to reduce overcrowded animal shelters in New York City and prevent more cats from ending up on the street in the first place. What began as a grassroots rescue effort has grown into a citywide organization addressing the root causes through affordable veterinary care, access to spay/neuter services, and community outreach.

At the heart of our work is Flatbush Veterinary Clinic, a high-volume nonprofit clinic serving low-income pet owners, rescue organizations, and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) volunteers throughout Brooklyn. Each year, the clinic performs more than 7,500 spay/neuter surgeries—a number that continues to grow—while providing affordable wellness and dental care to thousands of pets.

By combining high-quality veterinary care with a commitment to accessibility, we're helping keep pets with their families while creating a city where more people and pets can receive the support they need.

What you’ll do:

We’re entering a new phase of growth, building on the momentum behind our work while staying focused on a simple philosophy: We focus on a few things and do them exceptionally well while building a community of supporters who believe in our vision.

But fundraising doesn’t run on good intentions alone. It runs on systems, details, follow-through, and trust.

The Development Associate will play a critical role in ensuring the infrastructure behind our donor relationships operates smoothly and accurately. This collaborative, detail-oriented role supports the development team by managing donor data, processing gifts, preparing reports and materials, and ensuring every interaction is timely and thoughtful.

You’ll work closely with a capable and growing team, with strong leadership support and a deeply committed board. This role is designed with realistic expectations, meaningful onboarding, and the space needed to succeed.

This role is ideal for someone who is:

• Deeply passionate about our mission
• Exceptionally organized and attentive to detail
• Dependable and accountable for their work
• Personable, professional, and comfortable working with people
• Calm and solution-oriented when challenges arise
• Curious and quick to learn new systems and tools
• Open to feedback and committed to continuous improvement

Work Schedule:

This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Brooklyn, New York, with four days per week in the office.

What you’ll get:

Compensation

• The hiring range is $66,500–$75,000 annually, based on experience, skills, and qualifications.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% employer-paid premiums
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) fully funded to cover the plan deductible
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) with optional employee enrollment
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match: 100% match on the first 3% of contributions, plus 50% match on contributions up to 5%
• Transit and parking benefit: $60 monthly employer contribution
• Paid time off
• Paid sick time
• Paid holidays

Responsibilities:

Donor Data & CRM Management

• Own the accuracy, structure, and integrity of donor data within Salesforce
• Manage gift processing workflows, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance
• Develop and maintain reporting tools that support team decision-making
• Conduct routine data audits to ensure accuracy and consistency
• Analyze donor data and reporting outputs to identify trends, inconsistencies, or opportunities
• Ensure reporting accuracy and usability for strategic decision-making
• Demonstrate discretion and judgment when handling sensitive donor information

Gift Processing & Donor Communication

• Independently manage donor communications related to gifts, records, and inquiries across email and phone
• Resolve issues with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment
• Determine appropriate next steps and prioritize responses across competing needs
• Oversee timely and accurate gift entry, reconciliation, and acknowledgment workflows
• Ensure donor interactions reflect organizational standards and reinforce trust
• Identify when to escalate complex issues and when to resolve independently
• Document communications to maintain continuity, accuracy, and institutional knowledge

Development Operations & Coordination

• Prepare donor briefings and background research to support meetings and relationship management
• Manage scheduling and coordination of donor meetings and follow-ups
• Support execution of event logistics and campaign-related activities
• Develop and pull segmented lists for targeted outreach efforts
• Build and format Mailchimp email templates and campaigns as assigned
• Maintain email-list data, including merge fields, unsubscribes, suppressions, and related automations
• Maintain organized systems for digital files and documentation

Prospect Research Support

• Conduct and synthesize prospect research to support donor cultivation strategy
• Identify potential new major and mid-level donors using available data and tools
• Develop clear, actionable summaries to inform team decision-making

Team Collaboration

• Serve as a reliable, responsive team member who anticipates needs and solves problems proactively
• Learn and master the tools and systems the team uses (CRM, email platforms, project management tools)
• Identify, implement, and refine process improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and consistency across workflows
• Contribute to a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

Required

• 2+ years of administrative, development, operations, or database management experience
  • May come from internships, part-time roles, school projects, or volunteer experience.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable interacting professionally with donors and external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to learn new software systems quickly and thoroughly
• Experience working with databases or CRM systems
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines consistently
• Strong sense of accountability and follow-through

Preferred

• Experience in a nonprofit fundraising environment
• Familiarity with donor database best practices and reporting
• Experience supporting fundraising events or campaigns
• Experience with Salesforce

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% employer-paid premiums
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) fully funded to cover the plan deductible
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) with optional employee enrollment
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match: 100% match on the first 3% of contributions, plus 50% match on contributions up to 5%
• Transit and parking benefit: $60 monthly employer contribution
• Paid time off
• Paid sick time
• Paid holidays