Development Associate

Job Title: Development Associate (Part Time)

Start Date: April 2026

Hours/Week: 10-20 hours per week (average 18 hours/week).

• Flexible scheduling coordinated with the Executive Director within Eastern Time business hours
• Regular overlap during agreed-upon hours required for collaboration
• Work may be structured around school-day hours or similar predictable part-time availability

Compensation: $30/hr

Location: Remote (preference for candidates in the NYC area or Colorado)

Reports To: Executive Director

Application Deadline: March 21, 2026

About the Wright-Ingraham Institute

Founded in 1970, The Wright-Ingraham Institute (WII) is a nonprofit education and research organization advancing place-based, interdisciplinary approaches to land and water resilience. We are a small team that values clarity, follow-through, and collaboration. We have the kind of working environment where people take ownership and help each other succeed.

www.wright-ingraham.org

Position Summary

The Development Associate is an essential coordination role that supports the Institute’s fundraising and donor stewardship operations. This position ensures strong oversight of our donor pipeline and funder relationships by keeping systems organized, timely, and consistent.

Because our team is small, everyone is an excellent multi-tasker and may wear a few hats. This role is a true multiplier: by owning key development operations and details, the Development Associate enables the Executive Director to focus on high-value relationship building with donors and foundations.

Core Responsibilities

CRM & data systems (Neon One)

• Own day-to-day Neon One CRM management to keep records accurate, current, and usable
• Maintain donor lists, segmentation, and tracking systems to ensure the donor pipeline is up-to-date
• Create and manage Neon forms, event registration/ticketing, and basic submission workflows
• Support internal data needs across staff (Executive Director, Director of Research, Program Director, and grant writer)

Stewardship & donor communications

• Ensure thank-yous and acknowledgments are sent quickly and consistently (including automated letters and personalized outreach as needed)
• Draft and send donor correspondence (email and notes) with a professional, warm tone
• Track next steps, reminders, and follow-ups to maintain strong stewardship momentum
• May join donor calls to take notes and track action items

Campaigns & fundraising coordination

• Support key campaigns (e.g. mid-year and year-end), including:
  • CRM setup, segmentation, and tracking
  • Mailings support and logistics
  • Coordinating donor-facing communications (in collaboration with staff)
• Provide system oversight for crowdfunding/campaign workflows and internal tracking

Prospect research & workflow support

• Conduct donor and prospect research, including basic vetting and organization of findings
• Maintain reporting reminders and deadline tracking (including foundation-related workflows)

General admin support

• Provide other administrative support as needed to help the organization run smoothly

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who is highly detail-oriented, thrives on operational excellence, and enjoys building systems that make work feel clear and doable. You might be the kind of person who:

• Takes real pleasure in a clean spreadsheet and realistic timeline
• Loves checking things off a to-do list
• Keeps calm, consistent pressure on follow-ups so relationships don’t slip
• Thrives on a team and doesn't mind wearing many hats

Qualifications

Required

• Exceptional organizational skills and strong follow-through
• Excellent written communication skills (warm, professional donor correspondence)
• Strong project management instincts: tracking, prioritizing, timelines, and reminders
• Proficiency with Excel/Google Sheets
• Discretion, integrity, and the ability to keep information confidential
• Comfort working independently in a small-team environment and taking ownership of core responsibilities

Preferred

• Prior experience with a CRM platform, preferably Neon One
• Experience with Mailchimp or similar email marketing tools
• Familiarity with donor stewardship operations, fundraising campaigns, or nonprofit development workflows

Compensation & Benefits

• $30/hour, W-2 part-time employee
• PTO included
• Flexible schedule and a collaborative, mission-driven team environment

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• A brief writing sample:
  • Write a thank-you email to a donor who just gave $5,000 to support WII’s general operations.

Email the above to recruit@wright-ingraham.org with the subject heading “Development Associate Application”

Apply by: March 21

The Wright-Ingraham Institute is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

PTO included

Flexible schedule and a collaborative, mission-driven team environment

English proficiency