Development and Communications Associate

Position Description

Mychal’s Learning Place is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support, training and opportunities to youth and young adults with developmental disabilities to build their independence and pursue their goals and dreams.

The Development & Communications Associate will work directly with the Development & Special Events Manager daily to ensure the effective completion of all Mychal’s Learning Place fundraising and communications objectives. This position plays an important role by providing support to the Development & Special Events Manager while participating in all department activities including donor relations, donor data entry and upkeep, prospect research, in-kind donation coordination, special events, content drafting and awareness building Communications initiatives.

Specific Responsibilities/Duties

• Monetary & In-Kind Donor Engagement
  • • Regularly produce and finalize accurate donor acknowledgement letters for donor tax purposes.
    • Help execute best practices for thanking donors including writing thank you letters, calling donors, gratitude plans, and donor appreciation events.
    • Work with Development team and committees to solicit, coordinate, manage, and track in-kind donations.
    • Respond to development-related phone calls and email inquiries in a professional and timely manner.
    • Drive Peer-to-Peer fundraising efforts by recruiting fundraisers and communicating to ensure a smooth onboarding and fundraising process.
• Data Entry & Reporting
  • • Responsible for data entry and gift processing, including ongoing maintenance of the database, ensuring data is accurate, current, and consistent.
    • Responsible for generating donor data and reports requested by staff.
• Communications & Marketing
  • • Work with the COO, Development & Special Events Manager, and Social Media Associate to develop and execute year-round communications plan across platforms (ex. Social media, email, website & blog, public relations, marketing, development material, etc.).
    • Collaborate with Social Media Associate to develop creative campaigns to broaden awareness across all of Mychal’s brands.
    • Coordinate and activate cross-promotions with corporate sponsors.
    • Assist Development & Special Events Manager in creation of automated email systems to recruit, nurture, and retain supporters throughout all aspects of the donor cycle.
    • Set highest standards for quality, attention to detail, flawless execution and results.
    • Collaborate with Social Media Associate to maintain and organize photo and video library.
• Events
  • • Work with the Development & Special Events Manager to support event research, planning, and execution.
    • Work with the Development & Special Events Manager to help solicit event-specific donations and sponsorships.
  • Volunteers
    • Work with Development & Special Events Manager to recruit and steward volunteers for a variety of roles including committees.
    • Coordinate volunteer experiences for all special events and ad hoc events supporting MLP
    • Work with Lead MLP staff to determine regular and one-time volunteer opportunities
    • Develop volunteer program that includes organization wide best practices and engagement

Position Requirements

• • 1-2 years of experience with fundraising or related work in the nonprofit sector; Preferred.
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in nonprofits and/or communications; equivalent work experience will be strongly considered.
  • Strong ability to multitask; Required.
  • Ability to professionally write and edit copy; Required.
  • Passion for storytelling; Preferred.
  • High computer proficiency and comfort including familiarity with Dropbox, Canva, Google Drive, Sheets, Docs, Forms, etc. and working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite; Required.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills; Required.
  • Detail-oriented; Required.
  • Top-notch time management skills; Required.
  • Demonstrated commitment to working with underserved populations; Preferred.

Reports To: Development & Special Events Manager

Location: Hawthorne, CA

Equal Opportunity – Mychal’s Learning Place is an equal opportunity corporation. Mychal’s Learning Place does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin or handicapped status. Mychal’s Learning Place takes all necessary steps to comply with existing Federal, State and Local Fair Employment