Senior Specialist, Development Data & Research

Location: New York City, Hybrid

About WhyHunger: WhyHunger believes a world without hunger is possible. We provide critical resources to support grassroots movements and fuel community solutions rooted in social, environmental, racial, and economic justice. We are working to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food in the U.S. and around the world.

Founded in 1975, WhyHunger has been at the forefront of the movement to address the root causes of hunger and build a more just and equitable food system for nearly 50 years.

Position Overview: WhyHunger is seeking an analytical and detail-oriented Senior Specialist, Development Data & Research to join our team. This role will be integral to our development efforts, managing our donor CRM and ensuring our database is accurate, effective, and leveraged to its fullest potential. The Senior Specialist, Development Data & Research will also play a crucial role in helping our team utilize data to cultivate and steward donors and funders, track progress, monitor and evaluate our fundraising strategies, and plan future initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Donor CRM Management
   • Oversee and maintain the donor CRM system to ensure data accuracy and integrity.
   • Streamline and oversee donor gift entry, acknowledgments, and related processes to ensure timely and accurate record-keeping and donor engagement.
   • Design and implement data management policies and procedures for our team to enhance database efficiency and maximize use.
   • Consistently identify opportunities for improving data management and donor stewardship practices.
   • Regularly train development staff and interns to implement best practices for data entry, tracking, and reporting.
2. Data Analysis and Reporting
   • Generate and analyze reports on donor trends, campaign performance, and fundraising progress.
   • Assist in tracking and assessing the effectiveness of fundraising strategies and initiatives.
   • Provide reports and actionable insights to the Individual and Institutional Giving Managers to support donor cultivation and stewardship.
   • Assist with grants management and support the preparation of grant reports and documentation to ensure compliance and effective communication with funders.
3. Donor and Funder Research
   • Conduct thorough research on prospective donors and funders to support pipeline development and prospecting efforts.
   • Prepare detailed reports and profiles on potential major donors, foundations, and other funding sources.
   • Monitor trends and opportunities in philanthropy to inform strategic planning and outreach efforts.
4. Donor Communication and Engagement
   • Support the segmentation of donors based on engagement, giving history, and other relevant criteria to tailor communication strategies.
   • Assist in building and maintaining email lists for targeted donor outreach and engagement.
   • Help design and implement effective email campaigns, including crafting compelling email templates and content.
   • Analyze the performance of email campaigns and donor communications to help our team refine strategies and improve engagement.
   • Support direct mail campaigns and other donor appeals through mailing list creation and oversight of direct mail data entry.
   • Support the creation of donor communications and materials, including customized reports and acknowledgments.
   • Assist in organizing and managing donor stewardship events and activities.
5. State Charity License Coordination
   • Coordinate with outside consultants to handle the annual issuance of state charity license applications and renewals.
   • Ensure timely submission of required documentation and maintain compliance with state regulations.

Qualifications & Core Competencies: The right candidate for this position has passion for data and research, and a keen understanding of how these elements contribute to effective nonprofit development and a collaborative team environment. Ideal candidates will demonstrate enthusiasm for leveraging data to drive impactful results and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

• Bachelor’s degree in data or computer science, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Proven experience in managing donor databases and CRM systems (e.g., EveryAction,

Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge). Experience with wealth screening software is preferred.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to generate and interpret complex reports.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present data clearly and concisely.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience in donor and funder research and prospecting.
• Proficiency in donor segmentation and email list management, as well as ability to build and test email series and campaigns using our CRM.
• Experience with direct mail campaigns, including mailing list management and data entry oversight.
• Experience with grants management and reporting preferred.
• Familiarity with state charity licensing requirements and processes is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and data management software.
• A passion for WhyHunger’s mission to end hunger and advance the human right to nutritious food.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial, social, economic, and environmental justice and a desire to be part of an anti-racist organizational culture.

If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to consider submitting an application.

Salary & Benefits

WhyHunger is committed to internal pay equity and livable wages. The salary for this position is $65,000 - $70,000, commensurate with experience. This employee will be eligible for WhyHunger’s generous benefits package, which includes health insurance, paid vacation, 403(b) retirement plan and more. Full details will be provided.

WhyHunger is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to being a diverse, inclusive, and anti-racist organization. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, medical conditions, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter expressing your interest in the role and highlighting how your experience and skills make you a good fit to development@whyhunger.org. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 21, 2025. We accept applications on a rolling basis, so please apply early!