Development Associate

Railroad Street Youth Project (RSYP) is a small, youth-founded organization dedicated to youth empowerment, in the southern part of the beautiful Berkshires of western Massachusetts. At RAILROAD STREET, YOUTH TAKE THE LEAD. They explore their full potential and become equipped to meet the challenging transition to adulthood. RSYP’s professional staff expertly pairs youth-generated ideas with community resources, empowering youth to create and oversee a wide range of innovative, life-changing projects. Unmatched in mission and scope, RSYP excels in helping youth find their voice and realize the benefits of their commitment to themselves and their community.

Position Summary – The Development Associate is responsible for:

• Supporting the Development Director to raise an annual budget of approximately $1,000,000 through events, donor cultivation, a major gifts program, and annual fund appeals.
• Curating the donor database and managing gift processing, acknowledgements, communication recording, and ensuring real-time data accuracy.
• Coordinating and implementing fundraising mailings, donor communications, dissemination of marketing materials, and scheduled social media posts.
• Participating in cultivation planning, activities, and fundraising event planning, implementation, and follow-up.

Core qualifications -- The Development Associate embodies RSYP’s mission in day-to-day interactions with stakeholders, and approach to teamwork and problem-solving. Success in this position requires the following core competencies:

• Experience in the field of development, or a translatable field, and excitement to share and grow it.
• Expertise with database software (donor database software preferred), as well as Microsoft Office suite and Google Calendar. Adobe Creative Suite is a plus. Proficient with social media.
• Enjoyment, curiosity, and ease in connecting with people and exploring shared interests and passions. Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong skill sets in social justice and cultural literacies and experience in working with others across social differences, including age, race, socio-economic status, gender, sexuality, and ability.