Development Coordinator

Background: RYSE (Refugee Youth Solidarity through Education) is a Rhode Island nonprofit dedicated to serving refugee youth. Our mission is to foster literacy, confidence, and community among K-12 refugee youth in Rhode Island through hands-on, joyful summer learning and leadership development. We fulfill this mission through multiple programs, including our flagship offering: a free, five-week summer camp program for ~100 refugee youth with instruction in math and literacy, enriching field trips, creative outlets, fun activities, free breakfast and lunch, and a strong supportive community. Founded in 2011, Camp RYSE (formerly known as BRYTE Summer Camp) operated for 11 years through local partnerships and a fiscal sponsorship. In 2023, we incorporated as an independent nonprofit and are seeking a Development Coordinator to help us expand our programming. Learn more about our mission, vision, and programming at campryse.org.

Summary of Role: Reporting to RYSE’s Executive Director, RYSE is hiring a part-time Development Coordinator to support grant writing and fundraising efforts for our programs, expansion, and execution of our mission. This role requires strong writing skills, fundraising experience, and teamwork. We seek candidates who are excited about expanding access to RYSE and onboarding new community and foundation partners.

Responsibilities

• The Development Coordinator's main role is to assist RYSE in reaching fundraising goals through grant writing, corporate sponsorships, fundraisers, and donations
• Develop a deep knowledge of the mission, vision, and history of Camp RYSE
• Serve as lead in writing grants, including grant reporting responsibilities and a calendar of deadlines, with support from the Fundraising Committee and Executive Director
• Lead research efforts, networking, and cultivating relationships with new foundations, major donors, and other grant opportunities
• Document and maintain a chart of current and prospective foundation grants
• Be part of shaping RYSE’s long-term fund development strategy and plans
• Attend RYSE’s fundraising committee once a month (typically after business hours) and meet regularly with RYSE’s Executive Director
• Attend events, workshops and conferences to bring in new tools, strategies and opportunities to continually improve RYSE’s development strategy
• Support the Executive Director to track and categorize all deposits and income for RYSE’s book-keeping and accounting

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a demonstrated track record of leveraging communication and storytelling skills in grant writing
• Passion for fundraising, grant writing, and org development with strong self-management, organizational skills, data literacy, and attention to detail
• The ideal candidate has experience working in education, refugee services, or similar community-focused direct action nonprofits and/or experience working with diverse communities
• The ideal candidate is excited at the prospect of building RYSE’s relationships with other institutions and individuals, and has a willingness to solicit donations over email and phone
• Knowledge of Word and Excel or equivalent products is required; past experience working with creating marketing campaigns, creating graphics, and working with social media or other fundraising software is not required but is a plus
• Some weekend work may be required for a small number (<5) fundraising events per year, although we offer flexibility in working hours to account for this. Similarly, our fundraising committee typically meets after business hours once a month.

*Note: This job is remote, although preference will given to candidates based in Rhode Island and/or the Northeast.*