Development Associate

Role Details: Part-time (15-20 hrs/week) at rate of $20/hr

Work Environment: Remote

Position Reports To: Executive Director & Advancement Team

Application Deadline: December 13, 2025

About PALS Programs

PALS is a growing nonprofit that creates inclusive camp experiences for individuals with and without Down syndrome. Our programs are led by teams of dedicated volunteers and have been designed to change attitudes, transform lives, and inspire a world of belonging. As an organization committed to a more inclusive world, we recognize the importance of having our community reflect the areas we serve. The need for young people, both with and without Down syndrome, to find connection and purpose is more important now than ever.

Position Overview

The Development Associate at PALS Programs supports all of the operational tasks associated with our Advancement Team. This individual will coordinate the upkeep of our donor database (Bloomerang) including the import and clean-up of data, as well as the implementation of moving contacts through key pipelines and tagging systems. The Development Associate will also be a source of communication and gratitude to our donor community - conducting thank you calls, shipping acknowledgments, and sending emails to remind supporters of the impact their contributions have made. This role will also be a key contributor with prospect research and tracking, supporting grant writing and submission timelines, and offering other support to the Advancement Team as needed.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Maintaining Donor Database
  • Coordinate data import and gift coding
  • Conduct weekly clean-up and de-duping of all contacts
  • Ensure all communications are accurately tracked in database
  • Manage tags and pipeline process for all constituents including program participants, newsletter recipients, donors, and alumni
• Donor Gratitude Support
  • Conduct donor thank you calls and emails
  • Support donor stewardship initiatives (gift mailing, impact updates, etc.)
• Development Operations Tasks
  • Support gift processing and acknowledgement process
  • Assist with prospect research and tracking
  • Provide support with grant writing and submissions
  • Assist Advancement Team with other development tasks as assigned

Skills & Experience we are looking for:

• Proven experience in remote work, preferably within a nonprofit setting, supporting communications or development functions
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; able to engage a diverse range of stakeholders effectively
• Self-motivated and disciplined, with a proactive approach to problem-solving in a remote environment
• Strong ambassador for the PALS mission, capable of connecting and inspiring new community members
• Highly organized, adept at managing multiple projects and priorities concurrently
• Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to continuous quality improvement
• Deep alignment with the PALS Programs mission and passion for positively impacting participants and families

Terms & Compensation

This is a non-exempt, part-time position according to the FLSA, with an expectation of approximately 15-20 hours/week and a salary of $20/hour. Hours will be submitted on a bi-weekly basis and will track all progress. Hours can be flexible but at least 10 hours/week should be completed during the 9am-5pm ET M-F work week for collaboration. The employee will also attend two weekly one hour meetings, Tues @ 1pm ET and Thurs @ 11:30am ET.

The employee will work remotely and is expected to have a dedicated workspace for phone calls, video conferences, and independent work. The employee will need to have their own laptop and wifi for work.

PALS is a fully remote team but will prioritize applications that live within key regions (California, Ohio, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey).

Equal Opportunity Employer

PALS is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workspace. We recognize that this takes consistent work and are committed to continual improvement. We believe that diverse ideas, cultures, and traditions reflect the broad diversity of the U.S. and are essential to building our vision of a community of belonging. PALS encourages applicants to describe in their cover letter the unique contributions they, as individuals with diverse experiences, would bring to the organization. We particularly encourage BIPOC (Black people, Indigenous peoples, and People of Color) to apply.

To Apply:

• • Submit a resume and cover letter to hiring@palsprograms.orgIn your cover letter, please include not only your experiences and skills, but also specifics about this job that you are excited by. If you have a specific example in your life that illustrates relevant qualities or skills, we would love to read about it in your cover letter.
  • In addition to the resume & cover letter, complete an application here

Terms & Compensation

This is a non-exempt, part-time position according to the FLSA, with an expectation of approximately 15-20 hours/week and a salary of $20/hour. Hours will be submitted on a bi-weekly basis and will track all progress. Hours can be flexible but at least 10 hours/week should be completed during the 9am-5pm ET M-F work week for collaboration. The employee will also attend two weekly one hour meetings, Tues @ 1pm ET and Thurs @ 11:30am ET.

The employee will work remotely and is expected to have a dedicated workspace for phone calls, video conferences, and independent work. The employee will need to have their own laptop and wifi for work.

PALS is a fully remote team but will prioritize applications that live within key regions (California, Ohio, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey).

Skills & Experience we are looking for:

• Proven experience in remote work, preferably within a nonprofit setting, supporting communications or development functions
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; able to engage a diverse range of stakeholders effectively
• Self-motivated and disciplined, with a proactive approach to problem-solving in a remote environment
• Strong ambassador for the PALS mission, capable of connecting and inspiring new community members
• Highly organized, adept at managing multiple projects and priorities concurrently
• Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to continuous quality improvement
• Deep alignment with the PALS Programs mission and passion for positively impacting participants and families