Development Specialist

About Oakland Promise

Oakland Promise is a citywide organization dedicated to advancing equity and economic mobility by supporting Oakland children and families from birth through college and career. Through financial investments, educational support, scholarships, college and career advising, and partnerships across the city, Oakland Promise helps ensure that every Oakland student has the resources and opportunities needed to thrive.

Position Summary

The Development Specialist provides critical operational and administrative support to Oakland Promise's Development and Communications team, helping to advance annual fundraising, stewardship, and special events goals. This role ensures the seamless execution of gift processing, database management, event logistics, and administrative support while serving as a key partner across Development, Communications, Finance, and Programs.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, mission-driven, and energized by creating and sustaining systems that enable strong donor experiences and organizational growth.

Key Responsibilities

Development Operations & Gift Processing (50%)

• Process and acknowledge charitable contributions in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintain donor records, constituent information, and fundraising data within Oakland Promise’s CRM system, Salesforce.
• Generate gift reports, dashboards, mailing lists, and development analytics periodically.
• Coordinate donor acknowledgment letters, tax receipts, and stewardship communications with the CEO
• Support monthly reconciliation of gifts with Finance and maintain documentation for audits and reporting requirements.
• Ensure high standards of data integrity, confidentiality, and record management.

Donor Stewardship & Engagement (20%)

• Support the Development Manager on the implementation of stewardship plans for individual, corporate, and foundation donors.
• Support the Development Manager on scholarship donor communications, reporting, and recognition activities.
• Support the team in maintaining stewardship calendars and ensuring timely completion of donor commitments.

Event Management & Administrative Support (30%)

• Provide logistical support for fundraising and stewardship events, including the annual funder reception and regular donor gatherings.
• Track and manage invitations, registrations, guest lists, and event communications.
• Support with vendor relationships, supplies, and event materials.
• Support cross-functional project management efforts to ensure successful execution of development initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Two or more years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising operations, administration, or a related field.
• Experience with donor databases or CRM systems (Salesforce experience strongly preferred).
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
• Commitment to educational equity and Oakland Promise's mission.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting fundraising events and donor stewardship activities.
• Familiarity with grant administration and institutional fundraising processes.
• Experience working collaboratively across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising best practices and donor relations.

Compensation and Benefits

• Full-time role, non-exempt
• Hiring range for this role is $65,000-$71,000, based on skill sets and experience
• Competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision
• 401(k) with employer match
• Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Hybrid work environment, with required three days in-person out of our Oakland office
• Occasional evening and weekend hours required for some events

Please send your resume and cover letter to apply@oaklandpromise.org - Please include your last name and first initial and position title (ex: Doe_J Development Specialist) in the subject line.

Failure to follow these instructions may delay the review of your application. Applications will be reviewed immediately and candidates with the best fit will be contacted for interviews. Unfortunately, the volume of applications will prevent us from responding to all applications received.

Oakland Promise is a place-based organization located in Oakland, California. Oakland Promise requires that employees work in person at various engagements. It is a requirement that all staff reside within commuting distance to the main office, located at 484 9th Street, Oakland, CA 94607. Please note that at any time, a full in-person work plan may be required, and it is of utmost importance that all staff are able to meet this requirement. Oakland Promise is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Oakland Promise is committed to providing a work environment free of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and disrespectful or other unprofessional conduct based on sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), sex stereotype, race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, gender (including gender identity, gender expression, and transgender), national origin (including language use restrictions and possession of a driver's license issued under Vehicle Code section 12801.9), ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, sexual orientation, military, and veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or ordinance or regulation. It also prohibits discrimination, harassment, disrespectful or unprofessional conduct based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is Specialists with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.

• Full-time role, non-exempt
• Competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision
• 401(k) with employer match
• Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Hybrid work environment, with required three days in-person out of our Oakland office
• Occasional evening and weekend hours required for some events

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