Development Fellow (Part-Time, Paid)

Development Fellow

About Brooklyn Org

Brooklyn Org is a champion for Brooklyn. We celebrate Brooklyn’s brilliance and resilience, its incomparable culture and uncompromising grit – and we demand more for our communities.

Over our 15-year history, we have reimagined the role of philanthropy and provided immeasurable support to communities and nonprofit partners that are leading transformational change for Brooklyn. With a new model for community philanthropy, we are bringing together Brooklynites, Brooklyn backers, businesses, and broader believers in equity and justice to make Brooklyn a beacon for the world.

We are a platform for galvanizing giving. We are here to ensure that ideas are met with resources, challenges are met with solutions, and inequity is met with justice.

Position Overview

Designed to introduce emerging leaders to the field of philanthropy through hands-on development experience, the Development Fellow will report to the Vice President of Development & Special Events. The Fellow will support donor engagement, philanthropic advisory activities, and the planning and execution of high-impact cultivation events. The Fellow will directly support the planning and execution of core Brooklyn Org development programs, including:

Donor Engagement & Philanthropic Advisory Support

Brooklyn Org serves as a convener—connecting the work of local nonprofits with donors and fund holders who are interested in supporting community-driven solutions across Brooklyn. In this role, philanthropic advisory focuses on helping donors understand community needs, learn about trusted nonprofit partners, and engage meaningfully in local philanthropy.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following as needed to meet the goals and objectives:

The Development Fellow will:

• Support research, briefing, and strategy development for donor meetings, with a focus on donor-advised fund (DAF) holders, prospects, and corporate partners.
• Prepare briefing materials, dossiers, and outreach lists to strengthen donor engagement and stewardship.
• Assist in drafting donor communications, thank-you notes, and stewardship updates.

Event Planning & Program Support

• Spark Breakfast (March 3):
  • Brooklyn Org’s signature awards event, convening more than 400 philanthropic leaders, nonprofit partners, corporate sponsors, and community members. The event celebrates five Spark Prize winners, each receiving $100,000 in unrestricted funding, and highlights the role of trust-based philanthropy in strengthening Brooklyn’s nonprofit ecosystem. The Fellow will support committee engagement, finalist gatherings, donor-facing materials, and event logistics.
• Volunteer Day (April 25):
  • Brooklyn Org’s borough-wide day of service, engaging approximately 250 volunteers across Spark Prize winner organizations and five additional Brooklyn Org grantee sites. Volunteer Day serves as a hands-on entry point for donors, corporate partners, and community members to connect directly with Brooklyn-based nonprofits. The Fellow will support sponsor coordination, volunteer engagement, on-site logistics, and post-event reporting.
• Donor Advised Fund (DAF) briefings, donor education events, and other philanthropic learning opportunities.
• General donor cultivation and stewardship events, such as salon gatherings, private dinners, and corporate engagement activations.
• Responsibilities include event research, logistics coordination, run-of-show preparation, guest tracking, materials development, and on-site support.

Organizational Learning & Sector Exploration

The Fellow will participate in cross-departmental learning sessions with BKO staff and other fellows—designed to deepen their understanding of philanthropy, community-centered grantmaking, and pathways into philanthropic careers.

Requirements:

• Must be currently enrolled in a graduate program during the fellowship.
• Strong preference for candidates living in New York City with deep connections to Brooklyn.
• Demonstrated interest in philanthropy, community development, nonprofit leadership, fundraising, or related fields.
• Strong organizational, writing, and communication skills; ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Comfort engaging with donors, nonprofit leaders, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Commitment to Brooklyn Org’s mission and values.

Additional Information

Preference for candidates residing in New York City with deep connections to Brooklyn.

The Fellow will report to the BKO office in Downtown Brooklyn for 16 hours weekly between February and June. Must be able to attend events.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Brooklyn Org is an equal opportunity employer. The Organization does not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Compensation and Benefits

The Development Fellow will earn $30 per hour.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume within one PDF via email to development@brooklyn.org. Please write Development Fellow Application in the subject line and mention where you found this job posting. Resumes without cover letters will not be considered.

The Development Fellow will earn $30 per hour.