Development Associate

Advocates For Children (AFC) is a dynamic social justice organization that strives to ensure a high-quality education for New York students who face barriers to academic success, focusing on students from low-income backgrounds. AFC works on behalf of children and youth who are at greatest risk of academic failure due to poverty, race, ethnicity, disability, homelessness, immigration status/limited English proficiency, or involvement in the child welfare or juvenile/criminal legal systems. We use uniquely integrated strategies to advance systemic reform, empower families and communities, and advocate for the educational rights of individual students.  

AFC grounds our work in our organization’s values:  

• Family-Centered: We listen to what families want for their children and empower them with information and support.  

• Expertise: We ground our advocacy in more than 50 years of experience with the NYC public schools and deep knowledge of the legal and education systems affecting the students and families we serve. 

• Passion: We are united by our unrelenting drive to dismantle obstacles to education and our unwavering dedication to NYC’s students and families. 

• Community: We foster collaboration and inclusive practices within our team and with outside partners so we can learn from different perspectives and unite in advancing our common goals. 

• Justice: We view the law as a powerful tool to bridge gaps in access to education and help families from under-represented communities fight for their rights. 

• Impact: We recognize that our value lies in the difference we make in the lives of students and their families and push ourselves to achieve concrete results.  

For more information on AFC, see www.advocatesforchildren.org.

JOB SUMMARY 

AFC seeks a full-time Development Associate to become an integral member of our three-person Development Department as we continue to strengthen our fundraising capacity and grow our base of individual and institutional donors.  

The Development Associate plays a vital role in helping the Development Department achieve AFC’s annual fundraising goals. This position provides essential support across all fundraising activities, including donor database management, grants management, gift processing and acknowledgement, and special events. The Development Associate helps ensure the accuracy, efficiency, and effectiveness of the department’s fundraising operations while contributing to a positive donor experience. 

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and an excellent communicator with strong analytical and technology skills, including experience working with donor databases. The candidate will be able to manage multiple priorities, meet competing deadlines, and exercise sound-judgement in a fast-paced and collaborative environment. The successful candidate will be both a collegial team player and a self-directed professional. 

The Development Associate reports to the Director of Development and works closely with the Senior Manager, Grants and Contracts. 

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Data Management and Gift Administration 

Act as primary administrator/manager of the organization’s donor database and income tracking systems.  

• Ensure all revenue (stock, cash, pledges, in-kind gifts, online credit card payments and electronic fund transfers) is tracked, processed and acknowledged in a timely manner and in accordance with established policies.   

• Prepare data and run reports for the Development and Finance teams to ensure reconciliation of all donations, accuracy of data, and reporting. 

• Analyze donor data to facilitate strategy and planning. 

• Maintain various organizational/administrative documents for the department and collaborate with the Operations team on the annual audit.   

• Respond promptly and professionally to inquiries from donors via phone and email.  

Grants Management 

Assist with management of government and foundation grants. 

• Track grant payment schedules and record grant payments. 

• Assist in the preparation of supporting materials for government and private grant applications and reports, as well as submission of compliance documents.  

Special Events and Campaigns 

Assist with planning and execution of all Special Events and Campaigns. 

• Provide administrative support for event production and campaigns including maintaining detailed records of all revenue and preparing mailing, guest and sponsorship lists. 

• Create online donation portals for events and campaigns. 

• Attend and provide necessary support at events.  

• Work closely with Spring Benefit Event Planning Consultant to provide administrative support. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Understanding of and alignment with AFC’s mission. Please review AFC’s work at www.advocatesforchildren.org. 

• Desire to learn, both as an individual and as part of an organization, and apply diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism principles. 

• Bachelor’s degree is required.  

• 1-3 years professional experience required; fundraising experience preferred. 

• Fluidity and ease with technology. Proficiency in Excel required; comfort using all other Microsoft Office applications.  

• Experience with donor database application is required; experience with Salesforce is strongly preferred. 

• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated consistent ability to pay close attention to detail. 

• Proven ability to prioritize, take initiative and work collaboratively in a team.  

• Strong communication skills that are consistently prompt and highly responsive; ability and desire to take initiative and bring forward creative and new ideas. Strong writing skills a plus.  

• Highly collaborative and able to work across teams. 

• Ability to anticipate and satisfy internal (staff) and external (donor) needs. 

• Intellectual curiosity and ability to think outside of the box to efficiently solve problems. 

• Humor, imagination, and a love for new challenges always welcome. 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS 

Candidates should submit a resume and cover letter highlighting why they are interested in this role at AFC and how their experience aligns with the Development Associate position, including any personal or professional experience that demonstrates your connection to the populations that AFC serves.  

The position is available immediately, and resumes will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Due to the high volume of applicants, only qualified candidates will be contacted.  

COMPENSATION 

This is a full-time position, with a salary in the range of $63,702 - $69,323, depending on experience, and includes a comprehensive benefits package.   

This position is expected to work at least 2 days a week in the office and remotely on the remaining days.

ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION

AFC’s current compensation package includes medical and dental insurance, with a plan option that covers full payment of medical plan premiums for staff and their qualified dependents.  AFC has generous time-off policies that include 10 federal holidays, office closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day, and 15 vacation days and 15 paid time off days in the first year of employment.  AFC also offers a 403(b) plan with a fully vested employer match and coverage of the premium cost of life insurance and short-term and long-term disability insurance.

AFC is an equal opportunity employer that actively seeks to recruit and retain a diverse staff and encourages all applications including from people of color, persons with disabilities, parents of persons with disabilities, persons of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or gender expressions and persons of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. 

AFC is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability or other protected characteristic. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. For more information and to request an accommodation, contact Human Resources at [email protected].