Associate, Development & External Relations

Americans for Responsible Innovation • San Francisco, CA

1d • $90,000 - $110,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate, Development & External Relations supports fundraising across Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI), the Center for Responsible Innovation (CRI), and ARI PAC. Reporting to the Development & External Relations Lead, the Associate manages fundraising data and records, supports compliance, conducts research, drafts materials, and coordinates events. The Lead sets fundraising strategy and owns donor relationships; the Associate ensures the operations supporting that work are accurate, organized, and on schedule. The position is fast-paced and requires agility, discretion, and agency.

Responsibilities are expected to vary daily and weekly, with an intended long-term allocation of approximately 60% to database management, compliance support, and reporting; 30% to donor relations and external affairs; and 10% to prospect research and stewardship. The role includes maintaining fundraising databases and PAC records, preparing reports, supporting regulatory compliance, tracking events and deadlines, drafting donor communications, coordinating events, researching prospective donors, and maintaining donor pipelines and stewardship materials.

This is a full-time hybrid position based in the San Francisco Bay Area, with access to a co-working space alongside the Development & External Relations Lead. Occasional travel to ARI’s main office in Washington, DC is expected. The salary range is $90,000–$110,000, depending on level and experience. The person in the role is expected to start as soon as possible.

Requirements

• 1–3 years of professional experience.
• Strong data and CRM management skills and close attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and LLMs, and comfort learning new systems quickly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Integrity, discretion, and interpersonal awareness to work effectively with donors, stakeholders, and partners.
• Familiarity with AI and AI policy issues, and alignment with ARI’s mission and vision.
• Proactivity, resourcefulness, sound judgment, and ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Motivation to grow in the field of philanthropy.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with PAC, FEC, or IRS compliance for 501(c)(3)/501(c)(4) fundraising.

Responsibilities

• Maintain ARI’s fundraising databases, currently Airtable, and ensure accurate, complete records across ARI, CRI, and ARI PAC.
• Coordinate with the Government Affairs PAC Assistant to align PAC contribution records in Democracy Engine with ARI’s fundraising database.
• Prepare fundraising reports and dashboards for the Development & External Relations Lead to deliver to leadership.
• Support FEC and IRS compliance across ARI, CRI, and ARI PAC by maintaining donor documentation, flagging potential issues, and helping prepare records and filings for the Lead’s review.
• Track upcoming government affairs events, fundraising targets, and deadlines.
• Track external trends in philanthropy and policy and summarize potential opportunities for the Lead.
• Draft donor communications, including updates, acknowledgments, and proposals, for the Development & External Relations Lead’s review.
• Coordinate logistics for ARI-hosted fundraisers and events in the Bay Area, including invitations, RSVPs, vendors, and follow-up.
• Attend external events alongside the Lead and support logistics, note-taking, and follow-up.
• Identify and research prospective donors, including individuals, foundations, and aligned philanthropic networks, and prepare prospect profiles for the Lead.
• Maintain the donor pipeline in Airtable and track follow-ups and stewardship touchpoints.
• Prepare donor memos, briefing materials, and correspondence to support relationships with current and potential supporters.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with 85% of premiums covered for employees, partners, and dependents.
• Discretionary paid time off and approximately 20 office holidays, including all federal holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 6% employer match.
• Professional development stipend of up to $2,500 annually.
• Dependent Care FSA, Medical FSA, Transit FSA, and Parking FSA.
• Basic life, basic AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage, 100% employer-paid, with optional employee-paid supplemental coverage.
• Wellness benefit of a $150/month taxable stipend for physical and mental well-being.
• Internet and utilities reimbursement of a $150/month taxable stipend for remote-work expenses.
• Up to $500 for home office setup expenses for new full-time employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed