Development Associate

Family Services Inc. • Poughkeepsie, NY

10d • $63,000

About The Position

The Development Associate supports the execution of the Development Team's philanthropic, communications, and events strategy to advance Family Services’ mission. They will work closely with the Vice President of Philanthropy and the Events & Communications Manager to drive awareness, engagement, and funding by providing administrative support for donation processing and acknowledgment, creating compelling visual and written communications, and supporting event planning initiatives. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, leading marketing and event efforts that drive awareness, engagement, and funding for critical community programs. You’ll work in a collaborative and mission-driven environment, with the chance to grow professionally and contribute to lasting change.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, graphic design, business development, or nonprofit management preferred, plus 2+ years of progressively related experience, preferably in a nonprofit setting.
• Technical experience:
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Powerpoint)
• Experience with CRM software and database management (Neon CRM preferred)
• Knowledge of graphic design software (Adobe Creative Suites preferred, Canva required).
• Operate a computer, printer, scanner, and postage machine.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and adhere to branding principles, accessibility standards, and effective nonprofit storytelling.
• Ability to work in a team setting and communicate professionally. Must be able to receive and incorporate feedback.
• Access to reliable transportation during and outside of work hours.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as required for outreach and events.

Nice To Haves

• Personal experience in sales or fundraising a plus.
• Experience planning and executing special events and/or awareness campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Support marketing and communications strategy in alignment with Development Team's strategic plan and Family Services' mission.
• Ensure branding consistency across all internal and external communications, including donor messaging, advocacy campaigns, and program promotions.
• Provide social media imagery, website updates, and newsletter copy; garner client success stories and program highlights by working with staff across the agency.
• Provide outreach/structural support as needed for community events, print and digital campaigns, and brochures.
• Assist with strategy and outreach for annual community events, soliciting vendors and providing planning expertise as needed.
• Design advertisements and other collateral for use by external organizations and businesses.
• Attend networking events as a Family Services representative, advancing brand awareness and cultivating relationships with potential donors and partners
• Support cross-marketing efforts with corporate partners via multiple channels.
• Support Events & Communications Manager in the planning and execution of signature events.
• Coordinate volunteers and vendors; solicit in-kind donations when possible.
• Generate regular reports for the Events & Communications Manager on event registrations, donations, and sponsorships.
• Assist in donor cultivation events to strengthen relationships.
• Draft compelling print and digital collateral for events and appeals in alignment with agency brand guidelines and event vision.
• Offer data-driven insights and recommendations to Development Team surrounding event and appeal strategy.
• Provide administrative support by making phone calls, sending emails, soliciting auction items/sponsorships, invoicing, and digital filing.
• Process donations and registrations by regularly entering gifts into NEON CRM and mailing personalized gift acknowledgement letters in a timely manner.
• Manage the NEON database by creating event registration pages, appeal donation forms, and editing donor records for accuracy and efficiency (deduplicate, correct addresses, suppress bad records).
• Prepare reports on donor/donation data to support donor cultivation and stewardship strategies
• Liaise with finance team on gift entry and donation reconciliation.
• Identify and apply for marketing and promotional grant opportunities in coordination with Development Team.
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Philanthropy by creating and cleaning mailing lists and reporting on donations/pledges; ensure timely follow up for pledges.
• Supervise the Development & Marketing Intern in collaboration with the Events & Communications Manager.
• Engage with the Board’s Development Committee at monthly meetings and provide insights on fundraising performance.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 5%
• Generous paid vacation, holiday, sick and personal time package (2 weeks’ vacation to start, 13 paid holidays per year, 12 sick days per year and 4 personal days per year)
• Group term life and long-term disability insurance
• Supplemental life insurance & accidental death and dismemberment coverage (AD&D)
• Supplemental insurance through Aflac
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Access to Family Services’ Compassionate Leave Program where employees can donate/receive unused time off

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level