Senior Development Associate (36208)

ST JOHNS COMMUNITY SERVICES•Washington, DC

7d•$90,000 - $110,000•Hybrid

About The Position

St. John’s Community Services (SJCS) is seeking a Senior Development Associate to build relationships and expand our fundraising presence throughout the DMV. This role is highly external and relationship-driven, requiring a proactive, "boots on the ground" approach to community engagement, identifying new supporters, and cultivating donors. The ideal candidate will possess strong donor portfolio management skills, experience in planning and executing fundraising events, and the strategic ability to develop regional partnerships, including Gifts-in-Kind relationships to reduce operating costs. The primary objective is to secure financial contributions that generate unrestricted revenue.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
5-7 years of fundraising, nonprofit development, sales, business development, or relationship management experience.
Demonstrated success in donor cultivation or client relationship management.
Experience planning and executing events.
Strong public speaking and networking skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication.
Ability to work evenings and weekends for community events.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for regional travel.

Nice To Haves

Experience using donor CRM software.
Experience with sponsorship development.
Experience working with nonprofit organizations.
Knowledge of the DMV philanthropic community.
Experience securing Gifts-in-Kind partnerships.

Responsibilities

Manage and cultivate an assigned portfolio of individual donors throughout the DMV.
Maintain accurate donor records and engagement strategies within the CRM.
Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and retention plans.
Identify, qualify, and engage new prospective donors.
Move donors strategically through the SJCS donor journey—from awareness to annual giving, major giving, and long-term engagement.
Conduct regular donor meetings, tours, stewardship visits, and personalized outreach.
Coordinate donor recognition and stewardship activities.
Collaborate with leadership on major gift opportunities.
Serve as the primary project manager for assigned fundraising events from concept through execution.
Event planning and timeline management
Sponsorship development and fulfillment
Ticket sales and attendee cultivation
Budget management
Vendor coordination
Volunteer coordination
Auction and raffle management
Marketing coordination with the Communications team
Day-of-event logistics
Post-event stewardship and reporting
Continuously evaluate opportunities to expand existing events while creating new fundraising experiences that engage new audiences and increase unrestricted revenue.
Act as a visible ambassador for SJCS throughout the DMV.
Represent SJCS at community events, networking functions, civic organizations, chambers of commerce, and nonprofit collaborations.
Identify opportunities for speaking engagements, tabling events, community fairs, and local partnerships.
Develop relationships with: Civic organizations, Corporate partners, Professional associations, Faith communities, Foundations, Community leaders.
Introduce new audiences to the mission of SJCS and convert awareness into donor engagement.
Build a robust pipeline of prospective supporters and partners.
Develop and maintain partnerships that provide meaningful in-kind support for SJCS programs (Food donations, Household goods, Furniture, Hygiene supplies, Office supplies, Event items, Seasonal donations).
Maintain accurate donor records in the CRM.
Track donor movement through the fundraising pipeline.
Prepare monthly reports on donor activity, event performance, community engagement, and revenue.
Monitor fundraising metrics and recommend strategies for growth.