Development Associate

Job Overview/Summary

We seek to foster a culture of philanthropy within the organization that values our donors. We emphasize the lifetime value of our donors and invest in building long-term relationships. Our donor-centered approach recognizes the needs and priorities of our partners while remaining aligned to our organizational mission and strategic priorities. The Development Associate is responsible for a wide range of development-related activities, with a specific focus on gift processing, day-to-day donor acknowledgment, donor relations, and other tasks as needed. The Associate will coordinate, manage, and innovate donor relations activities for the Development Department. This is a highly collaborative position, requiring a very transparent workflow approach with other members of the department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist Manager, Development Operations with gift administration processes for major donors, corporations, foundations, direct mail, and organizational giving vehicles, including Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), Donor Advised Funds (DAFs), securities, planned gifts, and charitable gift annuities (CGAs), ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely processing.
• Aid in editing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the entire Development Operations team, including sub-units to improve operational efficiency, internal controls, compliance, and consistency across fundraising administration activities.
• Manage the acknowledgment process for all areas of giving to Catholic Charities. Pull donor lists across all giving levels using the Raiser’s Edge and Excel. Review and prepare low-end acknowledgments for the mail house. Review and prepare high-end acknowledgments for in-house mailings. Complete mail merges and present letters for signature to the Executive Office. Maintain an electronic file copy of donor acknowledgment letters and gift documentation from Luminate, Raiser’s Edge, and Lockbox. Regularly review all acknowledgment letter templates and update as needed. Draft and carefully proof donor-related correspondence. Perform a monthly audit to ensure all gifts have been acknowledged. Provide additional back-up to colleagues, as requested.
• Prepare personalized donor-related activities and special communications. Coordinate the mailing of print collateral, welcome packets, and other donor-related materials. Assist with answering donor inquiries via phone or general email box in a timely manner. Help direct calls and questions to the appropriate department. Assist with special projects, as assigned.

Skills, Licenses, and/or Competencies Required

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge, RENXT, Luminate, or other CRM platforms, a plus.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills: possess the ability to communicate and liaise effectively with colleagues and vendors and works well within a team environment.
• Solid organizational skills: the ability to work productively in a fast-paced, detail-oriented, and collaborative environment and the ability to independently manage a multi-faceted workload and meet strict deadlines.
• Accuracy and attention to detail are a must; sensitivity when working with highly confidential information and the ability to maintain complete discretion at all times.
• Ability to identify areas to increase the efficiency of our systems.
• Proven ability to plan and manage a variety of projects and high work volume: must work well under pressure, prioritize, show flexibility, and solve problems creatively.
• Team-oriented thinker and development strategist able to effectively respond to both simple and complex gift scenarios confidently and with excellent donor relations.
• Genuine interest in the mission of Catholic Charities of New York and ability to participate in agency/community events.

Qualifications, Education, and/or Experience Required

• B.A. degree, with at least (3) years of work experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Previous development/advancement experience within a large institutional environment is a plus.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are generally 9AM to 5PM. Monday - Friday. Additional night and weekend hours will be required to meet deadlines and attend events, as needed. Newly hired employees are required to work in office five (5) days per week during their first ninety (90) days of employment. After the initial ninety (90) days employees become eligible for hybrid work schedule, with a minimum requirement of three (3) days per week in the office in accordance with the agency’s Hybrid Work Policy. Additional hours may be required as needed to meet department and agency deadlines.

About Catholic Charities

Chartered in 1917 to coordinate Catholic relief efforts across New York, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York and Catholic Charities Community Services today form one of the region's largest faith-based human services networks, serving people of all faiths and backgrounds. Together, the two agencies employ approximately 800 staff across more than 45 program sites in ten counties spanning New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley. Our programs span youth development and family support; behavioral health, housing, and recovery services along a full continuum of care; food access, eviction prevention, and household stabilization; legal services, resettlement, ESOL instruction, and workforce training for immigrants and refugees; and case management, workforce pathways, and housing support through community-based neighborhood centers. Every year, Catholic Charities serves tens of thousands of New Yorkers facing hardship, promoting dignity, stability, and opportunity through community-based programs. We are building an HR and People and Culture function that reflects the same standard of care we extend to those we serve, and this role is central to that work.

About Us

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York and Catholic Charities Community Services are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.