Development Associate

The Development Associate provides day-to-day support for fundraising events, donor stewardship, and development operations. This position serves as an important member of The Wildcat Sanctuary's development team, coordinating donor events and experiences, managing in-kind giving and volunteers, supporting fundraising campaigns, and ensuring exceptional service for our supporters.

The Wildcat Sanctuary’s mission is to provide a natural sanctuary to wild cats in need and inspire change to end the captive wildlife crisis. We are a leading, accredited, non-profit sanctuary internationally recognized for our work. Our marketing and development efforts reach over 5.45 million people around the world and raise $3.6 million annually to support the 150+ wildcats we care for. We partner with the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service USDA Confiscations Network to save illegally trafficked wild cats.

The Wildcat Sanctuary is nestled between the beautiful lakes, fields, and forests in rural Sandstone, Minnesota, conveniently located between Duluth and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Responsibilities

• Donor Events and Experiences (35%)
  • Plan and coordinate events and experiences including:
    • Annual VIP Experience event
    • Annual Summer Safari event
    • Rescue Retreat donor stays
    • Donor tours
    • Media visits
  • Responsibilities include:
    • Event communications
    • RSVP management
    • Event timelines
    • Vendor coordination
    • Hotel and transportation logistics
    • Volunteer coordination
    • Event materials preparation
    • Auction planning and execution
    • Event setup and execution
    • Post-event follow-up needs
    • Rescue Retreat cleaning and preparation
• Development Operations (30%)
  • Assist with data entry
  • Update donor records in CRM
  • Assist with fundraising campaigns
  • Communicate with donors in sponsorship program
  • Serve as backup for Donor Services Associate
• Volunteer Coordination (20%)
  • Schedule volunteer assignments
  • Train volunteers on projects
  • Maintain consistent volunteer communication
• In-Kind Giving and Auction Items (10%)
  • Build relationships with individuals and businesses donating goods and services
  • Track in-kind donations and auction items for acknowledgment and reporting
  • Manage collection and organization of in-kind goods and auction items
• Other duties as assigned (~5%)

Requirements

• 2+ years of nonprofit fundraising and event planning experience
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication abilities, including strong writing skills
• High attention to detail
• Comfortable learning donor database software
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Drive
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining excellent customer service
• Passion for wildlife conservation and animal welfare

Additional Expectations

• Typical schedule is Monday-Friday, with flexibility required as needed
• Adhere to sanctuary policies, procedures, and values
• Must be results-oriented, self-reflective, and take responsibility for actions
• Must be able to handle the physical and emotional aspects of work in a sanctuary and have a high level of resiliency
• Reliable transportation to our rural location in all four seasons is required
• Willingness to accommodate TWS dogs and domestic cats in the workplace

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, including event setup and breakdown, moving and arranging tables, chairs, coolers, and other event equipment, as well as transporting donations and catering supplies
• This role requires standing and walking for extended periods and the ability to lift, carry, push, pull, bend, reach, and perform other physical tasks as needed
• Must be able to safely lift and carry packages weighing up to 30 pounds
• This position also requires working outdoors on occasion in varying Minnesota weather conditions, including heat and humidity
• All employees support organizational needs, including cleaning and maintaining our offices and common spaces, including taking out garbage and recycling, dusting, and sweeping or vacuuming floors, and assisting with other cleaning tasks as needed

Pay

$21 - $23/hr

Benefits

• IRA contribution up to 3% match
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Minnesota Paid Leave
• Short-term disability
• Life insurance
• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• At-cost veterinary care in our on-site hospital
• Family and friends tours

Schedule

Full-time, on-site position. Regular work week is Monday-Friday. Some evenings and weekends are required for campaigns and events.