Development Assistant

Job description

DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT

Northern Star Scouting offers an exciting opportunity to join our Development Team as a Development Assistant.

In this role, you will provide executive project support to the Director of Development, assist with the execution of major fundraising campaigns, manage aspects of our eTapestry donor database, accumulate and prepare statistical information to support grant proposals, and draft donor acknowledgement and thank you letters.

Working as part of a fast-paced and energetic team, you'll have an important role contributing to the achievement of Northern Star Scouting's vision -- that all youth have the character, confidence and experience to improve the world!

This is a full-time, non-exempt position operating out of our Base Camp facility at Fort Snelling, MN.

The annual compensation range for this position is $42,188 - $60,775, with most newly-hired employees starting at an annual salary of $45,000.

Generous benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid life insurance, short and long-term disability, and a retirement plan with employer match.

We offer paid time off (equivalent to 16 days annually for new hires) and 11 paid annual holidays.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Executive Support: Provide executive project support to the Director of Development, including handling  details for a smoother operation of the Director's administrative responsibilities, maintaining calendars, scheduling appointments, recording meeting notes, preparing reports/memos/presentations, anticipating needs for scheduled appointments/projects and maintaining confidentiality and discretion.
• Database Management: Manage aspects of our eTapestry online donor database (currently over 155,000 accounts), including managing the operation of the system, all campaigns and structure; acting as a liaison with outside eTapestry software vendor; and training all staff and volunteers in the use of the software. Manage the integration of the new Eagle Scout membership data into eTapestry.
• Make Your Mark Estate Gifts Campaign and Next 20 Initiative: Support the Major Gifts Director and Director of Development by providing administrative support for planned giving, endowment and major gift donor cultivation visits, solicitations, and stewardship efforts.
  
  Prepare correspondence, draft letters, handle phone calls, create communication materials to send to donors/volunteers, schedule meetings, pull reports, prepare proposals utilizing strong writing, proofreading, and editing skills.
  
  Track proposals, response and reporting.
  
  Send thank you letters.
  
  Track calendar items related to Make Your Mark campaign and Next 20 Initiative for the department.
• Statistical Information: Standardize the accumulation and preparation of statistical information used in foundation/corporate proposals, United Way proposals, and other documents (such as fact sheets, fast facts, etc.) used by Scouting staff.
• Prospect Research/Data Mining: Identify, clear, and research new prospects for all campaigns.
  
  Perform in-depth data mining in these areas including, but not limited to department's data mining plan; Blue Chip forms; top ten employers within each district including top corporate officers, employees, and the company itself; top ten donors; youth and adult membership applications and wealth screening.
• Gift Verification and Donor Communication: Ensure all data for pledges and payments are recorded in the database system for assigned areas and all other areas not covered by other support staff, including stock gifts, etc., and documentation is filed appropriately.
  
  Verify and ensure pledges and payments are entered in accordance with the donors expressed or implied wishes.
  
  Prepare appropriate gift thank-you letters/postcards/receipts according to predetermined schedules, receipts and acknowledgments as required by the IRS or the state revenue department.
  
  Ensure financial records relating to donations are available upon request by donors, staff, and auditors.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide team support for event and other areas, including input and assistance to Development staff, related staff, and volunteers in the planning, coordination and implementation of the council's fundraising campaigns and events.
• Manage aspects of the gift-in-kind process, including updating new projects and modifying the database structure and management process.
• Make sure all address changes in the Flagpole address change database are reviewed and marked in eTapestry.
• Uphold company policies and present a positive and professional attitude and image at work and while representing the organization at official functions away from the office.
• Carry out all additional responsibilities as assigned from time to time by the Director of Development including support of special events.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education and experience: Minimum of a four-year Bachelor's degree.
  
  Knowledge of general accounting practices and 2 years' experience in development (3+ years' preferred).
  
  Knowledge of Scouting is helpful but not required.
  
  Must be willing to learn about Scouting and fundraising activities in order to answer questions from callers.
  
  Must have numeric aptitude and be detail-oriented, good knowledge of statistics, accurate, and willing to take initiative.
• Executive Support: Must have minimum of 3-5 years of executive support & experience working with Director level leaders.
• Software: Must have working knowledge of computers (Windows, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint). Three- plus years of experience with donor databases (or similar programs), including in-depth database construction, knowledge, and management of all aspects of databases.
  
  High level knowledge of Excel.
  
  Will be trained in eTapestry and My.Scouting.
  
  Utilizes computer software to construct, manipulate data and draw conclusions.
  
  Intermediate keyboarding skills are needed, with an emphasis on accuracy and a speed of at least 50 words per minute.
• Interpersonal skills: Must be able to work independently as well as cooperatively and demonstrate a positive attitude. Must enjoy working with people and be an active team player. Effective interpersonal communications and customer service skills are needed to work with co-workers and volunteers.

Join us and Make a Difference in the Lives of Youth in Our Communities!

Northern Star Scouting is an Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly Employer

Required Skill Profession

Other Management Occupations