Associate (GFD)

GreenLight Fund; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Job summary

GreenLight Fund Detroit is seeking an Associate to lead and support activities spanning event management, fundraising, research, and operations. You will report to the Executive Director and collaborate across the national network to advance equity and opportunity for Detroit residents.

You will build relationships with donors, manage intern teams, and help shape engagement strategies while ensuring strong administrative processes and data integrity across platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in administration, operations, or fundraising.
• 2–3 years in administration, event management, operations, or fundraising.
• Deep commitment to understanding issues faced by residents in low‑income urban communities, including equity.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of annual fundraiser to highlight a new portfolio organization.
• Support donor outreach, stewardship, and engagement across channels.
• Conduct prospect research on potential individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Maintain Salesforce, Apricot, Excel, and Google Sheets databases and reports.
• Prepare agenda and materials for advisory council meetings.
• Coordinate scheduling, note-taking, and follow-up from meetings and site visits.

Skills

Event management

Fundraising

Grant writing

Research

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

Apricot

Microsoft Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

Organizational Overview: Greenlight Fund

GreenLight Fund combats inequality by reducing the barriers of economic mobility for low-income children and families in urban areas. Launched in 2016, GreenLight Fund Detroit is one of eight cities among the growing, national 501(c)(3) GreenLight Fund network whose portfolio organizations collectively reach 75,000 individuals annually.

After raising a 4-5 year philanthropic fund, GreenLight Fund Detroit runs an annual process to: identify urgent needs and critical service gaps for low-income children and families; collectively choose and invest in replicating an innovative, high-performing national organization with significant, proven social impact; and galvanize local support across sectors to achieve and sustain positive outcomes. Two Detroit advisory councils composed of residents as well as community, industry, entrepreneurial, and philanthropic leaders provide guidance and support.

We seek an independent, organized, and social justice focused Associate who has a passion for serving children and families in Detroit. Must thrive in a fast-paced entrepreneurial culture, love internal operations, and communicate superbly. The ideal candidate values equity and opportunity for all, continuous process improvement, attention to detail, and working on complex issues across sectors.

The Associate will lead and support a diverse array of activities, ranging from event management and strategic communications to researching local issues and due diligence on prospective portfolio organizations. This position will report to the Executive Director of GreenLight Fund Detroit, and work collaboratively across the GreenLight Fund national network of sites.

Responsibilities Include:

Communications and Fundraising

• Lead planning and execution of annual fundraiser to highlight a new portfolio organization
• Build strong relationships with vendors, consultants, designers, media creators, and volunteers
• Support all areas of stakeholder outreach, donor cultivation, stewardship, and engagement
• Conduct prospect research on potential individuals, corporations, and foundations
• Create, maintain, and disseminate communications across channels (Twitter, Mailchimp, etc.)
• Write grant proposals, progress reports, and letters for support
• Pursue external awareness opportunities utilizing multiple platforms and mediums

Research and Due Diligence

• Research current, relevant Detroit issues and priorities among low-income families
• Perform local landscape analysis including primary and secondary research and data evaluation
• Conduct due diligence on prospective 501(c)(3) portfolio organizations, including financial analysis, performance appraisals, and outcome measurements
• Use human-centered design to build authentic, participatory grant-making processes
• Record, synthesize, edit, and produce reports and briefs based on analysis

Operations and Administration

• Run local office operations including managing interns, internal processes, and budgets
• Prepare agenda and presentation materials for advisory council meetings
• Assist with scheduling, note-taking, and follow-up from meetings and site visits
• Maintain Salesforce, Apricot, Microsoft Excel, and Google Sheets databases and reports
• Work across national sites to identify effective internal practices to implement locally

Culture and More

• Actively demonstrate a commitment to supporting justice, equity, and inclusion
• Travel to national meetings and site visits across the nation as a representative of Detroit
• Share additional talents and input for continuous personal and organizational improvement
• Bring creativity and joy to the team as well as passion to invest in change for Detroiters

Qualifications include

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred, as well as 2-3 years of experience in administration, event management, operations, or fundraising
• Deep commitment to understanding issues faced by residents in low-income, urban communities, including how power and racism affect inequity
• Excellent organizational, project management, writing, and research skills are mandatory

Location: Detroit, MI

Additional

This is a full-time, permanent position based in Detroit, Michigan. A compensation package including competitive salary and full health and retirement benefits are available. People of color, social/economic justice warriors, and Detroit residents are encouraged to apply.

GreenLight Fund values building a diverse and equitable workforce while creating an inclusive work environment. GreenLight Fund is proud to be an equal opportunity employer regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental ability, race, religion, region, sexual orientation or veteran status.

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