Development and External Affairs Associate

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

15 paid holidays per year

Retirement plan (fully funded)

Paid parental leave

Remote work days (select weeks)

Job summary

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Pittsburgh is seeking a Development and External Affairs Associate to provide high-level administrative support for annual fundraising, donor engagement and stewardship, communications, and community relations. The role collaborates across departments, maintains donor records, and helps coordinate events and campaigns to advance the organization’s mission.

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of related experience, with strong writing

Qualifications

• Strong writing, editing, proofreading and communication skills.
• Experience in development, fundraising, or community engagement preferred.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines, both independently and collaboratively.
• Comfort with donor databases, website tools, and social media apps.

Responsibilities

• Support annual giving, major gifts, grants, sponsorships and donor stewardship.
• Maintain donor and prospect records, gift documentation and reports.
• Assist with donor research, tracking, and campaign materials.
• Draft communications to partners and elected officials; coordinate events.
• Monitor fundraising progress and prepare routine reports and dashboards.
• Coordinate logistics for fundraising events, tours and community outreach.

Skills

Writing and editing

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Prioritization and time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Description

At Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, we’re all about solutions. Our heart is to meet people at their point of need to provide immediate relief and most importantly to foster long-term stability.

Description

At Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, we’re all about solutions. Our heart is to meet people at their point of need to provide immediate relief and most importantly to foster long-term stability.

We’re offering an opportunity to an individual who is interested in the field of nonprofit fundraising. The Development and External Affairs Associate will provide a high level of administrative support to the department with the annual fundraising, donor engagement and stewardship, communications, community relations, government affairs and special events that advance the organization’s mission and visibility. Working collaboratively across departments, this position helps maintain strong relationships with donors, volunteers, community partners, elected officials and other stakeholders; produces accurate and compelling communications; and provides administrative and project coordination support for development and external affairs initiatives.

We offer successful candidates a competitive pay rate, strong health benefits (including medical, dental and vision that are available the first of the month following hire date), generous time off programs that includes15 paid holidays a year. We also have a solid retirement plan that is fully funded by Catholic Charities along with other benefits such as Paid Parental Leave.

In addition, the Development and External Affairs Associate is able to work from home on select days of the workweek.

We are proud of our culture at Catholic Charities and to be designated as one of the Best Places to Work in Western Pennsylvania in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 by the Pittsburgh Business Times.

Take a look at the Development and External Affairs Associate description below and let us know if you’re ready to help bring healing and hope to the Pittsburgh region.

Key Performance Objectives

• Support annual giving, major gifts, grants, sponsorships, planned giving, and other fundraising initiatives.
• Help maintain accurate donor and prospect records, gift documentation, acknowledgments, and reports in the organization’s database.
• Assist with donor research, prospect tracking, stewardship activities, appeals, and fundraising campaign materials.
• Support donor acknowledgment letter process as needed.
• Help monitor fundraising progress and prepare routine reports, lists, and dashboards for staff and leadership.
• Assist in the planning and execution of fundraising and stewardship events.
• Assist in the coordination of grant management cycle.
• Draft, edit, and coordinate strategic communications including letters, direct emails, and more to strategic partners and elected officials.
• Track engagement and campaign performance and help identify opportunities to strengthen outreach.
• Represent the organization professionally in communications with donors, partners, vendors, and community members.
• Support the planning and execution of fundraising events, donor gatherings, tours, meetings, and community outreach activities.
• Coordinate event logistics, invitations, registrations, vendors, volunteers, materials, and follow-up communications.
• Assist with sponsorship fulfillment and recognition of donors, partners, and volunteers.
• Help cultivate productive relationships with community organizations and other external stakeholders.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, nonprofit management, public relations, marketing, business, or a related field is required.
• At least one year of experience in development, fundraising, communications, community engagement, events, or a related area is highly desirable. Internship experience applies.
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, interpersonal, and organizational skills are required.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and work both independently and collaboratively is required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and comfort learning donor databases, website tools, and social media applications is required.
• Sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to handle sensitive information confidentially are required.
• Previous experience in a nonprofit, human services, education, healthcare, faith-based, or community-focused organization is preferred.
• ACT 33/34 background clearances are required.