Development Assistant

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Cleveland; Cleveland (OH); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Cleveland is seeking a part-time Development Assistant to support fundraising activities, donor communications, database management, and event logistics. The role focuses on stewardship, capital campaigns, and coordinating with committees and staff to ensure timely, accurate development work.

The position emphasizes attention to detail, strong communication, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a faith-based philanthropic setting.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of fundraising processes, donor engagement strategies, and stewardship best practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with databases and administrative platforms; comfort with data entry and reporting.
• Excellent attention to detail; proofreading and editing skills a plus.
• Familiarity with administrative budgets, data and tracking systems, and reporting protocols.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Initiative, problem-solving ability, and reliable follow-through.
• Familiarity with fundraising in a faith community involving lay leadership is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support and strengthen relationships with Trinity donor community through communications and events.
• Coordinate development events and donor gatherings, assisting with logistics and follow-up.
• Ensure timely donor acknowledgements and stewardship communications.
• Support committees with agendas, minutes and follow-up on action items.
• Maintain deadlines and fundraising project goals; track progress and communicate timelines.
• Maintain donor database entries and ensure records align with cathedral procedures.
• Prepare donor lists for annual reports and publications.
• Track and report fundraising results as needed.
• Support additional development-related tasks as assigned.

Skills

Donor engagement

Relationship management

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Organization

Tools

Donor database software

Reporting tools

Job description

Position Description:

Trinity Cathedral seeks an organized, detail-oriented, and relational individual for the part-time position of Development Assistant. This position provides administrative and project support for Trinity’s fundraising activities, including stewardship and capital campaign efforts. The Development Assistant supports donor communications and acknowledgements, database entry and reporting, committee coordination, and event logistics, helping to ensure that Trinity’s development work is accurate, timely, and well-supported.

Primary Responsibilities:

Support and strengthen relationships with Trinity donor community

• Engage and celebrate donors through communications, events, and relationship cultivation
• Implement ongoing planned giving communications and initiatives
• Coordinate development events and donor gatherings, assisting with logistics, volunteer coordination, and donor follow-up

Donor acknowledgement processing and communications

• Ensure timely and accurate donor acknowledgements and stewardship communications
• Coordinate donor stewardship efforts including notes, calls, memorial/tribute acknowledgements, and milestone recognition
• Support the development of a seamless and satisfying donor experience through consistent follow-through

Support stewardship and capital campaign committees

• Prepare meeting agendas, minutes, and supporting materials for committees
• Assist in follow-up on critical action items and campaign tasks to help keep work well-paced and goal-oriented
• Contribute to a productive environment, supporting volunteer leadership with discretion, diplomacy, and confidentiality

Provide administrative leadership for fundraising initiatives

• Maintain and update a calendar of deadlines and fundraising project goals
• Track progress on key development projects and communicate timelines to staff and committees
• Provide general administrative support for stewardship and campaign work,

Database management, reporting, and recordkeeping

• Maintain donor database entries, records, and encounter reports
• Coordinate with administrative, financial, and pastoral staff to ensure records and reporting align with cathedral procedures
• Prepare donor lists for annual report and other publications
• Track and report fundraising results as needed
• Ensure that donor information is handled confidentially and professionally

Other duties, as required

• Support additional development-related tasks as assigned

Reporting

The Development Assistant reports to the Dean of Trinity Cathedral and works collaboratively with Trinity staff, clergy, and volunteer leadership, particularly those supporting stewardship and capital campaign efforts.

Education, Skills and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of fundraising processes, donor engagement strategies, and stewardship best practices
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with databases and administrative platforms; comfort with data entry and reporting
• Excellent attention to detail; proofreading and editing skills a plus
• Familiarity with administrative budgets, data and tracking systems, and reporting protocols
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities
• Initiative, problem-solving ability, and reliable follow-through
• Familiarity with fundraising in a faith community involving lay leadership is preferred

Schedule and Requirements

This is a part-time, non-exempt position, typically 15–20 hours per week. The position requires the ability to attend meetings and events at the cathedral, in the community, and occasionally in congregational homes. The schedule may include evenings, weekends, and holidays depending on the season and event calendar.