Development Associate

Svdphouston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a passionate team at a grassroots, volunteer-based organization dedicated to serving the Greater Houston area. As a Development Associate, you'll play a crucial role in driving fundraising success, cultivating donor relationships, and executing strategic initiatives. This position offers the opportunity to make a significant impact in the community while working collaboratively with a dedicated team. If you have a strong background in fundraising and a passion for service, this is the perfect opportunity to contribute to meaningful change.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of fundraising experience and project/event management.
• Bachelor's degree preferred but relevant experience is considered.

Responsibilities

• Drive fundraising success through donor relationships and strategic activities.
• Manage direct mail lists and track appeal success for improved performance.

Skills

Fundraising

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Time Management

Bilingual (Spanish and English)

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in related field

Relevant fundraising experience

Tools

Constant Contact

Donor Software

Social Media Platforms (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram)

Job description

Job Title: Development Associate
Department: Development
Reports to: Director of Development
FLSA Status/Exemption: Non-exempt

Job Type: Full-time

Mission of the Position:
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (SVdP), is a grassroots, volunteer-based, direct-aid organization that brings together men and women to grow in their spirituality through service of others. We have been serving the Greater Houston area since 1871. We are part of a national organization and linked by the common mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

As a pivotal member of the Development Department, the Development Associate will drive fundraising success through cultivating donor relationships, meeting established fundraising goals, and implementing strategic activities. This role provides essential support to the Development Director, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and enhancing the department's overall impact. This role requires good communication, organizational skills, time management skills, and adherence to confidentiality standards while aligning with the mission and policies of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Fundraising Success:
1. Consistently meet or exceed fundraising goals set by the Development Director, contributing to revenue targets.
2. Support the execution of the Development Fund plan, contributing innovative ideas to achieve departmental objectives.
3. Provide direct fundraising support to the Development Director, assisting with strategy development, donor engagement, and execution of key activities.

Donor Relations:
4. Build lasting relationships with donors by reaching out to 5–15 donors daily (10 AM–12 PM and 2 PM–4 PM) using a documented script as needed. Prioritize prompt communication with first-time donors to foster engagement.
5. Send personalized, handwritten thank-you letters within 24–48 hours of receiving donations to strengthen donor connections and cultivate long-term relationships.
6. Engage donors meaningfully by learning their stories and showcasing the Society’s work and impact on the community, enhancing the donor lifecycle.

Direct Mail and Appeals:
7. Manage the direct mail solicitation list, ensuring it is accurate, targeted, and optimized for outreach.
8. Track and help evaluate the success of appeals, analyzing key metrics and providing actionable insights to improve campaign performance.

Content and Collaboration:
9. Create and schedule social media posts to engage and inspire audiences (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram).
10. Create, plan, and schedule email campaigns and communication activities in Constant Contact.
11. Monitor campaign performance and assist in refining activities to maximize efficiency.
12. Collaborate on content design for donor materials, ensuring strict adherence to production deadlines.
13. Maintain and update the organization’s website, ensuring content remains modern and relevant.

Documentation and Reporting:
14. Document all donor interactions, gift entries, calls, and emails, using donor software with proficiency and adherence to standard operating procedures.
15. Track and report monthly marketing activities and provide quarterly KPIs to ensure transparency.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Compliance and Confidentiality:

16. Adhere to the regulations, policies, and ethical standards of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, maintaining strict confidentiality regarding all donors, employees, and volunteers' information.

Event and Activity Support:

17. Assist with special events, annual appeals, and donor stewardship activities, ensuring seamless execution and exceptional outcomes.
18. Perform additional duties assigned to support the Development Department and organizational goals.

Core Values:
One Society - I contribute to the success of our Vincentian work when I support One Society.

• Mission Driven: I align my daily actions focused on our mission to bring together men and women to grow together in spirituality through person-to-person service.
• Community Driven: I am focused on the needs of our community and will provide excellent customer service to ensure that our community is satisfied with our products and services.
• Servant Leadership: I strive to serve others with dignity, empathy, and a loving heart.
• Embrace Lean: I work smart and safe, maximizing productivity by using resources efficiently and focusing on continuous improvement.
• Let’s Talk: I seek, listen, and share to foster an open and honest exchange.
• Act Now: I Act Now to See It, Own It, Solve It, Do It.

COMPETENCIES

Education:

• Relevant fundraising experience in lieu of an associate's and bachelor’s degree is strongly considered.
• Bachelor’s Degree in related field, preferred.

Certifications/Licenses:
N/A

Experience:

• Five (5)+ years of fundraising experience, social media, and/or project/event management.
• Bilingual, Spanish and English, preferred.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocese of Galveston - Houston