Development Associate (Holiday Campaigns)

The Salvation Army USA Western Territory; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army USA Western Territory is seeking a Development Associate to oversee donor communications, campaigns, and fundraising initiatives in Sacramento. This role ensures quality and timely delivery of all development activities, working closely with various internal teams to enhance donor experiences.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and 2-3 years of related experience in project support and communications. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and strong organizational skills are essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of experience in administration or development support.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize work effectively.
• Proficiency in office computing systems.

Responsibilities

• Draft and proofread donor communications.
• Support development campaigns and donor outreach.
• Maintain accurate donor records in CRM.

Skills

Project coordination

Communication

Data management

Microsoft Office

Social media management

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Adobe Acrobat

WordPress

Job description

About the Role

Serving as the operational hub of the department, the Development Associate ensures timely delivery of donor communications, campaigns, and projects while maintaining consistency, quality, and alignment across all development activities. This position strengthens the donor experience and improves fundraising effectiveness through reliable follow‑through on departmental priorities. The Development Associate executes and coordinates key operational functions within the Development Department, with a primary focus on supporting and expanding fundraising initiatives across the Division. This role works closely with the Donor Relations Director, Planned Giving Directors, Annual Giving Team, Corporate partners, Volunteers, PR and Marketing, and Events teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Draft, edit, and proofread donor‑facing communications, including emails, updates, and basic collateral
2. Support development, communication calendars and scheduling of donor outreach
3. Coordinate production of communication materials with internal staff or external vendors
4. Ensure consistency with Salvation Army messaging and communication standards
5. Assist in coordinating development campaigns, mailings, and departmental projects
6. Maintain project timelines, task trackers, and follow‑up schedules
7. Support preparation of reports, proposals, and donor materials –
8. Ensure deliverables are completed on time and communicated effectively
9. Maintain accurate donor and constituent records in the CRM/database
10. Assist with acknowledgment tracking, data updates, and list preparation
11. Perform basic data quality checks and support reporting needs
12. Support segmentation and preparation of mailing and communication lists
13. Assist with planning and coordination of donor events and development activities
14. Support event logistics, including materials, lists, and follow‑up communications
15. Provide general development support, including meeting coordination and documentation
16. Works closely in supporting key staff such as the Donor Relations Director, Planned Giving Directors, Annual Giving Team. And assisting with PR, Marketing, and Events.

Seasonal Christmas Campaigns Responsibilities

1. Track list of potential kettle sites in each corps area (including kettle sites that had been used in the past).
2. Develop program of thanks for kettle sites, Kettle Club, Red Kettle and year round cultivation and engagement.
3. Holiday Tool Kit
4. Coordinate with Development and online team for each section, Volunteers, Kettles, PR, Online, Corporate Relations, Advisory Organizations.
5. Work with online team to keep online tool kit updafed.
6. Include action plans for volunteers and kettles and send monthly reminders to the field.
7. Organize the Christmas Orientation for corps officers and their employees. Put together schedule, topics, and assigned speakers.
8. Collaborate with Volunteer Coordinator for volunteer recruitment
9. Disburse information to the field. Keep officers and kettle coordinators updated on all National and Territorial agreements during the Christmas season.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Eligibility Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in administration, project coordination, communications, or development support
• Ability to prioritize work and multitask simultaneous projects.
• Proficiency in working with basic office computing systems and equipment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Publisher, Excel, Access, WordPress, social media platforms, and Adobe Acrobat
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations

• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver license and ability to drive a Salvation Army vehicle.
• Must be 21 years or older.
• Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check to include a DOJ livescan Fingerprint check.
• Complete The Salvation Army vehicle course training.

Physical Requirements

1. Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis
2. Ability to grasp, push, and/or pull objects
3. Ability to reach overhead
4. Ability to operate telephone
5. Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. for administrative positions
6. Ability to operate a computer
7. Ability to process written, visual, and/or verbal information
8. Ability to operate basic office equipment and tools PC, Fax Machine, Telephone, Calculator, Copier, Printer.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed would not result in undue hardship.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.