Development Associate, Individual Giving

Liberty Seeds; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid leave

Medical and dental coverage

Retirement plan 403(b)

Tuition assistance

Life and disability insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a Development Associate for Individual Giving to work in person in Washington, DC. The role supports donor communications, database management, and strategic fundraising projects under the Senior Manager of Individual Giving.

The position is full-time, in-office, with travel once or twice per quarter for donor engagements. A strong writing ability and teamwork are essential to success.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree is required.
• 2–4+ years of applicable full-time fundraising experience.
• Independent decision-making skills, judgment, initiative, and ownership.
• Ability to independently manage projects with multiple deadlines and stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication across teams.
• Understanding AEI's work and scholars.
• Proficiency in Salesforce and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work with minimal guidance.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain donor and prospect records in Salesforce.
• Record interactions of AEI staff and scholars with donors in Salesforce.
• Keep records of gifts, pledges, proposals, and related activities up-to-date.
• Develop, pull, and manage Salesforce reports, lists, and queries.
• Draft individualized and mass donor communications.
• Support moves-management and donor materials.

Skills

Independent decision-making

Project management

Communication

Writing

Organization

Problem solving

Team collaboration

AEI knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Job description

Development Associate, Individual Giving

In Person

Washington, DC

LIBERTY SEEDS

Washington, DC · Posted October 1, 2026

Development Associate, Individual Giving

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is a public policy think tank dedicated to defending human dignity, expanding human potential, and building a freer and safer world. The work of our scholars and staff advances ideas rooted in our belief in democracy, free enterprise, American strength and global leadership, solidarity with those at the periphery of our society, and a pluralistic, entrepreneurial culture.

About the Role

AEI seeks a hardworking, creative, detail-oriented, and highly organized individual to work in person with a talented team of fundraising professionals to cultivate donor relationships, share scholars' work with supporters, and manage crucial database projects to strengthen AEI's strategic outreach.

The person in this position supports the individual giving team through database management, strategic database projects, relationship building with prospects, and more advanced projects and operations. Key responsibilities include supporting donor communications and database management, reporting and tracking data, and helping formulate and implement development strategies.

This role offers a great opportunity for anyone interested in expanding on their passion for nonprofit fundraising in conjunction with public policy. The ideal candidate must be able to collaborate on a team, possess strong writing skills, and be able to work under pressure in a fast-paced work environment. The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as possible.

This Development Associate is expected to travel once or twice per quarter for donor trips and engagement opportunities.

This role reports to the Senior Manager, Individual Giving and is a full-time, in-office position based in AEI's Washington, DC, office.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain donor and prospect records in Salesforce, ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of constituent data.


• Record interactions of AEI staff and scholars with donors and prospective donors in Salesforce.


• Ensure that records of donor gifts, pledges, proposals, and other fundraising activities are up-to-date.


• Develop, pull, and manage complex Salesforce reports, lists, and queries to support fundraising initiatives and strategic projects.

Communication and Relationship Management

• Apply donor strategy to draft and refine individualized and mass communications.


• Support the organization's moves-management program by researching prospective donors, updating proposals, preparing donor materials, and drafting correspondence.


• Identify, research, and cultivate relationships with existing and prospective donors, exercising sound judgment while collaborating with supervisors and gift officers.


• Edit, review, and prepare proposals, briefings, and other fundraising materials.


• Assist in identifying funding opportunities and contribute to proposal development for prospective donors.

Projects and Operations

• Process, code, and record daily gifts, pledges, and related donor transactions, ensuring timely, accurate entry and appropriate fund designation.


• Develop and execute strategic database initiatives, moves-management activities, and other complex fundraising operations.


• Regularly staff fundraising events in a support role, assisting with donor engagement and event logistics.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions at AEI

• The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close-up vision for computer work.


• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.


• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.


• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phones, printers, and light traffic) is expected.


• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree (required)


• 2-4+ years of previous applicable full-time work experience, preferably in fundraising


• Independent decision-making skills, judgment, initiative, and ownership


• The capability to independently manage projects with multiple deadlines and stakeholders


• The ability to communicate clearly and thoughtfully across teams, with peers, and when managing up


• A demonstrated and detailed understanding of AEI's work and scholars


• The ability to apply logic, reasoning, and context clues to solve problems and provide alternative solutions


• The ability to communicate effectively and accurately, in writing and orally


• The ability to perform duties with minimal guidance from supervisors, particularly on task prioritization, quality control, and organization


• Proficiency in database administration (especially with Salesforce), Microsoft Office Suite, and related software

Benefits

• 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and three personal days or floating holidays)


• 12 days of paid sick leave


• paid family leave


• medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account


• medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts


• a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200


• life and disability insurance at no cost to employees


• 403(b) retirement plan with a contribution from AEI


• among other benefits

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including the position's scope and responsibilities, a candidate's applicable full-time work experience, key skills and qualifications, and internal and external market considerations. The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $58,000-$65,000. Salary is just one component of AEI's total compensation package for employees.