Development Associate, Major Donor Relations

Brennan Center for Justice; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health insurance

401(k) plan

Generous time off program

Job summary

The Brennan Center for Justice seeks a Development Associate for the Major Donor Relations team. You will help manage correspondence and support fundraising efforts, crucial for raising over $35M annually.

This role requires excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in CRM software. The office is located in New York City, and you will work on-site four days a week, with flexibility for events.

Join us in making democracy and justice accessible for all.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1-2 years of relevant post-undergraduate work experience.
• Experience with fundraising is a plus.
• Proficient in CRM tools such as Salesforce or Raisers Edge.

Responsibilities

• Manage donor correspondence with attention to detail.
• Support fundraisers in donor cultivation and stewardship.
• Conduct donor and prospect research.
• Use Salesforce for managing logistics of outreach campaigns.

Skills

Highly organized

Excellent written communication

Attention to detail

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Salesforce

Asana

Job description

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. The Brennan Center’s work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving constitutional protections in national security policies. Part think tank, part advocacy group, part cutting‑edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them — in Congress and the states, in the courts, and in the court of public opinion.

The Development team is responsible for raising revenues needed for the Brennan Center to operate and remain sustainable into the future. It is comprised of three portfolios: Major Donor Relations, Institutional Relations, and Direct Response & Donor Services. The Brennan Center entirely relies on donations; it receives no funding from NYU or the government.

Position Overview

We seek a Development Associate to join the Major Donor Relations team, a vital part of our 20‑person Development department. This industrious, organized, and collaborative individual will support the major individual giving program, which raises $35-40M+ annually from individuals and families contributing five‑, six‑, seven‑, and eight‑figure gifts to the Brennan Center annually.

Note

This position is in‑office 4 days/week (Monday through Thursday) and is based at our headquarters in New York City. This role may occasionally require in‑person work on Fridays and supporting early morning, evening, or weekend events.

Responsibilities

• Manage organization of Major Donor Relations team’s weekly flow of donor correspondence, proofreading final products with assiduous attention to detail
• Support team of frontline fundraisers in the full scope of donor cultivation and stewardship practices, including but not limited to producing and editing written materials and preparing for virtual and in‑person meetings
• Prepare mailing lists, event invitation lists, donor research profiles, and other regular needs across the Major Donor Relations portfolio
• Support daily, weekly, and ad hoc major gift processing tasks, including cleanup, coding, issuing acknowledgments, and maintaining accurate donor records
• Conduct donor and prospect research, strategically issue‑spotting and effectively communicating results to front‑line fundraisers and program leaders
• In conjunction with the above, help to implement a systematic individual donor research program for the department, in close collaboration with the Development Associate focused on mid‑level giving
• Support the preparation for and production of both live and virtual donor events and briefings
• Use Salesforce to manage logistics for large outreach campaigns, create and update contact lists, and ensure integrity of donor and prospect information
• Coordinate meetings with donors and internal staff and delegate tasks to seasonal Development interns as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum 1-2 years of post‑undergraduate, full‑time work experience required, preferably at a mission‑driven organization; fundraising experience is a plus but not required
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Sound judgment and discretion with confidential and sensitive information
• Proactive self‑starter who works independently, problem‑solves, and anticipates issues
• Energetic team player who responds productively to direction and feedback and seeks opportunities for growth and learning
• Ability to multitask and thrive in a fast‑paced, unpredictable environment
• Maturity, professionalism, and emotional intelligence to work effectively with staff, donors, external contacts, and leadership at all levels
• Flexibility to work overtime as needed to meet deadlines or urgent priorities
• Proficiency with office systems and databases, including but not limited to CRMs (experience with programs such as Salesforce or Raisers Edge preferred); Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook), and project management tools (Asana)
• Genuine commitment to the Brennan Center’s mission and organizational core values

We are committed to considering a wide range of candidates, including those with diverse experiences and backgrounds. Whether you are new to the nonprofit law and policy sector, returning to work after a gap in employment, looking to make a career transition, or seeking to advance your professional path, we welcome your application.

If you’re uncertain about meeting 100 percent of our qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. In your cover letter, please describe your interest in the position and what you hope to contribute to the role.

Application Instructions

To apply, visit the application link. Please upload the following documents:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Contact information for three supervisor references

Applications without all the listed materials will not be considered.

Please note: no phone calls or faxes; it is strongly preferred that you apply on our website. If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by email to [email protected] with "Development Associate, Major Donor Relations" in the subject line, after registering in the online system.

Compensation and Benefits

The Brennan Center is a fantastic workplace. We offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package that is regularly assessed based on workplace trends and employee feedback.

The salary range assigned to this position is $65,000 – $70,000. We determine our salary ranges based on market competitiveness and internal equity for each job. However, the ultimate salary offered to a selected candidate will be contingent upon the candidate’s qualifications and internal equity considerations. Additionally, we offer a generous time off program, 401(k) plan, comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), and wellness and office perks.

In addition, this position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW local 2320.

The Brennan Center for Justice is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic identity, sexual orientation, national origin, previous incarceration, disability, military veteran/status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. To this end, we welcome all qualified applicants to apply.