Development Specialist

Capital Region Chamber; City of Albany (NY); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

IPH is seeking a Development Specialist - Corporate, Civic and Religious Giving to grow philanthropic support through fundraising initiatives, donor stewardship, and strategic partnerships. The role acts as an ambassador, cultivating relationships with corporations, faith communities, civic groups, and other supporters to advance IPH’s mission.

Based in Albany, NY, the position leads campaigns, donor engagement, and messaging to meet annual revenue goals.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years in fundraising or related field, nonprofit setting preferred.
• Proven success in building partnerships.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication and public speaking skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement fundraising activities and campaigns to meet annual revenue goals.
• Identify and secure event sponsorships for IPH’s Giving Catalog with growth plans.
• Write compelling proposals and donor requests to secure funding from corporations and organizations.
• Provide messaging, resources, and tools to peer-to-peer fundraisers and donation drives.
• Meet or exceed annual fundraising revenue targets aligned with departmental goals.

Skills

Fundraising

Partnerships

Communication

Public speaking

Organization

Donor relations

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Development Specialist - Corporate, Civic and Religious Giving
Department: Development
Reports To: Development Operations Manager
FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Schedule: Full-Time | Flexible schedule including some evenings and weekends

The Specialist is responsible for growing philanthropic support for IPH through strategic fundraising initiatives, donor stewardship, and partnership development. This role serves as a key ambassador for the organization, cultivating relationships with corporations, civic groups, faith communities, and other supporters to advance IPH’s mission of promoting dignity, empowerment, and stability for individuals and families facing homelessness.

The Specialist leads fundraising campaigns, activities, and outreach efforts that engage institutional donors, strengthen brand loyalty, and generate financial support. Success in this position requires exceptional communication skills, creative problem‑solving, strong project management, and the ability to inspire support across diverse groups.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plan and implement fundraising activities, experiences, presentations and campaigns that advance annual revenue goals.
• Identify and secure event sponsorships for IPH’s Giving Catalog with plans for growth.
• Write compelling proposals and donor requests to secure funding from corporations, and organizations.
• Provide peer‑to‑peer fundraisers and donation drive organizers with messaging, resources, and tools to effectively share IPH’s mission.
• Meet or exceed assigned annual fundraising revenue targets aligned with departmental goals.

Donor Stewardship & Relationship Building

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with local corporations, religious institutions and civic organizations.
• Manage the IPH Holiday Giving Program, coordinating donor‑facing activities and communications.
• Organize donation drives and in‑kind giving campaigns that meet agency needs.
• Steward and retain donors through consistent communication, updates, and recognition.
• Partner with the Director of Donor Experience to craft engaging stories, newsletters, and social media content that highlight community impact.
• Partner with the Chief Development Officer to deepen relationships with major funders through corporate engagement opportunities.
• Represent IPH at meetings, events, and community forums as directed by department leadership to increase organizational visibility, engagement, and support.

Administration

• Track and report engagement metrics, campaign outcomes, and donor activity for leadership review.
• Maintain accurate donor and partnership records in the CRM database, including gift entry.
• Assist with developing quarterly and annual fundraising strategies aligned with departmental and agency goals.
• Assist with signature event coordination logistics.

Qualifications:

Required

• Minimum of 1-3 years of experience in fundraising or related field, preferably in a nonprofit setting.
• Proven success in building partnerships.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and confidence in public speaking.
• Strong organization and project management skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities and project timelines.
• Demonstrated relationship‑building and collaboration skills.
• Self‑motivated, dependable, and adaptable with a positive, mission‑driven attitude.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and general CRM or donor database systems.
• Demonstrated compassion, and commitment to supporting individuals experiencing or facing homelessness.

Preferred:

• Background in corporate sponsorship solicitation.
• Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising strategies and donor engagement pipelines.
• Established familiarity with the Capital Region community.

This position is based at IPH’s administrative office in Albany, NY, with frequent travel to community sites, partner organizations, and event locations. Work may occur in both office and community settings and may require flexibility for evening and weekend hours based on event schedules. The role involves regular interaction with the public, requiring professionalism, adaptability, and strong interpersonal communication. A hybrid work arrangement may be available based on organizational needs, departmental priorities, and employee performance, allowing for a combination of in‑office and remote work.