PRIMARY JOB FUNCTION

The Development Assistant will assume an administrative and supporting role in the development department, consisting of a Director of Philanthropy, Development Operations Manager, Annual Giving Manager, and the President/CEO. This role consists mainly of behind-the-computer, repetitive tasks that require a willingness to learn manager-taught standard operating procedures as well as self-guided, database-enhancing lessons and training. The Development Assistant will work collaboratively with department staff to advance and grow the mission of the Arizona Animal Welfare League. 

The Development Assistant has an essential role in providing vital administrative and operational support for all fundraising activities. This includes but is not limited to: 

• Processing and recording all gifts (online and offline) into the donor database (Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge).
• Producing donor acknowledgment letters.
• Assisting with donor database hygiene.
• Assisting with maintaining current and prospective donor profiles.
• Providing administrative support for donor events, board of directors meetings, and donor meetings.
• Supporting the development team with lists and reporting to make informed fundraising decisions.
• Willingness to learn and maintain standard operating procedures regarding fundraising.
• Comfort with self-guided training and lessons to grow functionality of database for the department.

This is an exciting opportunity for a professional who has a desire to provide behind-the-scenes administrative support to help us strengthen our donor relationships and our focus on major donor fund-raising to support the growing needs for animal welfare in our community. 

Reports to: Annual Giving Manager

Essential Job Responsibilities

Database Administration & Maintenance

• Maintain accuracy, quality, and integrity of the Raiser’s Edge database information. 
• Process a high quantity of varying incoming donations (online, offline, mail, Employee Giving) into the Raiser’s Edge database with accuracy and timeliness.
• Work with the Director of Finance and Development Operations Manager to process weekly/monthly deposits and conduct monthly reconciliation with the Director of Finance and Development Operations Manager.
• Maintain reporting schedules and pulling reports as necessary from the database
• Ensure the Development Department procedures and practices are accurate, efficient, and well documented.
• Troubleshoot database issues.
• Assist with researching and qualifying new prospective donors.
• Assist with pulling lists and creating relevant reports to make data-informed decisions.
• Willingness to explore self-guided database trainings to enhance the database.

Managing Gift Processing and Acknowledgement Process:

• Ensure accurate and timely gift acknowledgement (twice per week) for a high volume of incoming donations. 
• Save acknowledgement letters appropriately for annual audit and for donor needs/requests.

Administrative Support 

• Assists in varying administrative assistant needs for the department and board.
• Assist in maintaining organized and clean internal documents and folders.
• Assist in maintaining an organized and clean database.
• Attend regular staff and department meetings.

Event Support

• Support the Annual Giving Manager in the logistical planning and execution of our Evening to Paws gala or other donor-focused events.
• Assist in administrative duties of the event related to attendance, sponsorships, and in-kind items.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/HOURS

• The Development Assistant will be expected to work in the AAWL office Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when necessary to represent AAWL, accommodate donor availability and attend community events (at a minimum Evening to Paws gala or Design for Dogs in the Spring, Walk to Save Animals in the Fall). 
• The office is located in a kennel environment that houses dogs & cats of many sizes & temperaments. 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, non-exempt position. The salary range for this position is between $19.64 to $24.55/hour depending on experience and is commensurate with similar local/regional non-profit salaries.  Benefits include employer-paid medical insurance, paid vacation/sick time off, and 12 paid holidays.

QUALIFICATIONS  

• One year of database experience in a for-profit or nonprofit setting.
• Experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills: High and consistent attention to detail and ability to manage daily, weekly, and monthly tasks, works best in a structured, ordered environment
• Excellent administrative skills: desire to support the department through administration, the ability to follow through on work assignments with a minimum of direct supervision. 
• A demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, confidently and professionally in a wide range of in-person and written interactions.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Strength in proofreading and ardent attention to detail. 
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship building and collaboration skills to effectively establish and maintain professional relationships with staff, donors, vendors and community partners.
• The ability and desire to use and unite programs for efficient database management and document development. (Microsoft Suite, SharePoint, Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge)
• Basic administrative skills, such as formatting Word documents, performing a mail merge, and knowledge on simple equations in Microsoft Excel
• Experience in non-profit, advocacy or other community-based groups is valuable.
• A commitment to professional ethics and maintaining the confidentiality of donors and families. 
• The ability to work on several projects at various stages of completion with strong organizational and time management skills.
• Flexibility, determination and good humor.
• Enthusiasm for working with diverse communities.

TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION

Please submit a resume, cover letter and three professional references including their email, phone and relationship to kverlin@aawl.org and in your subject line please reference “Development Assistant” No phone calls or walk-ins, please.