Development Associate

POSITION DESCRIPTION: Development Associate

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International is dedicated to the conservation and protection of gorillas and their habitats in Africa. We are committed to promoting continued research on the gorillas and their threatened ecosystems and to providing education about their relevance to the world in which we live. In collaboration with government agencies and other international partners, we also provide assistance to local communities through education, health, training and development initiatives. We are based in Atlanta, Georgia, with field and program headquarters in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Under the guidance of senior leadership and reporting to the Director of Development Communications and Donor Relations, the Development Associate is a front-line fundraising position that will strengthen the overall mission of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund by supporting the day-to-day operations of a robust development and communications team. This new, full-time position will provide critical support to the development, communications, and database staff with an emphasis on donor cultivation and stewardship.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Development Associate’s time will be split between development operations, front-line fundraising, and communications.

Although we will consider exceptional candidates without all of the following qualifications, the ideal candidate is a self-starter with 1+ years of experience in a fundraising, communications, or marketing capacity. Writing skills are paramount to this position.  

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Fundraising and Communications - 60%

• Under the direction of relevant staff, creates and executes timely, accurate, and engaging donor communications via email, social media, direct/traditional mail, and the web

• Provides necessary support for annual fundraising campaigns, including: Giving Tuesday, World Gorilla Day, Conservation Crew/Recurring Giving, Donor Appreciation Week, and Holiday Adoptions

• Conducts low to mid-level donor research as needed

• Helps coordinate regular donor communication and cultivation, with an emphasis on new, recurring, and online donors

• Assists in the implementation and management of the digital adoption program

• Assists in the creation and production of donor development and outreach materials

• Assists with the management and implementation of the Combined Federal Campaign and State Employee Giving Campaigns

• Assists in the creation and implementation of a Loyalty Donor program

• Manages peer to peer fundraising program and develops toolkits to support individual and corporate fundraisers

• Leads the exploration of a DFGF online merchandise store

• Assists with periodic special events

• Assists in answering general Fossey Fund email inboxes

• Performs other duties as necessary and assists with special projects as requested

Database and Development Operations - 40%

• Works with Director of Donor Data and Information and the Senior Database Associate to process and batch gifts and update donor records, especially during online giving campaigns and year-end giving (Oct - Jan)

• Assist database team in data cleanup projects, such as handling returned mail

• Assists the database team with archiving and yearly audit

• Leads the production and mailing of annual recurring giving summaries

• In collaboration with relevant staff, develop, implement, and manage a segmented donor stewardship program

• Leads donor fulfillment efforts

• Screens donor line calls and triages appropriately

• Performs other duties as necessary and assists with special projects as requested

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS Degree
• Culture and mission driven - extremely passionate about our mission to help people and save gorillas
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• The capacity to multitask and manage multiple projects and assignments, often with competing deadlines, and the ability to help drive projects to completion
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and direction
• Demonstrated analytical and critical thinking skills
• The ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of staff members, partners, and supporters
• The ability to thrive in a fast-paced, do-it-yourself environment
• Positive attitude with eagerness to learn and to contribute to a small team
• Results driven
• Observant, resourceful, and intuitive
• Responsive to direction and feedback
• Capacity to learn new systems and leverage technology to meet and exceed goals
• Knowledge of, or experience in, digital fundraising and advocacy, donor stewardship and cultivation, and marketing is a plus
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge or other CRM system strongly preferred
• Proficient in MS Office Suite and Google Suite

In addition to the above, the most qualified candidates will possess at least one of the following preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in political science, public administration, communications, marketing, English, or other related field
• Minimum 1 year work experience, preferably in a nonprofit or sales setting
• Minimum 1 year data entry experience, preferably in a nonprofit setting
• Basic graphic design skills, with a strong preference for proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar program
• Basic HTML and CSS
• Experience with WordPress or other CMS
• Experience with Mailchimp, or other e-mail marketing platform
• An interest in animals, the environment, and conservation
• An interest in the continent of Africa and its people
• Eagerness to learn and contribute to a small team
• Creative and compelling storyteller

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Salary is commensurate with experience. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund offers a strong benefits package.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email your cover letter, resume, and salary requirements in a single PDF file to kcadwallader@gorillafund.org, noting “Development Associate” in the subject line. In your cover letter, please speak directly to your experience and interest in working with the Fossey Fund. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. No phone calls please. This position is located in Atlanta, GA. This is not a remote opportunity. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law, where applicable.