Development Assistant

Location: Silver Spring, MD

Supervisor: Vice President, Development

Status: Full-time, Non-exempt

What We Need

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (the Foundation), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our Development Team as a Development Assistant. This role will support the government, corporate, and major donor fundraising efforts of the Foundation. This work entails providing administrative support to the Development Team, which currently includes the Vice President of Development, the Corporate Relations Manager, and the Development Manager, writing and editing, as well as research to inform a strategic development plan. The responsibilities of the Development Assistant will include but not be limited to Salesforce data entry and maintenance, calendar and schedule management, correspondence management, file management, events organization, prospect research, travel arrangements, expense reports, and general administrative tasks. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, an excellent communicator, and can thrive in a fast-paced environment. Ideally this candidate will have at least one to two years of experience working with a fundraising team within an NGO or non-profit. Experience with Salesforce (entering data and running reports, among other tasks) or similar is strongly desired but not required.

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is committed to a culture of inclusion, equity, and belonging. We are dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We honor experiences, perspectives, and unique identities, and welcome the contributions that you can bring to the dedicated team. With a diverse team of employees, we can grow and learn better together and achieve our mission to protect the health of the ocean, coasts and Great Lakes for current and future generations.

What You’ll Do

The Development Assistant will report to and work closely with Foundation’s Vice President of Development to support a growing Development team. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Enter and maintain accurate and timely data into Salesforce for new Development team contacts.
• Maintain information on prospects, donors, contributions, gifts and grants in the Salesforce system. This includes assisting the Development Manager in managing and updating the Foundation’s current mailing list database in Salesforce, focusing on accurate data entry.
• Assist the Development team in organizing Foundation hosted events, including but not limited to, the Ocean Awards Gala that is part of Capitol Hill Ocean Week.
• Work with the Vice President of Development and the Development team to conduct research on potential funders from all constituencies, including individuals, corporations, foundations, and governments, among others. Research and prepare briefing materials for donor meetings.
• Request donor and prospect meetings for the Vice President of Development for 1-5 fundraising trips monthly. Make/coordinate travel arrangements (transportation and lodging). Provide itineraries and other information regarding locations and directions as necessary.
• Prepare prospect briefings and marketing materials in advance of meetings.
• Assist the Development Team with email rollouts to prospect lists as necessary.
• Assist the Corporate Relations Manager and the Development Manager in preparing backgrounders and PowerPoint presentations prior to prospect meetings.
• Draft, organize signatures for, and send thank you letters and other correspondence.
• Prepare other written materials as directed.
• Proofread written materials.
• Assist the Development team in creating and updating an internal document that describes the various projects the Foundation is implementing.
  
  Schedule Management
  
• Maintain the Vice President of Development’s calendar and awareness of that person’s activities to expedite others’ requests for information, appointments, etc.
• Support the Vice President of Development in the conduct of her daily activities. Answer questions, find information, do research, etc.
• Review the Vice President’s meeting schedule while she is on travel and provide information to Foundation colleagues, as necessary.
• Coordinate meeting logistics and agendas for the full Development Team (scheduling meetings, booking conference rooms, printing, copying, catering, etc.), including meetings with Foundation program staff.
  
  General Administrative
  
• Prepare expense reports for the Vice President and/or other Development staff as requested.