Reporting to the Director of Philanthropy for Audubon South Carolina, the Development Associate is charged with supporting fundraising activities for Audubon South Carolina and performs a variety of fundraising tasks that contribute to the state’s operations and endowments. This position will support the Director of Philanthropy (DoP) and Executive Director (ED) in all aspects of fundraising related to annual appeals, donor research, identification, grant research, grant calendar creation, database updating, and check processing. S/he aims to improve communications with existing and potential donors, chapter leaders, Ambassadors, Bird-Friendly Community members and other partners strategic to the Audubon network in support of alignment with the Mission and Strategic Plan of ASC and the National Audubon Society (NAS).
- Will be a super-user for Salesforce and EveryAction and will assist staff in training for both. Perform communication, outreach, marketing, and fundraising duties through Salesforce and EveryAction.
- Manage weekly donations; generate acknowledgment letters, generate weekly donor reports to include recent donations, giving history, any relevant changes in donor status. Provide additional reports requested by the DOP and ED using SalesForce.
- Contribute to the development of a creative and meaningful donor stewardship program for the purpose of developing, retaining, and reestablishing relationships with new, current and past donors.
- Assist DoP to create a portfolio of past, current, and potential major gift donors and assist with stewardship strategies to build effective long-term relationships with these individuals.
- Plan special events for ASC and its two centers with the DoP and attend events as necessary.
- Work with DoP to implement a schedule for electronic and direct mail appeals. This includes drafting appeal letters, identifying and creating lists for each scheduled appeal; managing and maintaining appeal donation records; generating acknowledgment letters; and, providing reports of performance for each appeal.
- Be familiar with current NAS Marketing and Membership department procedures and guidelines to identify and implement opportunities and strategies to promote ASC, ASC Centers, and SC Chapters.
- 2-3 years’ professional experience in a development position that includes donor communications preferred.
- Exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills.
- Must be well organized, able to handle details while pursuing overall goals, consistently meet deadlines, and able to adapt quickly to a new organization.
- Familiarity with basic fundraising principles and best practices.
- Ability to connect with people from a wide range of backgrounds. Excellent in-person (face-to-face) skills and telephone etiquette.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as a member of a team, and with volunteers and partners.
- Strong technical skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, as well as comfort navigating and reporting from donor databases, required. Experience with Salesforce strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information in a discrete and professional manner.
- Previous online fundraising or annual fund experience a plus.
- Must be willing to travel, as well as commit to some evening and weekend work as needed. Valid driver’s license also necessary.
- Passion for conservation and Audubon’s mission a must.