The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is one of the nation's most effective environmental action organizations. We use law, science and the support of 1.4 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. NRDC was founded in 1970, and our staff helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, and many of the implementing regulations; our water enforcement cases played a major role shaping current water policy throughout the country. Today, our staff of more than 500 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy and communications experts, and others, work out of offices in New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Bozeman, MT and Beijing.
The NRDC Action Fund’s mission is to build political support in the United States for protecting the planet and its people. As the 501(c)(4) affiliate of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), we mobilize grassroots supporters, influential constituencies, experts, and community leaders to directly advocate for clean air and water, public health, biodiversity, and a stable climate. Apart from NRDC, we support candidates who stand up for environmental protection, and we expose those who side with polluters rather than the public good.
The Development Assistant is a key player on the NRDC Action Fund team. This person will report to the Director of Development but work closely with all team members as the support tasks relate to communications, fundraising, event planning, and political involvement. This person will support the Director in executing the fundraising plan to build a diverse pipeline of prospects and donors. Key job duties include researching donors and prospects, mailing acknowledgements and renewals letters, writing briefing memos before meetings and events, entering data and maintaining records in Salesforce, and engaging with donors.
- Track daily and weekly online gifts plus major gifts log.
- Create and maintain list of individuals for Director of Development & Executive Director to thank via phone call, email, or handwritten note
- Research individuals and prepare briefing memos of giving histories, engagement with staff, and issues of interest that can be shared/presented to the Director of Development, and sometimes the President before meetings/events
- Track the reports due to grantors, work with colleagues to submit financial and narrative, help draft proposals for new grants, and research grantor prospects.
- Evergreen light research of individual prospects and donors to solicit.
- Work with research team on c3 side to understand the donor database, segment populations based on giving capacity, political affiliation, and issues of interest.
- Enter notes from Director of Development and Executive Director’s phone calls, meetings, emails, thank you notes, and events into donor’s records to track the history of engagement between Action Fund staff and donors
- Responding to initial requests for information on the Action Fund.
- Requesting meetings and inviting donors to events with Director of Development.
- Representing the Action Fund when attending internal or externally hosted events.
- Assisting colleagues on the Action Fund staff and flexibility to play a jack/jill-of- all-trades role as a team player.
- Detail oriented with excellent organizational skills
- Self-directed, with the ability to prioritize and simultaneously work on multiple projects.
- Ability to quickly learn and navigate databases.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.
- Passion for environmental issues and understanding of NRDC’s issue areas.
- Knowledge of 501(c)(4) and PAC fundraising restrictions and related political activities a plus.
- Writing skills focused on donor briefings and short memos; grant writing a plus.
- Experience and comfort working with high profile individuals; excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work accurately and with composure under deadline pressure.
- Experience working in the non-profit sector preferred.
NRDC is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a pleasant working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience.