Development Assistant

(Part Time: 20 hours a week)

$24 per hour

About the Dream Project

Founded in 2010, the Dream Project’s mission is to empower Virginia high school graduates whose immigration status creates barriers to post-secondary education. The Dream Project works with them to access and succeed in college through scholarships, mentoring, and scholar and alumni support. This position requires your presence in the Northern Virginia/D.C. metropolitan region.

Position

The Development Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the development efforts of the organization by supporting structures and processes that facilitate organization-wide fundraising efforts through information-sharing, data management and upkeep, and event planning.  The position is hybrid and you will be expected to work from the Arlington office multiple days a week and in person at events throughout the D.C. Metropolitan area.

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter to hr@dream-project.org. Applications will be received on a rolling basis with priority given to applications submitted by July 31, 2024.

Responsibilities:

Event Planning

• Supports the development director in the planning of fundraising events
• Manages donation collection at events
• Work on-site fundraising events. Responsibilities include, food pickup, material delivery, and setup.

Database and donation processing

• Confirms proper greetings, salutations, spellings, in donor communication etc.
• Data selection (pull mailing lists) for internal and external campaigns
• Record contact histories, campaign links and source codes
• Update mailing lists and recording bulk communications on the database
• Record grants application information
• Draft periodic updates to automatic thank you emails to donors

Financial reports and acknowledgements

• Sends gift acknowledgements (receipts) to donors who donate through mail
• Thanks supporters and organizations in a timely and courteous manner, and record these communications in the database
• Assist with maintaining website and social media sites pertaining to fundraising events
• Assist with creating and distributing event materials (emails, solicitation letters, etc.)

Administrative and Operational Support

• Assembles monthly mass mailings and mail marketing material and acknowledgements to supporters and donors
• Secure venues and working with vendors for fundraising events
• Ensure donations are processed correctly and supporters are thanked after events and other fundraising initiatives

Prefered Knowledge and Skills  

• Proactive problem-solving skills, strong attention to detail, and ability to maintain accuracy and integrity of information and programs
• Strong  verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently after assignment is given
• Demonstrated proficiency in using MS Office Suite (especially Excel), virtual collaboration platforms (e.g. Google Meet, Zoom) and database systems (e.g. Salesforce, Click & Pledge) with a willingness to learn and utilize new and emerging technologies
• Flexibility in adapting to and implementing new business and operational procedures
• Bilingual proficiency (Spanish preferred)
• Experience in event planning and database management

Education:
Bachelor’s degree

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