Regional Fund Development Associate - job 1 of 2

The Regional Fund Development Associate at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) plays a pivotal role in executing our regional fund development strategy. This includes conducting prospect research, drafting grant proposals and reports, coordinating with program staff, and managing donor relationships. Additionally, the associate supports outreach efforts across Southern California, ensuring timely submission of grant-related deliverables and maintaining detailed records of fundraising activities using Salesforce.

To qualify for the Regional Fund Development Associate role at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), candidates should have a minimum of 1-3 years of relevant experience, including at least one year in nonprofit grant writing and fund development. Strong written and oral communication skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, and experience with donor management platforms like Salesforce are essential. Attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment are highly valued.

The Regional Fund Development Associate significantly contributes to the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO)'s mission by helping to secure necessary funding through effective grant writing, prospect research, and donor cultivation. By facilitating connections with potential funders and ensuring timely reporting on grants, the associate supports programs that empower formerly incarcerated individuals to reintegrate into society and achieve sustainable employment.

The Regional Fund Development Associate at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) enjoys a competitive salary ranging from $55,500 to $61,750 annually, alongside a comprehensive benefits package. This includes medical and dental coverage, professional development opportunities, paid parental leave, participation in a retirement plan, sick and vacation leave, paid holidays, and a workplace culture that fosters continual learning and teamwork, promoting a balanced work life.

To apply for the Regional Fund Development Associate position at the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), interested candidates should submit their application by the March 31, 2025 deadline. We encourage prompt application submission for full consideration, as the position may close early once the application limit is reached. Applications should reflect relevant experience in grant writing and fund development to align with our mission and values.

In your response, highlight specific grants you've written, focusing on your research process, the proposals’ success rates, and how your writing effectively communicated the organization's mission and project goals. Discuss any particular strategies you employed to tailor proposals to different funders, demonstrating your adaptability and understanding of diverse donor expectations.

Discuss your organizational strategies, such as using digital calendars, project management tools, or prioritization matrices. Provide examples of past experiences where you successfully managed overlapping deadlines, showcasing your ability to maintain quality while adhering to strict timeframes, particularly in grant submissions or fundraising projects.

Touch on your methods for building and maintaining relationships with donors, including regular communication, personalized outreach, and follow-up strategies. Illustrate your points with examples of successful donor engagements that resulted in increased support for your previous organizations.

Explain your research methodology, sources, and tools you utilize to find prospective funders that align with the organization’s mission. Discuss any experiences where your research led to successful grant applications, highlighting your analytical skills and ability to identify matching funding priorities.

Share specific examples of obstacles you've encountered in fundraising, such as economic downturns or donor attrition, and outline the creative solutions you implemented to address those challenges, including innovative fundraising strategies or alternative donor engagement approaches.

Discuss your proficiency with Salesforce or other platforms, including how you’ve used these tools to track donor interactions, manage campaigns, and generate reports. Mention any specific metrics or outcomes you've achieved through effective data management and analysis.

Provide a detailed account of a project where you worked with program staff to align fundraising strategies with program goals. Highlight your collaboration skills, communication style, and the outcome of the initiative, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in achieving successful fundraising results.

Talk about your proofreading processes, the use of checklists, and peer reviews to ensure accuracy in reports and proposals. Provide an example of a time when your attention to detail positively impacted the quality of a submitted document.

Reflect on your personal motivations and values that align with the mission of the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO). Illustrate your passion for social justice, supporting reentry initiatives, and helping individuals overcome barriers, demonstrating how this fuels your commitment to fund development in a nonprofit context.

Identify skills and traits such as exceptional communication abilities, strong analytical skills, resilience, and adaptability. Discuss how these qualities support successful fundraising efforts, donor engagement, and the ability to work under pressure while maintaining a positive attitude.