Development Associate

Who We Are:

NCSY, a project of the Orthodox Union, connects with Jewish teens through innovative, cutting-edge social and recreational programs to develop a positive Jewish identity. NCSY Inspires Jewish teens and their connection to Israel through informal Jewish education, retreats and summer programs. NCSY Empowers teens through leadership development and guidance to become passionately committed leaders of the Jewish community and instruments for positive change and renewal. NCSY is the premier organization dedicated to connect, inspire and empower Jewish teens and encourage passionate Judaism through Torah and Tradition.

The Orthodox Union (OU) is the largest Orthodox Jewish organization in the United States. Founded in 1898, the OU supports a network of synagogues, youth programs, Jewish and Religious Zionist advocacy programs, programs for the disabled, localized religious study programs, and international units. The OU maintains a kosher certification service, whose circled U symbol, is found on the labels of many kosher commercial and consumer food products.

Position Summary:

The Development Associate supports the fundraising, donor engagement, and philanthropic initiatives of NCSY. This role serves as a key liaison between staff and the Managing Director of Strategy and Development, assisting in creating a culture of philanthropy that drives funding for NCSY programs. The Development Associate will help implement a comprehensive development calendar, manage donor data, track fundraising results, and support major gift initiatives and stewardship efforts. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about nonprofit development.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Liaison with Managing Director of Strategy and Development
  • Act as a bridge between NCSY staff and the Managing Director to foster a culture of philanthropy and ensure cohesive, mission-driven funding initiatives.
  • Support the Managing Director in strategic fundraising and development initiatives that strengthen organizational funding.
• Development Calendar
  • Assist in creating and managing a yearly development calendar for NCSY.
  • Plan and track donor outreach timelines, major events, and solicitation deadlines.
  • Support weekly goal setting and preparation of call sheets for donor meetings and correspondence.
• Donor Management and Database
  • Serve as the primary point person for the Velocity database system, ensuring all staff understand and adhere to database protocols.
  • Coordinate with OUIA and Data Services to maintain accurate, effective use of Velocity, providing staff training where necessary.
  • Produce financial and donor reports, offering insights to support fundraising and strategic planning.
  • Oversee data integrity by ensuring accurate and timely donor data entry, including gift tracking and donor recognition.
  • Collaborate with National NCSY/OU to ensure all donor data is accurate, updated, and accessible to relevant stakeholders.
• Major Gifts and Donor Stewardship
  • Assist the Managing Director in growing and tracking the Major Gifts Program, identifying and cultivating high-impact donor relationships.
  • Develop and implement stewardship strategies to recognize donors at all levels, ensuring a personal and meaningful experience.
  • Conduct research on prospective donors, preparing profiles and briefing materials for meetings.
  • Support the Managing Director and Stewardship Coordinator in pre-meeting preparations and follow-up with donor prospects.
  • Draft and manage thank-you letters, holiday cards, and personalized communications to build ongoing donor relationships.
• Foundation Gifts and Philanthropic Support
  • Maintain a comprehensive database of foundation templates, best practices, and past proposals for reference.
  • Help coordinate information for major gifts and high-impact donors, assisting with philanthropic research and proposal preparation.
• Coordinate Opportunities
  • Work with staff to identify Development opportunities in their cities through prospecting and grant research
    • Indvidual Donors
    • Communities
    • Grants
• Event Planning and Management
  • Plan, coordinate, and execute fundraising events throughout the year.
  • Develop and oversee event timelines, manage logistics, and ensure cohesive branding and donor experience.
  • Collaborate with internal teams to promote events and drive donor engagement.
• Tracking and Reporting Results
  • Track and analyze the outcomes of development efforts, including event results, donor engagement, and fundraising metrics.
  • Provide regular reports on development activities to inform strategic planning and assess progress toward fundraising goals.
  • Use data insights to suggest improvements in donor engagement, event planning, and stewardship initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree
• 2-4 years' experience in development or a non-profit organization
• Multitasking/ability to manage multiple projects
• Strong communication and organizational skills

Salary and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is between $65,000 and $85,000, commensurate with experience.

We offer employee-sponsored healthcare, dental and vision plans.

Other benefits include:

• Paid sick days
• Paid vacation days
• Paid parental leave
• Paid Jewish and most Federal holidays
• Short Fridays to accommodate for the Sabbath
• Free life and disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan which the organization will contribute 5% of your wage towards retirement savings after you contribute at least 2% (match eligible after 3 years of continuous service)