Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Fundraising Assistant

💰 $45,000 - $60,000

NonprofitFundraisingAdministrationDevelopment

🎯 Role Definition

The Fundraising Assistant is a cornerstone of our development operations, providing essential administrative, logistical, and data management support to the entire fundraising team. This individual plays a critical role in maintaining strong relationships with our donor community and ensuring the smooth execution of our fundraising campaigns and events. You will be the organizational backbone that enables our team to achieve ambitious fundraising goals and drive our mission forward. This position is ideal for a highly organized and proactive individual with a passion for our cause and a desire to build a career in philanthropy.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Administrative Assistant
  • Program Coordinator
  • Intern (Nonprofit/Development)
  • Customer Service Representative

Advancement To:

  • Fundraising Coordinator
  • Development Associate
  • Donor Relations Specialist

Lateral Moves:

  • Grants Assistant
  • Communications Coordinator
  • Volunteer Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Meticulously process all incoming donations, including checks, online gifts, stock transfers, and pledges, ensuring accurate and timely entry into the donor database (CRM).
  • Generate and distribute personalized and timely gift acknowledgments, receipts, and thank-you letters to ensure donors feel valued and appreciated.
  • Maintain the integrity and accuracy of the donor database (e.g., Raiser's Edge, Salesforce for Nonprofits), performing regular data hygiene, updating contact information, and merging duplicate records.
  • Provide comprehensive administrative support to the development team, including scheduling donor meetings, preparing materials for presentations, and managing departmental calendars.
  • Assist in the planning and execution of fundraising events, from small donor cultivation gatherings to large-scale galas, by managing invitation lists, tracking RSVPs, and coordinating with vendors.
  • Provide on-site support during fundraising events, including managing registration, assisting with auctions, and ensuring a seamless experience for all attendees and donors.
  • Conduct preliminary prospect research on individual, corporate, and foundation donors to identify new funding opportunities and prepare briefing materials for the fundraising team.
  • Pull targeted mailing lists and donor reports from the CRM to support direct mail campaigns, email appeals, and strategic outreach efforts.
  • Assist in the creation and distribution of fundraising communications, including drafting content for newsletters, email appeals, and social media updates.
  • Handle donor inquiries via phone and email with professionalism and excellent customer service, providing information and resolving issues promptly.
  • Coordinate the production and mailing of fundraising appeals and donor stewardship materials, including managing mail merges and working with external print vendors.
  • Track fundraising campaign performance by monitoring key metrics, updating progress reports, and preparing summaries for team meetings.
  • Prepare and assemble comprehensive information packets, proposals, and stewardship reports for major donors and institutional funders.
  • Manage the inventory of departmental supplies and collateral, ensuring all necessary fundraising materials are readily available.
  • Reconcile donation records with the finance department on a regular basis to ensure financial accuracy and compliance.
  • Support the management of online fundraising platforms and peer-to-peer campaigns, providing technical assistance to participants as needed.
  • Assist in coordinating the activities of development-related volunteers, providing them with clear instructions and necessary resources.
  • Maintain an organized system for all electronic and physical development files, including donor correspondence, grant agreements, and gift documentation.
  • Stay informed about trends in philanthropy and fundraising best practices to contribute innovative ideas to the team.
  • Perform general clerical duties, such as photocopying, scanning, filing, and handling incoming/outgoing mail for the development department.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory analysis of donor trends and giving patterns.
  • Contribute to the refinement of the organization's donor data strategy and hygiene protocols.
  • Collaborate with communications and program teams to ensure consistent messaging and storytelling to our donor community.
  • Participate in departmental and all-staff meetings, contributing to a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • CRM Database Management: Proficiency with fundraising CRMs such as Raiser's Edge, Salesforce for Nonprofits, Bloomerang, or Little Green Light.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word (mail merge), Excel (data manipulation, pivot tables), and PowerPoint (presentations).
  • Gift Processing: Experience with accurately entering various types of donations and generating reports.
  • Online Fundraising Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Classy, GoFundMe Charity, or similar peer-to-peer fundraising software.
  • Data Entry: High speed and accuracy in data entry with a keen eye for detail.
  • Basic Research Skills: Ability to use online tools to gather information on potential donors.
  • Email Marketing Software: Experience with platforms like Mailchimp or Constant Contact for creating and sending appeals is a plus.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach to data entry, proofreading, and all administrative tasks.
  • Strong Organizational & Time Management Skills: Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Excellent Written and Verbal Communication: Ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and warmly with donors, colleagues, and vendors.
  • Discretion and Confidentiality: Utmost respect for donor privacy and the ability to handle sensitive information with integrity.
  • Proactive & Self-Motivated: A "can-do" attitude with the ability to take initiative and solve problems independently.
  • Interpersonal Savvy: Strong relationship-building skills and a customer-service-oriented mindset.
  • Team Player: A collaborative spirit and willingness to support team members to achieve common goals.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate's Degree or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Nonprofit Management
  • Communications
  • Business Administration
  • Public Relations

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of administrative or support experience.

Preferred: Previous experience in a nonprofit setting, particularly in a development or fundraising department, is highly desirable. A demonstrated passion for the organization's mission is a significant asset.

Explore More Careers