Wanted: Development Assistant

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

SUMMARY

The Development Assistant is a part-time, non-exempt position responsible for providing coordination and support to the Senior Director of Development for activities relating to SPARC fundraising and donor relations. The primary focus will be to execute mass solicitations, provide administrative support to the development staff and volunteers, and participate in fundraising activities including donor stewardship and cultivation, direct mail appeals, and special events.

SCHEDULE

20-25 hours per week (Monday-Friday: 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm)

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide calendaring and correspondence support to the Senior Director of Development
Handle all administrative details associated with Development Committee meetings (e.g. prepare and distribute notices, agendas, minutes, etc.).
Enter and track incoming donations via Salesforce CRM database
Prepare and send appropriate tax documentation and acknowledgement letters to donors
Maintain foundation, corporation and individual donor files
Prepare and communicate regular fundraising and development related database reports
Continually maintain, update and improve the consistency of database records and donor files
Respond to donor inquiries and requests by phone, email, and in person
Maintain and update the grants calendar
Prepare mailing lists in accordance with the annual giving segmentation strategy
Work with the Director of Marketing and external vendors such as graphic artists, printers and mail-houses to coordinate solicitation material production and mailing logistics
Assist in coordination of VIP, sponsor, and honored guest seating for annual LIVE ART performance
Work with external vendors such as caterers, off-site venues, event invitations, and event managers to coordinate special fundraising events
Maintain guest lists, gather and prepare registration materials, and other duties as assigned for fund-raising events.
Assemble media and donor kits for events and meetings
Be a representative of SPARC’s Core Values
Maintain a professional yet fun atmosphere
Other duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Development

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Percentage of donations processed and acknowledged within 24 to 48 hours
Success in maintaining accuracy of database records
Accuracy of fundraising reports
Success in coordinating the production of direct mail appeals
Success in maintaining donor files
Accuracy of financial transactions, ticketing, and meeting preparation

QUALIFICATIONS

Personality:

Positive attitude. Our team succeeds when all members have a can-do spirit, are fun to be around, and do not complain, make excuses, or gossip.
Self-starter, self-manager. We need someone who takes initiative, anticipates needs, and gets things done on time.
Detail oriented. There are many moving pieces in SPARC, and we need someone who makes complex things seem simple.
Positive communicator. We want someone who can be counted on to focus on the positive, inspire the team, and value his/her colleagues.
Trustworthy. Our team and constituents need to be able to count on the confidentiality, follow-through, and responsiveness of the person in this role.
Decisive. Though senior leadership is always available to support you with sensitive problems, we need someone comfortable making decisions and judgment calls.
Adaptive. We need someone who is able to handle unexpected situations in stride, and who is prepared and capable to step in for a member of his/her team at a moment’s notice.
Committed to excellence. We give our students, families, faculty, and the community a “wow experience” with SPARC at every opportunity.

Professional:

Education: Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Experience: Minimum three years’ experience in an administrative position, preferably in a non-profit development office.
Technical: Advanced skills with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database (preferably Salesforce), Microsoft Office including Excel, and Microsoft Outlook email, calendaring, and contacts management software
Ability to present information concisely and effectively, both verbally and in writing
Ability to organize and prioritize work
Ability to work independently with little supervision
Possess a car, valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.

TO APPLY

Please submit the following materials to SPARC@sparconline.org:

Cover letter and resume
Writing samples
Contact information for personal and professional references

The School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community — a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation — is committed to the most fundamental principles of equality of opportunity and human dignity. SPARC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, military or veteran status, political beliefs, or status with regard to public assistance.