Development Associate- JOB DESCRIPTION
About Mesa
Founded in 2020, Mesa is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing homelessness among young adults age 18-24 in Ventura County. We provide transitional housing and trauma-informed supportive services to help participants stabilize their lives, gain independence, and develop the skills necessary for long-term success. Our holistic services help them to reach their goals in health, academic achievement, vocational skills, relationship building, community engagement – and to secure permanent housing. Our mission is to cultivate possibility for young adults facing homelessness. Mesa began serving participants on August 1st, 2024, and is currently home to 13 young adults.
Position Overview
The Development Associate is responsible for growing Mesa’s community of support and meeting Mesa’s fundraising goals through event management, appeal development, gift processing, and database management. This position works to strengthen relationships with donors, supporters, and the community, ensuring smooth and efficient operations across all fundraising activities.
This position reports to the Finance and Development Director.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Event Planning
- Manage annual signature fundraising event and additional educational and community engagement events.
- Manage logistics, budgets, and timelines with staff and constituents.
- Assist in the development and promotion of event materials and programs.
- Identify and manage sponsorship opportunities.
- Identify and manage volunteer requirements.
- Facilitate events for success and alignment with Mesa’s mission and goals.
- Communications
- Create annual development communication timeline and manage communications, including fundraising appeals.
- Support Marketing in the development and execution of Mesa development communications and other communications, such as newsletters, impact report, and collaterals.
- Gift Processing & Acknowledgment
- Manage the accurate and timely processing of gifts, including donations, pledges, and sponsorships.
- Prepare personalized acknowledgment letters and receipts for donors to ensure donors are recognized in a timely and appropriate manner.
- Database Management
- Manage the Mesa database, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records.
- Provide required reports and analysis.
- Work with team members to maintain data integrity and confidentiality.
- Administrative Support
- Provide administrative support, including meeting facilitation, file maintenance, and budget and policy creation and oversight.
- Facilitate coordination of fundraising initiatives.
This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the Development Associate’s role, but is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Passionate about Mesa’s mission;
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, nonprofit management, or related field (or equivalent work experience);
- 2-3 years of experience in event planning, project management, communications, and/or nonprofit development office;
- Experience with sponsorship management and donor relations;
- Self-starter with strong organizational and project management skills, including high attention to detail;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; exercises discretion; communicates with diplomacy and tact;
- Maintains a positive attitude, high professional standards, and exceptional customer service;
- Excellent computer skills, including strong competency with Google Suite (advanced Google Sheets) and database program (Donor Perfect is highly desirable)
- Able to juggle a variety of tasks, clearly define priorities, and manage time efficiently;
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team – self-directed and requires minimal supervision;
- Acts in a fiscally responsible manner; and
- Upholds Mesa’s core values and follows organization policies and requirements.
Physical Demands:
- Ability to lift up to 40 pounds for event setup and materials handling.
- Ability to sit for one hour, minimum.
- Visual and audio acuity.
- Occasional evening and weekend work is required for events and activities.
WORK SCHEDULE
This position is full-time, salaried, hybrid remote/office with at least 50% of hours on-site at Mesa. The role will require occasional evening or weekend work.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Salary: $68,640 annually
- Benefits:
- 401k option without employer match
- Employer-sponsored wellness and outdoor activities (e.g., yoga, hiking, meditation)
- Wellness stipend + fringe benefits
- Eligible for Public Interest Loan Forgiveness (PILF) program for student loan forgiveness
- 2 weeks PTO
- 11 paid holidays
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