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Development Assistant
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DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT
Northern Star Scouting offers an exciting opportunity for a seasoned professional to join our Development Team as a Development Assistant. In this role, you will provide high-level executive support to the Assistant Director of Development and three Development Directors. We are looking for a candidate with a proven track record in donor relations who can go beyond task execution to help drive our development priorities, including donor communications, events, our matching gift program, and others. As a key steward of eTapestry (our CRM donor database), you will manage complex data structures with precision, transforming raw data into the high-level statistical insights necessary to support compelling proposals. Your proven writing expertise will ensure that every donor acknowledgment and stewardship letter is both timely and deeply impactful, reinforcing our commitment to donor-centric communication. Operating as a seasoned collaborator within our high-energy team, you will provide the professional judgment essential to securing a lasting impact for those we serve and advancing Northern Star Scoutings vision - that all youth have the character, confidence and experience to improve the world!
This is a full-time, non-exempt position operating out of our Base Camp facility at Fort Snelling, MN. The annual compensation range for this position is $42,188 - $60,775, with most newly-hired employees starting at an annual salary of $45,000. Generous benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid life insurance, short and long-term disability, and a retirement plan with employer match. We offer paid time off (equivalent to 16 days annually for new hires) and 12 paid annual holidays.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Experienced Executive Support: Provide high-level executive project support to the Assistant Director of Development and three Development Directors. This requires a demonstrated ability to streamline administrative operations including calendar management and the proactive anticipation of project needs while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and discretion.
Provide Expert Support to the Annual Campaign: Leverage prior experience in fundraising cycles, accurately process pledges and payments, verify donor intent, and generate high-level reports and support materials for staff and volunteer leadership.
Strategic Prospect Research and Donor Communication: Apply proven data-mining techniques to identify new prospects and support leadership in written donor solicitations. Manage start-to-finish execution of targeted donor solicitation and stewardship communications across physical and digital platforms.
Oversight of Matching Gifts and Workplace Giving: Utilize specialized knowledge of workplace giving to manage the verification and recording of employee-based gifts and payroll deductions. Conduct in-depth research of new corporate prospects and coordinate all related communications and reporting.
Support to Special Events: Deliver comprehensive, lead-level administrative and logistical support for Development Department events. This includes coordination of volunteer committee meetings, managing vendor communications, and expert oversight of on-site registration and event flow.
SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Bring team-based experience to provide high-level input and assistance to the Development staff, related staff, and volunteers. This requires a demonstrated ability to contribute to the strategic planning, coordination and implementation of the councils fundraising campaigns.
Utilize database knowledge to manager the gift-in-kind process. This includes not only updating new projects but also taking the lead on modifying database structures and refining management processes to improve departmental efficiencies.
Apply a high degree of technical precision to ensure all changes are thoroughly reviewed and accurately reflected within the eTapestry database, maintaining the "gold-standard" for donor data accuracy.
Uphold company policies and present a positive and professional attitude and image at work and while representing the organization at official functions away from the office.
Demonstrate flexibility in carrying out additional responsibilities as assigned by the Assistant Director of Development, responding to evolving departmental needs with a high level of competence.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience & Education: The ideal candidate will bring significant prior experience in a professional fundraising or non-profit environment. We are seeking a collaborator who understands the nuances of the donor cycle and possesses the professional maturity to manage complex relationships and sensitive data with precision. Minimum of a two-year associates degree and knowledge of general accounting practices required. Knowledge of Scouting is helpful but not required. Must be willing to learn about Scouting and fundraising activities in order to answer questions from callers. Must have numeric aptitude and be detail-oriented, good knowledge of statistics, accurate, and willing to take initiative.
Software Technical Proficiency: In Excel, must be comfortable managing large datasets with precision. This includes the ability to use pivot tables and complex formulas to audit donor data and generate clean statistical reports. In Word, must be proficient in high-level document production, including advanced mail merges for donor appeals, consistent use of styles/formatting for formal proposals and professional correspondence. Fluency across Microsoft 365 suite (Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Outlook) and experience navigating CRM databases and email marketing platforms like ActiveCampaign. Will be trained in eTapestry and My.Scouting. Utilizes computer software to construct, manipulate data and draw conclusions. Intermediate keyboarding skills are needed, with an emphasis on accuracy and a speed of at least 50 words per minute.
Interpersonal skills: Must be able to work independently as well as cooperatively and demonstrate a positive attitude. Must enjoy working with people and be an active team player. Effective interpersonal communications and customer service skills are needed to work with co-workers and volunteers.
Work Schedule and Environment: This is a 40 hour a week, non-exempt hourly, on-site position.
Join us and Make a Difference in the Lives of Youth in Our Communities!
Northern Star Scouting is an Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly Employer