Development Specialist

The development specialist supports Posse’s individual, corporate and foundation giving, with a particular focus on the Bay Area and Los Angeles. They are responsible for working with the site development directors and national development team to support fundraising efforts in support of the annual operation of Posse Bay Area and Posse Los Angeles. The development specialist is responsible for grant reports and writing proposals with accompanying budgets, conducting prospect research, drafting thank you letters and other donor correspondence, planning events, gift entry, monthly financial reporting, and supporting the work of the development staff, locally and nationally. The development officer reports to the vice president for development.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Write and submit foundation and corporate proposals, reports and letters in a timely manner. Track proposal and report deadlines.
• Maintain communication with organizational donors (particularly foundation and corporate donors and prospects).
• Work with development directors to identify and research prospects.
• Track prospective donor contacts and set up prospect meetings. Assist development directors with prospect meeting strategies.  Maintain database systems for donor management.
• Maintain all administrative development activities and maintain donor files, including electronic files through Raiser’s Edge database.
• Organize and implement several annual donor mailings.
• Help facilitate communication and follow up with advisory board members.
• Manage logistics for development special events.

We are looking for someone who is collaborative, innovative, hard working and thrives in a fast paced environment. The successful candidate will have these qualities/qualifications:

• Bachelors degree
• Two plus years of work experience in development or related field
• Motivated and able to work independently as well as with a team
• Willingness to take initiative
• Ability to multi-task, manage concurrent processes/projects, and focus on the small but important details in all projects while keeping the bigger picture in mind
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, including grant writing
• Excellent office and computer skills. Proficient in Word, Excel and experience working with a fundraising database
• Able to establish and maintain cooperative professional relationships with colleagues, donors, volunteers and the public
• Demonstrated belief in Posse’s mission and values