Organizational Background
VOCAL-NY is a grassroots membership organization working to create healthy and just communities by building power among people affected by HIV, drug use, mass incarceration, and homelessness. We do this through community organizing, leadership development, participatory research, policy advocacy and direct action with the belief that true social change must come from the bottom up and be led by those most directly impacted.
VOCAL-NY also provides onsite and peer-based syringe exchange, overdose prevention, hepatitis C and HIV education, drug treatment education and other services for people who use drugs. Services are provided in a low-threshold, nonjudgmental and culturally relevant manner.
Position Description
The Development Associate is a key member of the Infrastructure Team, responsible for supporting the development department’s work and activities and will report to the Director of Development.
As Development Associate, you will support the growth of VOCAL-NY, manage the monthly donor program, assist in organizing the annual gala and other special events, manage fundraising calendars, research and apply for grants, and maintain relationships with VOCAL-NY’s 1000+ monthly donors.
Job Responsibilities:
Other duties may be assigned. On an ongoing basis regular duties include the following:
- Fundraising: Assists with individual donor campaigns (e.g., annual gala, end-of-year fundraising) and manages the monthly donor program.
- Administration: Manages electronic and paper records of donors and grants. Manages donor acknowledgements. Coordinates development calendar, as well as development activities in the calendars of the Director of Development and the Co-Executive Directors.
- Writing: Write fundraising and communications emails about VOCAL-NY’s campaigns. Support writing grants, development materials, and the annual report.
- Prospecting: Conduct regular research into prospective foundations and major donors. Generate donor profiles. Manage foundation tracking so the organization is always following up on appropriate funder leads.
- Events: Assists in the coordination for the annual gala and occasional fundraising and “friend-raising” events. Coordinates social events for VOCAL-NY’s monthly donor program.
- Support Other VOCAL Campaigns: The position will be expected to periodically provide support for any and all community organizing and campaign work within VOCAL-NY. We have a highly collaborative office environment where staff members provide regular support for each other’s campaigns as needed.
Requirements / Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will be an energetic, self-motivated individual who has strong interpersonal, writing, and problem solving skills, with a keen attention to detail. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic, the war on drugs, homelessness, and mass incarceration and a willingness to approach these issues through a racial justice analysis and using approaches that elevate the involvement of directly affected people and communities. People directly impacted by HIV, the war on drugs, homelessness, and mass incarceration are encouraged to apply. A deep commitment to social justice is required.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Excellent verbal, written, research and interpersonal skills.
- Willingness to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Have a commitment to grassroots fundraising as a necessary component of power building.
- Attention to detail and strong proofreading skill.
- A strong commitment to teamwork and to working with and promoting the leadership of people directly affected by the issues we work on.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Proficiency with common business software (e.g. MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email clients). Adobe graphics programs and fundraising database programs is a plus.
- Spanish language proficiency is desirable but not required.
- Understanding of and passion for VOCAL-NY’s mission.
This is a full-time position. The position will report to the Director of Development and will work collaboratively with other members of the Infrastructure, Campaigns, and Services teams.
