Development Associate

Title: Development Associate

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) seeks a Development Associate who can support ISW’s fundraising, donor data management, and events.

About ISW:

As the world continues to witness the devastating impact of armed conflict, the need for objective, real-time, unbiased analysis has never been greater. When decision-makers need information—from policymakers to humanitarian aid organizations to military leaders on the ground—time and time again, they turn to the Institute for the Study of War. 

ISW has a unique, dual mission: to provide real-time intelligence to help leaders make informed decisions in conflict zones around the world and educate the next generation of national security leaders. This work is carried out through the General Jack Keane Center for National Security and the General David H. Petraeus Center for Emerging Leaders.

Position Summary:

The Development Associate performs a range of operational and administrative functions including compiling donor research materials, building and maintaining ISW’s donor database, operationalizing data to inform strategy and support outreach, and ensuring smooth and timely processes within the department. The associate also manages ISW’s structured communications with donors through emails and other marketing.

The Development Associate reports to ISW’s Director of Development and collaborates closely with ISW’s accounting team to support fundraising activities and associated data flows.

Responsibilities:

Donor Data Management

• Proactively administer and maintain the donor database based on numerous sources of information including email exchanges, meeting notes, background research, and donation activity such as transactions, receipts, etc;
• Perform routine data quality control to identify and resolve key data errors or gaps, ensuring a high level of data integrity and accuracy on a consistent basis;
• Manage the integration between the donor database and other software systems;
• Train ISW’s operations staff on the database, serve as a resource to help staff optimize database use to meet institutional goals, and serve as ISW’s point of contact for working with the database provider when issues arise, to make software updates as necessary, etc;

Gift Processing and Administration

• Complete acknowledgment letters for end-of-year reporting purposes;
• Process all gifts into the donor database within 24-48 hours of receipt;
• Flag gifts that meet established thresholds for further engagement;
• Create, disseminate, and log pledge forms and invoices where appropriate;

Reporting

• Support the development of fundraising progress reports and other updates for ISW’s management team and senior leaders;
• Prepare ad-hoc reports from the donor database as requested to support fundraising operations;

• Provide development data to the accounting team to ensure a smooth annual auditing process;

Donor Research

• Perform donor and prospect research to identify possible giving levels, key areas of alignment, connections, and other actionable insights;
• Compile background materials to support ISW’s donor cultivation and relationship management;

Donor Fulfillment and Stewardship

• Track and manage all promised donor fulfillment benefits and work with other ISW stakeholders to ensure that they are fulfilled;
• Support the development of proposals and other fundraising and stewardship materials including donor reports such as grant progress reports;

Events and Outreach

• Create event invitation lists for donor events and track RSVPs, donor responses, and attendance data;
• Perform mail merges and other event outreach;
• Manage the execution and dissemination of ISW’s development marketing materials and manage email communication systems in collaboration with the external relations team;
• Support donor relationship management through timely responses to donor emails, calls, and other engagements;
• Manage the donor email inbox including timely routing of key messages and requirements to the Development Director and others as appropriate;
• Attend meetings and take notes, with a focus on due outs;

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree and at least 2 years professional experience in a development role, with greater experience welcome. He or she will also demonstrate:

• Commitment to ISW’s mission;
• Experience working with Microsoft Office is required; experience with DonorPerfect or other data platforms is desirable;
• Ability to engage with and troubleshoot new technology platforms and help users integrate them into their workflow;
• Ability to structure, query, and manage data;
• The ability to write and communicate effectively in a fast-paced environment primarily through email or on the phone but not limited to those means;
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and balance both rapid response and long-term projects;
• A mature, professional demeanor suitable for interacting with senior executives, senior military leaders, and other VIPS;
• The ability to work well under pressure while maintaining strict deadlines and a high level of professionalism;
• Trustworthiness and discretion;
• Initiative, drive, and ability to work independently to advance the organization’s mission;
• Willingness to learn and innovate.