Development Associate
About Friends of Rye Nature Center
Friends of Rye Nature Center (FRNC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting the community with nature through environmental education, conservation initiatives, and outdoor recreation. Located in the heart of Rye, New York, FRNC manages 47 acres of preserved land, offering diverse habitats, nature trails, and educational programming for all ages. We are committed to fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world and inspiring stewardship through hands-on learning, habitat restoration, and advocacy efforts.
Position Overview
The Development Associate plays a pivotal role in supporting the fundraising and donor engagement efforts of Friends of Rye Nature Center (FRNC). This position is responsible for managing donor databases, assisting with fundraising campaigns, coordinating events, and ensuring effective communication with stakeholders. The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, and passionate about FRNC’s mission, and should also have a strong network of development professionals and experience with capital campaigns.
The candidate will report to and work closely with the Director of Operations and Development, as well as the Executive Director, to meet the fundraising goals.
Key Responsibilities
Donation Relations & Stewardship
Maintain and update donor records in the CRM system (Neon Z2 Systems).
Process donations and generate acknowledgment letters and tax receipts promptly.
Assist in developing and implementing donor cultivation and stewardship strategies.
Research prospective donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations.
Fundraising Campaigns & Appeals
Support the planning and execution of annual giving campaigns, including direct mail and online appeals.
Collaborate with the development team to create compelling fundraising materials.
Monitor and analyze campaign performance and donor engagement.
Event Coordination
Assist in organizing fundraising events, donor receptions, and community outreach.
Manage event logistics, including vendor coordination and communication, and donation and attendee tracking.
Support post-event follow-up, including thank-you communications and data entry.
Communication & Marketing
Draft and edit content for newsletters, social media, and the organization's website to engage donors and promote fundraising efforts and mission awareness.
Ensure consistent messaging and branding across all development communications.
Collaborate with the communications team to highlight donor impact stories and project and program updates.
Administrative Support
Generate reports on fundraising metrics and donor engagement for internal and external stakeholders.
Assist in preparing materials for board and fundraising committee meetings.
Handle general administrative tasks to support the development operations.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
7+ years of progressive fundraising and administrative experience in development roles within a nonprofit organization.
Demonstrable track record in securing major gifts and nurturing loyal donors.
Experience with fundraising events and donor engagement strategies.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and donor management systems.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
Ability to uphold fundraising ethics and respect the confidentiality of donor information.
Familiarity with grant research and proposal writing.
Capital campaign experience preferred.
Join the FRNC Team!
Interested candidates can apply below. You may also email a resume and cover letter to nicole@ryenaturecenter.org. Please include “Development Associate Application” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.