Philanthropy Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY

Native Plant Trust seeks a dynamic, outgoing individual with high emotional intelligence to fill a new full-time (40 hours per week) administrative role in the philanthropy department at our headquarters in Wayland, MA, due to growth in our fundraising program. This position requires exceptional customer service and a strong attention to detail. The philanthropy assistant will join a 6 person team and will play a key part in supporting all fundraising activities of the organization’s $5M+ annual operating budget, planned giving program, capital projects, and endowment funds. Core duties include data processing, phone and email correspondence, record keeping, event logistics, mailing list management, and other database and paper-based administrative functions. Some weekend/evening work and local travel are required for events, always with prior notice. The position reports to the Philanthropy Manager.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Data management (30%)

• Creating and updating constituent records within a CRM database (currently Altru by Blackbaud).
• Maintaining data integrity--such as merging duplicate records and linking files.
• Maintaining records in accordance with professional business and fundraising standards.
• Collating data for internal and external reports.
• Entering volunteers’ contact reports into CRM.

Gift processing and donor stewardship (70%)

• Processing donations and dues received from a variety of financial sources--such as checks, credit cards, stock, and electronic fund transfers.
• Drafting accurate gift acknowledgements and pledge forms.
• Preparing large and small mailing lists in differing formats for electronic and paper communications, in addition to sending small to mid-sized mailings in-house.
• Proofreading fundraising materials--such as event invitations and electronic newsletters.
• Assisting donors across the region, and country, with a comprehensive array of benefits
• Assisting with event preparations and logistics; including recording registrations, creating name badges and handout materials, meeting and greeting guests, and helping with event set-up and break-down.
• Efficient and effective internal and external communication via phone, email, and letter.
• Adhering to ethical standards and confidentiality regarding personal and financial information.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite, Google suite, and databases, and comfortable learning new technology.
• Professional, courteous manner to interact with a variety of people in person, by phone, and in written communications.
• Ability to work effectively in a consistently fast-paced environment with repeated interruptions.
• Detail-oriented, thorough, organized, yet also flexible and able to prioritize responsibilities to meet time-sensitive schedules and deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• At least a year of related experience preferred.

HOURS AND COMPENSATION

This is a full-time year-round (40 hours/week) nonexempt position with a starting rate of $21.75/hour. The employee is eligible for employment benefits currently offered by Native Plant Trust, including retirement plan, discounts on plants and merchandise, and free enrollment in education programs. We also offer a paid time off plan and health insurance coverage.

TO APPLY

Please submit a letter of interest and resume in MS Word or PDF format, with your last name as the first word in the file name, using the subject line “Philanthropy Assistant Application” to development-hire@NativePlantTrust.org by the application deadline of Friday, February 14.

Native Plant Trust is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access and to being a welcoming and safe place for all who engage with us.