Development Associate

Our Mission

African Women Rising was founded in 2006 to empower women affected by war with the tools to rise out of extreme poverty. Rooted in the conviction that women should be active stakeholders in defining their own development strategies, African Women Rising builds on initiatives that the women themselves have started. Our programs in micro-finance, agriculture, and education work synergistically for maximum impact to the women and their families.

The Opportunity

African Women Rising is experiencing rapid growth and is poised to continue on this exciting trajectory. With a 2025 budget of $4.7 million, we anticipate significant expansion in the coming years. While our solid fund development practices have been instrumental in reaching this stage, we are eager to elevate our efforts to support the evolving needs of our growing organization. The Development Associate will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing our current and future fundraising strategies, blending innovative approaches with proven methods to drive success. This role offers a unique opportunity to work alongside leadership and play a key part in driving the organization’s mission forward.

Fund Development (70%)

Strategy & Fundraising: Collaborate with the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer to develop and implement a comprehensive fund development strategy, leading individual fundraising initiatives to drive impact and advance our mission.

Marketing & Engagement: Create and execute innovative marketing strategies across digital and print platforms to boost donor engagement and amplify our reach.

Events: Plan and manage inspiring fundraising and donor engagement events that deepen connections and grow support.

Donor Relations: Support major donor engagement through a Moves Management system and drive annual giving campaigns across various platforms to boost participation and contributions.

Database Management: Serve as a Bloomerang CRM expert, ensuring accurate data, insightful analysis, and timely donor acknowledgments to optimize fundraising efforts.

Professional Growth: Stay current on fundraising best practices through ongoing learning, bringing fresh ideas and strategies to enhance our work.

Board Support (15%)

Play a vital role in supporting and engaging with the Board by managing key responsibilities, including recording meeting minutes, overseeing membership documents, and coordinating meeting logistics. Take the lead in supporting board-organized events and collaborate with board members to drive donor engagement through Moves Management, fostering impactful connections and strengthening our mission.

Executive Director Support (15%)

Collaborate closely with the Executive Director by providing occasional administrative support, ensuring seamless operations and contributing to strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications, however, candidates with less or more experience are encouraged to apply.

• A minimum of 2 years experience in a non-profit fundraising role
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage with donors
• Experience planning and executing in-person fundraising events
• Experience developing content for social media and other platforms
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Organization skills with an emphasis on attention to detail
• Experience utilizing a CRM provider (Salesforce, Razor’s Edge, Bloomerang) to optimize the use of data in fundraising and communications
• Proficiency with Google Suite
• Commitment to advancing social justice

Benefits and Compensation:

We offer a competitive benefits and compensation package based on the candidate’s experience. The salary range for this role is $60,000-$80,000 annually. We utilize the Fair Pay for California Nonprofits combined with our internal Board approved Compensation Philosophy to determine a fair and competitive salary.

AWR is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome and consider all applications regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Location:

This is a remote job, however, the candidate is required to be within driving distance of Santa Barbara, CA.

To Apply:

Send cover letter and resume to

info@africanwomenrising.org