Employment Opportunities

The Roosevelt Institute is seeking a Development Associate, based in our NYC headquarters, to help raise support for this fast-growing organization.

Position: Development Associate

Reports to: Director of Development

Position Summary

The Development Associate supports the Director of Development and External Affairs, alongside an External Affairs Associate, in raising general operating and program support for the Roosevelt Institute through database management, prospect research, proposal/correspondence writing and reporting, and stewardship. The Associate operates as a critical part of a three-person Development team in support of the President and CEO and works with program leaders and support staff across the Institute comprising: the Campus Network (a membership of 10,000+ college students focused on local policy activism), Pipeline (a growing membership of early career progressives), Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum (the first Presidential Museum built by FDR and located in Hyde Park, NY), and the Four Freedoms Center think tank (launched in 2009 to develop innovative ideas addressing contemporary challenges in the spirit and vision of both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt). The Associate also interfaces with board members through staffing of the FDR Library Board Committee and serves as a liaison with the Department of Finance to ensure appropriate allocation of donor contributions and report-backs.

This position is ideal for a motivated, entrepreneurial, and passionate early-career individual looking to build experience in a fundraising operation with exposure to progressive thinkers, activists, and historians. The Roosevelt Institute is a small but growing progressive policy and leadership development organization that is dedicated to preserving the legacy of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt. The successful candidate will have approximately two years of experience working in a development office, is familiar with and has a talent for improving and building upon systems to track and support fundraising goals (using a fundraising database), and has excellent communications skills.

Primary Responsibilities

  1. Improving and deepening our use of a fundraising database (Raiser’s Edge) to process donations/acknowledgments; track donor/prospect contacts in terms of research, cultivation, solicitations, and stewardship; grant proposal submissions and report deadlines (issuing reminders and ensuring all deadlines are met); and reporting on progress toward goals.
  2. Research individual and foundation prospects; brainstorm funder approaches.
  3. Draft/edit/submit grant proposals and funder reports for general and project funding.
  4. Liaise with Finance Department on a weekly, monthly, or as needed basis to ensure correct gift allocation, budget preparation for proposals, and reports.
  5. Plan and execute fundraising appeals and membership renewals.
  6. Provide administrative support to Development team and for the Institute as necessary and appropriate.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Min BA/four-year college degree required.
  • Two years’ experience in development office.
  • Experience with fundraising database systems essential (Raiser’s Edge preferred).
  • Excellent written and oral communications skills.
  • Energetic, extremely organized, detail oriented.
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
  • Proficiency in all Microsoft Office applications.
  • Interest in progressive politics and policy.
  • Must have sense of humor/pleasant demeanor.

Role Details

  • Location: New York City.
  • Out of Town Travel: Minimal (less than 5%).
  • Under the Fair Labor Standards Act Status, this position is exempt from overtime.
  • The Institute offers salary commensurate with experience and a generous benefits package.

About the Roosevelt Institute

The Roosevelt Institute works to carry forward the values and spirit of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, whether by celebrating those who have spent a lifetime embodying the Roosevelts' ideals, or by empowering emerging leaders to build a more progressive future.

The Institute is also home to the Roosevelt Campus Network, a network of more than 100 campus-based policy organizations with 13,000 members nationally. In early 2009, the Institute launched the Four Freedoms Center in order to bring the Roosevelts' ingenuity and ethos back to the world of policy and politics. Initially focused on economic and financial reform, the Four Freedoms Center has begun to expand with the addition of new fellows and new projects, creating an exciting, entrepreneurial atmosphere in our new NYC headquarters. Although the Institute has executed its mission for over two decades, its recent rebirth has called for a fresh approach led by a team with creativity and vision.

At Roosevelt, we want to push boundaries and define new ground for progressive thought leaders; we are looking for a savvy professional – someone with whom our message resonates strongly.

The Roosevelt Institute is an EEO/AA/ADA/IRCA Employer. We especially encourage applications from women, disabled persons, and people from diverse backgrounds. The Institute will provide appropriate accommodations for disabled persons.

Salary: Commensurate with experience; excellent benefits

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resume to rooseveltjob@rooseveltinstitute.org with “Development Associate” in the subject line. No calls, please.

Application deadline: ongoing until position is filled

Start deadline: Ideal start date: February 27, 2012