Part-Time Development Associate
The War Resisters League (WRL) seeks an enthusiastic and experienced grassroots fundraiser, who brings initiative and works well collaboratively, to support our fundraising program, and increase our income, national visibility and membership base. The Development Associate, a part-time staff member based in our National Office in NYC, will support the work of the full-time Development and Membership Coordinator and volunteer Fundraising Committee to build relationships with donors, secure contributions and grow WRL’s membership base.
As one of the leading radical voices in the anti-war movement, WRL builds cross-movement analysis and international solidarity, offers anti-militarist organizing resources and training, supports conscientious objectors and GI resisters, challenges military recruitment, advocates for war tax resistance, and organizes nonviolent direct action. WRL’s Facing Tear Gas campaign challenges state violence and the militarization of policing, focusing on the use of tear gas as a repressive tool against social movements rising globally and domestically.
WRL does not rely on grants. Our work depends on individual contributions from members, donors and sustainers, in addition to bequests and legacy gifts. Strengthening our individual giving programs is our top fundraising priority. We operate with a grassroots fundraising philosophy, believing that membership development at any and all levels is key to long-term organizational stability.
Structure of Position
The War Resisters League has a non-hierarchical staffing structure that is accountable to multiple bodies within the organization. The National Office staff operates collectively and meets weekly, and is accountable to an Administrative Coordinating Committee (a local oversight body) which meets with staff monthly. Our work is directed by the National Committee of WRL, which meets face-to-face twice a year. All staff, part- and full-time attend ACC and National Committee meetings.
The Development Associate will work closely with the Development and Membership Coordinator and is accountable to the Fundraising Committee. The Development Associate works as a team member within our staff collective to support the daily work of the organization, including: strategizing program development and communications, administrative work and office maintenance, and direct communication with membership.
Major Tasks
The primary work of the Development Associate is to support the development of WRL’s individual donor base. Our grassroots fundraising model is based on the primacy of growing our member/donor base, fostering relationships with our member/donors, and working to both maintain and increase income from the different segments of our donor base.
The Development Associate: 1. Provides administrative support for individual donor and sustainer engagement, appeal mailings, and in-house phonebanking. 2. Manages and maintains the organization’s database. 3. Works with the Development and Membership Coordinator and National Organizing staff to develop an integrated communications and web-based fundraising strategy. 4. Cultivate members and major donors through face-to-face meetings, email and phone communication, and special mailings.
Skills/Qualifications
- Demonstrated fundraising experience and knowledge of development practices;
- Experience and comfort with grassroots fundraising work at all donor levels;
- Comfort discussing planned giving and asking for major gifts;
- Experience with membership development and prospecting;
- Proficiency with database queries and reports, spreadsheets, email blast systems, social media and willingness to do basic updates in content-management style website;
- Knowledge of or commitment to learn Salsa, our current fundraising software and database;
- Detail-oriented, responsible, and accountable. Familiarity with basic office operations and administrative work assumed;
- Willing and able to do administrative work related to fundraising, and contribute to office tasks;
- Strong written and verbal skills, including comfort with public speaking;
- Excellent time management, communication, and organizational skills;
- Demonstrated comfort with self-initiated work and managing multiple tasks simultaneously;
- Familiarity with peace and liberation movements;
- Comfortable in a non-hierarchical, politically invigorating and collaborative office setting;
This is a part-time salaried position (20 hours/week, plus occasional evening and weekend meetings). Yearly salary is $22,595 with full benefits, including health insurance, and paid vacation.
To Apply
Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to [email protected] with “Development Associate” in the subject line. Materials should be PDFs or Word files, with file names formatted as ‘Name_resume’, ‘Name_coverletter’. The deadline is: March 27, 2014.
The War Resisters League is actively committed to seeking the full representation and participation all people, including people of color, people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two-Spirit, Trans, and Gender Non Conforming (LGBTSTGNC), and people with disabilities (though it should be noted that the office is not wheelchair accessible), as well as people representing various ages, classes, and cultural backgrounds. Such diversity is sought throughout WRL’s staff and decision-making bodies. Allergy warning: WRL has an office cat.
The War Resisters League affirms that all war is a crime against humanity. We therefore are determined not to support any kind of war, international or civil, and to strive nonviolently for the removal of the causes of war, including racism, sexism and all forms of human exploitation.
-- Bryan Welton Development and Membership Coordinator War Resisters League 339 Lafayette Street New York, NY 10012 phone: 212.228.0450 [email protected] www.warresisters.org "The War Resisters League affirms that war is a crime against humanity. We therefore are determined not to support any kind of war, international or civil, and to strive nonviolently for the removal of all causes of war, including racism, sexism and all forms of exploitation."
