Development Associate

Jul 8

Anticipated Start Date: August 3, 2026

Description

The Shine Initiative seeks a full-time Development Associate to work closely with Shine’s Executive Director and with Shines staff on its ongoing fundraising efforts. This person will play a key role in advancing the organization's mission by supporting fundraising initiatives, grant research and management, donor engagement, and community partnerships.

Shine’s Development Associate will work to secure financial resources, strengthen community relationships, and expand awareness of the organization's impact on youth mental health. This position requires a person who is highly organized, has a “go-getter” attitude, is relationship-oriented, has an entrepreneurial spirit, a sense of humor and is passionate about youth mental health. Individuals with lived experience related to mental health, youth services, or community advocacy are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Grant & Foundation Support

Research prospective grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies.
Assist in preparing and submitting grant proposals, reports, and supporting documentation.
Maintain grant calendars, deadlines, and reporting schedules.
Track grant outcomes and collect program data for funder reports.
Support stewardship activities with foundation and institutional funders.

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

Assist in planning and executing fundraising campaigns and special events.
Manage donor records and data entry within Shines CRM
Prepare donor acknowledgment letters, gift processing, and stewardship communications.
Support individual donor cultivation and engagement activities.
Generate fundraising reports and assist with donor prospect research.

Community Networking and Partnerships

Assist with development-related communications, newsletters, and marketing materials.
Help gather stories, testimonials, and impact data to support fundraising efforts.
Support preparation of board reports and fundraising updates.
Perform other development and administrative duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelors Degree (required), MA (a plus)
Strong advocate for Shine’s mission
2-5 years of experience in nonprofit fund development
Demonstrated excellence in organizational, managerial, and communication skills
Ability to work as a team member
Familiarity with some types of CRM nonprofit software, donor databases and other fundraising technology.
Expertise in a few areas of fund development (major gifts, events, corporate giving, digital fundraising) preferred.
Ability to maintain positive team morale and maintain a positive atmosphere during high-pressure projects.

Core Capabilities