Development Associate

POSITION SUMMARY : The Office of Development assists parishes and the diocese in programs that encourage and teach financial stewardship to parishioners. The office also helps design and implement comprehensive development programs to encourage financial giving by parishioners that provides financial resources for the ministries, programs and services of the diocese and parishes. The Bishop’s Lenten Appeal (BLA) provides annual funds for diocesan programs and ministries. The Offertory Program is offered to parishes to help increase their offertory revenue and encourage stewardship of parishioners. The Development Associate advises and assists the Director of Annual Appeals for three major program revenue areas that support the diocese, parishes, and schools: 1) the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal, 2) the Parish Offertory Program, and 3) the Diocese of Arlington Scholarship Foundation. This includes direct support to parish staff and donors via in-person, telephone, and written communication. PRINCIPAL DUTIES : Advises and assists the Director of Annual Appeals with all development activities related to the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal (BLA), Parish Offertory Program, and Diocese of Arlington Scholarship Foundation (DASF) including the creation, organization, and preparation of materials and assisting with outside vendors and mail houses. Manages donor inquiry processes to effectively resolve requests or routes to team member. Drafts, proofs, and edits materials for BLA events Prepares and sends monthly BLA acknowledgments; coordinates with outside mail house vendor to accomplish these communications. Assists Director of Annual Appeals with BLA and DASF mailings, to include copywriting, data querying, and collaboration with freelance graphic artist on BLA materials. Updates and maintains BLA information on the diocesan Development page website, both for public view and internal (parish) view. Upon request, uploads materials for other Development Office program directors on the Development website page. Provides communications support for various program areas in the Office of Development such as creating BLA and DASF ads (banner and print) for the Arlington Catholic Herald (ACH), and producing the DASF Annual Report. Works directly with ACH staff to create a series of BLA ads during March – June. Develops and manages BLA campaign emails to designated BLA donors using Mail Chimp software. This includes running queries in the database for email recipients. Works directly with Office of Communications to develop ads and write content for the BLA social media campaigns. Works directly with parish staff and volunteers to train them on processing BLA in-pew pledges during the BLA workshops and throughout the BLA campaign. Helps write training materials and announcements to guide them in their efforts to support the BLA. Crafts draft responses to various donor correspondence for the Director of Annual Appeal’s review. Provides investigative research for donor pledges and/or donations when required. Reviews, analyzes and generates reports from fundraising financial data for various campaigns in the Office of Development. Prepares special reports as needed for parishes, mailings, auditors or other needs when requested. Coordinates multiple BLA donor appreciation events. This includes securing locations for events, helping with the coordination of all aspects of the events from planning stages to the day of event. Attendance at events, which occasionally occur on weekends or evenings, is required. During BLA events, gives direction to donors and manages duties of on-site development staff assisting at the event. Presents at BLA training meetings (parish staff and volunteers). This includes securing locations or arranging Zoom Training Meetings and helping to coordinate various aspects of the meetings. Acts as a staff liaison to parishes. Assists in preparation of reports or presentations for various meetings that may include the Diocesan Finance Council, Pastors’ Meetings and other diocesan meetings or events. Attends meetings and acts as a scribe for Stewardship and Development Advisory Committee (SDAC) quarterly Meetings. After these meetings, prepares notes of all comments made at the meeting and works with Annual Appeal Director to synopsize. Coordinates email invitation to members of St. Paul Leadership Forum (90% are BLA donors). Develops invitation, response form, drafts email for approval, sends emails, manages RSVP’s to this event and assists in person at these four events with the Bishop. Assembles and prepares information or data from the iMIS BLA reporting module. Assists in creating weekly flash report and parish summary report to parishes during the peak months of the BLA campaign. Collaborates directly with graphic artist to write, design, and create materials including text for the table cards, PowerPoint slides, and posters presented at BLA donor events. During BLA campaign, assists with processing BLA in-pew pledges (typically Feb.- April). During the BLA campaign, collaborates with BLA staff with the in-pew processing and shipping of BLA materials to parishes. Trains and directs other Development office staff working on the BLA in-pew pledges, if BLA is not their primary task area. Oversees the DASF Inbox to respond to donors in a timely matter. This includes obtaining pre-approval for donations on behalf of DASF donors and providing guidance and direction to Development Admin Assistant in the processing of donations and providing time-sensitive required documentation to the Director of Annual Appeals for upload to the VA DOE portal. Collaborates with the Development Admin Assistant in supporting the DASF processing with check deposits and donor acknowledgement letters, when needed. Posts stewardship messages on parish bulletin portal on a quarterly basis. Also posts timely messages for parishes regarding specific second collections or other specified development efforts. Creates flyer for use at parishes and insertion in the Herald for the Retired diocesan priests Second Collection. Assists Chief Development Officer with weekly parish update reports that are used in conjunction with visits/events by the Bishop to identified parishes. Provides additional support to Chief Development Officer when needed by assisting with Development programs and projects within the scope of the position. Provides occasional support to other office development program areas as needed and directed. RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY : Supervision Received From the Director of Annual Appeal Programs. Physical Demands/Working Environment While performing the duties of this job, required to have ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weight of 10 – 50 pounds Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand, and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard, operate equipment and read Frequently required to sit, hear, talk and use repetitive motion of the hands/wrists Work performed in and out of the office setting. Must be available to attend events on occasional weekends or evenings during peak time. Work performed in an individual, well-lighted office. The space is wheelchair-accessible QUALIFICATIONS : Knowledge/Skills: Must be fully proficient in the MS Office suite of applications; intermediate proficiency at a minimum in Excel is required. Strong knowledge of Adobe Acrobat Pro, In-Design and Email Marketing software highly desirable. Must have the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and have an engaging and empathetic phone voice. Must have exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills with a service orientation. Must be accurate, detail oriented and be able to problem solve. The ability to work with confidential information and use discretion is required. Must be able to prioritize projects and work as a team player. Must be a self-starter, able to work with minimal supervision and handle multiple projects/priorities. Education Required: BS/BA in Communications, Business or equivalent degree and experience Years and Types of Experience: Three or more years of development experience, preferably in a non-profit organization. Experience with event planning and working with a contact relationship management (CRM) database for fundraising required.