Senior Associate, Donor Relations and Development

POSITION: Senior Associate, Donor Relations and Development

REPORTS TO: Vice President, Donor Experience and Vice President of Development

LOCATION: New York, NY

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

WEBSITE: www.thenytrust.org

START DATE: June/July 2025

ABOUT US

As New York's largest community foundation, The New York Community Trust (The Trust) fosters and engages in enduring and innovative philanthropy, making grants that bring together the local knowledge and expertise of its team, nonprofits, and partners to help donors fulfill their vision for the causes they love. From education and the arts to health care and the environment, The Trust seeks to improve every aspect of the cultural and civic life of New York City, Long Island, and Westchester.

The Trust is a regional philanthropic leader, delivering nearly $200 million in grants in 2024 and more than $2 billion in the past decade. In addition to a distinguished competitive grantmaking program, The Trust hosts donor-advised funds (DAFs) that make grants throughout the United States as well as funder collaboratives that work on the cutting edge of philanthropy to improve the lives of New Yorkers.

Having celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2024, The Trust has long been a leader in the field, with innovations ranging from establishing the first donor-advised fund in the 1930s to making landmark grants, including some of the first to fight AIDS, build The High Line, support immigrant communities in the region, and respond quickly in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Senior Associate, Donor Relations and Development is responsible for providing project management and operations support for the Donor/Development Department. Responsibilities are focused on the department’s efforts to identify and cultivate new donors and provide outstanding support to existing donors. We aim to ensure that donors feel well-served, connected, and informed, resulting in greater awareness of and financial support for The Trust.

The Senior Associate, Donor Relations and Development role will allow the candidate to develop various skills and capabilities in fundraising, donor relations, and grants management.

The work of the Senior Associate, Donor Relations and Development, will be equally divided between two teams, reporting both to the Vice President, Donor Experience, and the Vice President of Development.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Donor and Grantee Engagement

• Support outreach efforts to cultivate new sources of referrals (e.g., CPAs, CFPs, attorneys, Women’s Advisory Council).
• Assist in Legacy Society relaunch, managing Community Needs Fund contributions, outreach efforts, and follow-up assignments.
• Support various tasks and timelines related to department special projects (e.g., tracking and monitoring monthly giving, developing and mailing donor acknowledgments).
• Communicate with nonprofit grantees and donor/advisors about grant payment and donor-advised fund activity.
• Utilize an email marketing platform to reach donors, prospects, and grantee organizations.
• Field telephone calls from donors/prospects who need information or guidance.

Data Management

• Research and track prospects in our database using Salesforce and other prospect research tools.
• Participate in grants management/processing tasks as grants are made from donor-advised and other funds at The Trust.
• Update The Trust database, as needed, while carrying out job responsibilities.
• Support donor acknowledgment/recognition process and recording of interactions in The Trust database.
• Manage the online donation portal, adjusting and adding donation pages or donor receipts as necessary.

Administrative & Operations Support

• Schedule, plan, and prepare for internal and external meetings, keeping departmental calendars and agendas current.
• Manage special mailings and communications with donors and prospects.
• Undertake occasional research projects as needed.

Requirements

The Trust supports skills-based hiring and will review several aspects of an application, including work experience (internships, volunteer work, project-based work, part/full-time employment, etc.), skill proficiencies, education (courses, certifications, college degrees, etc.), and involvement in professional and industry organizations.

• A minimum of three years’ related experience and/or training (e.g., administrative support) or an equivalent combination of education and experience; work with nonprofit and/or grantmaking organizations is preferred, particularly those with experience in fundraising, stewardship, and/or a client-facing role with high-net-worth individuals. General knowledge of fundraising and philanthropy acumen is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Experience using AI tools and e-marketing platforms (e.g., Emma) and Salesforce or similar CRM/fundraising databases is a plus.
• Ability to assist with occasional physical tasks, such as transporting boxed materials for special events or meetings.
• Flexibility to work outside standard business hours to support monthly donor and development events (10-12 events per year within the 8-county region of New York City, Long Island, and Westchester).

Competencies

Communication Skills

• Strong writing, communication, and relationship-building skills with co-workers, donors, and the public.
• Active listening skills to understand the donor’s values, motivations, and preferences regarding their charitable giving.
• High emotional intelligence skills to navigate sensitive conversations with donors.
• Strong concierge-level customer service skills.

Data Management Skills

• Effectively collect, organize, analyze, and utilize data for informed decision-making.

Organizational & Time Management Skills

• A commitment to quality, attention to detail, and the ability to manage projects and tasks independently with limited supervision.
• Ability to meet concurrent deadlines and organize time and priorities appropriately.
• Self-starter, resourceful, focused, and adaptable in a fast-paced, professional work environment.

Passion for The Trust’s mission & culture

• Possess a desire to support our mission, vision, and values.
• Ability to thrive in an interconnected staff ecosystem and collaborate with colleagues and departments regarding Trust-wide initiatives.

COMPENSATION

The annual starting salary range for the position is $70,000-$80,000 and is commensurate with the candidate's experience and education. The position is on-site at our New York office, and we follow a hybrid work model, which involves spending four days in the office and one day remote, with additional remote weeks available during the year and flexible remote days. The Trust offers excellent benefits, including a pension plan, an 8% employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan, partially subsidized medical insurance coverage & tiered medical plan offerings, generous paid time off, fully paid family bonding leave, and other benefits.

The Trust is a qualifying nonprofit organization defined by the Public Service Loan Forgiveness ("PSLF") Program. As such, Trust employees may claim their employment time on their application.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply through The Trust's HRIS platform, Paylocity. Please upload your resume, cover letter, and one-page writing sample as a PDF document. The candidate should solely author the writing sample and demonstrate strong business writing skills (e.g., memo, email summary).

The Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its recruitment and employment policies. In addition, The Trust will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities. We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility (DEIBA) initiatives and identifying qualified candidates who support The Trust's mission, vision, and values.

In compliance with federal law, all individuals hired will be required to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification.