Development Associate

Job Purpose: 

The Development Associate organizes and implements systems to ensure effective and efficient development efforts. This team member serves as lead fundraising and grant writing staff for KOM.  The Development Associate will enhance efforts to secure and maintain grant funds by researching prospective funders, maintaining a grant application tracker and associated scheduling, and serve as lead for grant submittals and non-invoice related grants recordkeeping. They will also assist Program Directors to track outcomes for grant reports and internal evaluations. The Development Associate coordinates special events and plans to improve individual donor relations in collaboration with the Executive Directors and Board Development Committee.

Duties & Responsibilities

Grant Writing & Reporting (60%)

Manage grant writing and reporting efforts to meet funder requirements and increase organizational funding.

• Identify government and foundation opportunities for consideration by KOM’s Leadership Team 
• Collaborate with program staff and partner organizations to design effective, culturally responsive program plans  
• Gather program data, impact stories, regional trends, and scholarly research to inform and support KOM’s program activities 
• Write grant proposals to advance KOM’s programs in career pathways, social services, youth development, and community health 
• Assist Program Directors to complete grant revision requests and funder reports in a timely manner 
• Build/Maintain positive relationships with grant program officers through regular correspondence and invitations to attend KOM programs and events 

Development Planning (5%)

Create and carry out an annual development plan to meet KOM’s short-term and long-term goals in partnership with the Development Committee (KOM Executive Directors, board members, and ad-hoc volunteers) 

• Research best practices and emerging opportunities to enhance KOM’s donor relationships and public profile 
• Motivate and equip KOM’s Development Committee to carry out fundraising strategies including new donor cultivation, donor stewardship, and special events 
• Generate reports for KOM’s Development Committee and Board of Directors on the status and impact of fundraising strategies 

Donor Relations (15%)

Increase individual and corporate giving to the organization through outreach, cultivation, and stewardship of new and existing donors 

• Conduct prospect research and outreach to broaden individual and corporate donor base 
• Design creative fundraising campaigns to invite donors to engage with the organization in new ways 
• Support volunteer hosts to organize in-home fundraising parties through managing invitations and RSVPs, preparing event materials, planning the event program, and thanking attendees/contributors 
• Enter donor activity in KOM’s database (Little Green Light) 
• Send timely acknowledgement of donor contributions 
• Gather feedback from donors and Development Committee members to improve donor experiences with the organization 

Event Planning (10%)

Design and execute creative, engaging events that build awareness of KOM’s mission and impact and enhance relationships between KOM supporters 

• Lead KOM’s Gala Planning Committee to define annual event goals, program themes, and planning timelines 
• Communicate between Gala Planning Committee members and staff to track progress on planning 
• Cultivate new/increased sponsorships from mission-aligned organizations 
• Assist emcees and program speakers to prepare remarks for the event 
• Implement strategies to improve post-event engagement and donor cultivation  

Organizational Projects & Programs (5%)

Participate in other assignments as determined to support the strategic growth and success of the agency. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent relevant training and 1-3 years of fundraising experience. 
• Excellent communications skills – able to speak, read and write fluently in English is required.  Bi-lingual in Karen (Po or Sgaw), Karenni, Burmese or Thai preferred. 
• Valid driver’s license, insurance, and clean driving record 
• Able to work independently with refugee populations as well as public and community partners 

Required Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, & Behavior): 

• Demonstrated knowledge of the cultures of refugees and immigrants in the Twin Cities, particularly those from Burma (“Karen” diaspora) 
• Highly Competent using Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and database applications 
• Skilled in development and management of digital messaging 
• Able to research statistics, data from available sources external and internal to the agency as needed to prepare applications and support the timely and effective submittal of grant reports. 
• Comfortable with speaking in public in English and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds  

KOM is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, citizenship, veteran’s status, physical or mental disability that does not prohibit the performance of essential job functions (with or without reasonable accommodation) or any other basis protected by federal, or applicable, state or local law.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, individuals with lived experience as immigrants or refugees (or children of), and members of other historically marginalized groups.

To Apply:

Email a resume, letter of interest, and three professional references to Alice Buckner, Executive Director– humanresources@mnkaren.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.