Development Associate

Position Description 

ABOUT UNITED RELIGIONS INITIATIVE

Founded in 2000, United Religions Initiative (URI) is a global interfaith network that promotes peace and justice by engaging people at the grassroots level to bridge religious and cultural differences and work together for the good of their communities and the world.

The purpose of URI is to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings. Grassroots groups called Cooperation Circles (CCs) are the foundational unit, the center and the life of URI. Self-governing and self-funding, they bring people of all beliefs together to address the most pressing issues facing their communities, building bridges of compassion and understanding between people of different religious and cultural traditions. The global network presently consists of over 1,000 CCs in over 110 nations.

Working together, groups of URI members from diverse belief traditions identify and address pressing problems with grassroots ingenuity.  Projects and programs undertaken by our CCs serve one or more of 14 Action Areas including the Environment, Health & Social Services, Human Rights, Indigenous Peoples, Peacebuilding, Women, and Youth.

URI cultivates and uplifts the CC network through eight regional offices around the world and a Global Support Office in San Francisco. URI is governed by a Global Council of Trustees elected by and from member CCs.  For more information visit www.uri.org.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

The Development Associate works closely with the Director of Institutional Advancement, the Director of Development, and the Executive Director in researching and implementing strategies to raise funds from institutional donors, including foundations, governmental agencies and corporations.


ROLE: Grant Research, Writing, and Donor Relations (90%)

  • Partners with the Director of Institutional Advancement, Development Director, Executive Director, and other stakeholders to develop and implement institutional fundraising strategies, develop relationships, and perform other development-related activities.
     
  • Identifies potential institutional donors including governmental agencies, corporations, and foundations in the United States, and globally as applicable.
     
  • Targets institutional donors to provide funds for regional and global efforts.
     
  • Researches and drafts persuasive proposals, case statements, reports, correspondence, and other development-related communication materials pertaining to institutional donors.
     
  • Collaborates in the preparation of grant proposal approaches, budgets, timelines, forms, and other documents with appropriate staff, seeking inputs from relevant stakeholders.
     
  • Supports Global Programs and Development departments in ensuring existing and new grants meet reporting deadlines and other compliances.
     
  • Collaborates with Communications and Development teams to promote relationships with funding partners, and stories related to grant outcomes.

ROLE: Administrative Responsibilities (10%)

  • Maintains small databases (Salesforce, Google Drive, and elsewhere as necessary) on URI Partners and prospective Partners, institutional donors and prospects, providing pertinent information, grant criteria, timelines, etc.
  • Supports the Development Department in processing donations including preparing and sending acknowledgment letters, as necessary.
  • Provides support for fundraising events as needed.

Competencies include:

  • Demonstrated success in securing donations/grants from corporations, foundations, government agencies, etc.
  • Demonstrated ability to plan and implement long- and short-range development initiatives on deadline.
  • Working knowledge of a variety of grants-based fundraising strategies and methods.
  • Demonstrated experience with institutional fundraising databases.
  • Strong skills in organizing resources, establishing priorities, advising on programmatic approaches, attention to detail and follow-up.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills in the English language.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interact with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse global community.
  • Ability to:
  1. conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare proposals, reports and other materials;
  2. exercise good judgment;
  3. demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to institutional development activities;
  4. use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others;
  5. foster effective working relationships and strong collaboration within a team environment; and
  6. work effectively as part of a remote team.
  • Commitment to personal and organizational learning as part of a diverse global community.
  • Able to communicate clearly and constructively, even in light of challenging issues or deadlines.
  • Commitment to embrace & model URI’s vision & values as described in the Preamble, Purpose and Principles.
  • Interfaith and/or intercultural experience preferred.

Education/Experience:

  • Minimum – BA Degree
  • 3+ years of applicable experience in the nonprofit sector

Term: This is a full-time position, 5 days per week. 

Salary: Commensurate with skills and experience.

Location: The successful candidate will live in the United States of America and shall be legally permitted to work within the USA.


APPLICATION GUIDELINES

To Apply:  Send a cover letter stating why you believe your qualifications are a match for the position, your résumé and two references to [email protected]. Please write “Application for Development Associate Position” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until June 18, 2021, or until the position is filled.