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Association of Fundraising Professionals

Development Associate

Association of Fundraising Professionals, Farmington, Pennsylvania, United States

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Job Title:

Development Associate Reports To:

Executive Director Location:

Farmington, PA

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt Touchstone will consider part-time candidates. Applicants interested in part-time employment should indicate this in their cover letter; compensation and benefits eligibility will be adjusted accordingly.

Position Summary The Development Associate plays a key role in building relationships, generating financial support, and advancing the organization’s long-term sustainability. This position leads individual and corporate giving efforts, maintains, and oversees the donor database, and manages the organization’s membership program. Working closely with the Executive Director, board members, and staff, the Development Associate helps design and execute fundraising strategies that support Touchstone’s mission and goals. In addition to these core responsibilities, the role will assist with grant administration, volunteer management, and special events.

About Touchstone Center for Crafts Touchstone Center for Crafts is a nationally recognized craft school dedicated to fostering creativity and artistic expression. Nestled in the scenic Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, Touchstone offers immersive workshops in blacksmithing, ceramics, drawing, painting, glass, and other fine crafts. As a unique destination for artists of all skill levels, Touchstone provides a supportive environment where participants can connect, create, and learn from nationally and internationally renowned instructors. The center’s commitment to education, innovation, and community engagement has made it a vital resource for artists and craft enthusiasts for over 50 years.

Touchstone is at an exciting time of growth, including the opening of a second location in nearby Ohiopyle, expanding our ability to serve artists, deepen community engagement, and broaden our educational impact.

Key Responsibilities Individual Donor Giving

Develop and implement strategies to grow individual giving by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors at all levels.

Create personalized donor engagement plans to strengthen relationships and improve retention.

Plan and execute donor appreciation events, site visits, and other engagement initiatives.

Conduct research on estate planning tools like wills, trusts & estate law to inform donor engagement strategies related to planned giving programs.

Database Management

Oversee the donor database, ensuring data integrity, accuracy, and security.

Manage donor records, gift processing, and acknowledgment processes.

Generate donor reports, giving analyses, and campaign performance metrics.

Ensure compliance with donor privacy policies and applicable fundraising regulations.

Membership Management

Develop and implement strategies to grow and retain Touchstone’s membership base.

Oversee member communications, renewals, and benefit fulfillment.

Plan and coordinate membership events and engagement opportunities.

Monitor membership trends and recommend strategies to enhance the member experience.

Additional Responsibilities

Collaborate with the team on strategic planning initiatives that align fundraising goals with organizational priorities.

Collaborate with marketing and communications staff to develop fundraising materials, campaigns, and donor communications.

Support the Executive Director with grant management and foundation relations.

Support board members’ fundraising activities by providing guidance, materials, and engagement strategies.

Serve as an ambassador for Touchstone, representing the organization at events and in the community.

Cultivate relationships with donors, partners, volunteers, and community stakeholders through personalized communication strategies and public relations efforts.

Support budgeting processes for fundraising activities by tracking expenses and preparing reports to ensure financial accountability.

Assist in planning and executing special events, including logistics, vendor coordination, and volunteer management to ensure successful outcomes.

Oversee volunteer management efforts for events and ongoing projects to maximize community involvement.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree

2-5 years of nonprofit fundraising experience, with an emphasis on individual giving, donor database management, and membership programs.

Experience managing donor databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce, or similar platforms).

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build meaningful relationships with donors, board members, and staff.

Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.

Solid understanding of moves management and donor cultivation.

Experience planning and executing special events.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working in arts and culture organizations, or a strong passion for the arts.

CFRE Certification

Proven success working on fundraising campaigns and growing membership programs.

Demonstrated success supporting volunteer leadership and engaging board members in fundraising efforts.

Work Environment

Touchstone recognizes that technology enables workplace flexibility. This role may allow for remote work on a hybrid basis, but it cannot be fully remote.

Typical schedule is Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with fluctuations throughout the year based on organizational and employee needs as well as special events.

Special events require attendance and may take place on campus or at off-site locations outside of typical working hours.

Compensation & Benefits

$50,000

Full time benefits package includes medical insurance, retirement plan, and paid time off.

Professional development and growth opportunities.

Additional organizational benefits, including workshop tuition discounts.

To Apply Please submit a cover letter and three professional reference contacts to employment@touchstonecrafts.org by January 9.

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