Development Coordinator- Business Strategies (Office of Development)
About Urban Institute:
At the Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. As a nonprofit focusing on social and economic policy, our researchers and policy entrepreneurs open minds, shape decisions, and identify transformative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time.
Our Mission
To open minds, shape decisions, and offer solutions through economic and social policy research.
Our Values
Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity
For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.
The Opportunity:
Urban’s Development team supports philanthropic fundraising across the Institute, supporting the president’s strategic initiatives and collaborating on major fundraising efforts in Urban’s 12 research centers. Reporting to the senior director, business strategies on the Development team, the development coordinator (business strategies) will play a key role in the growing business strategies unit, which works across the development team to support Urban’s fundraising efforts, with a particular focus on: enhancing fundraising efficiency with our Salesforce CRM; streamlining development gift operations; supporting donor stewardship; and coordinating with Urban’s technology, accounting, finance, and grants & contracts teams. The successful candidate will be a detail-oriented team player, excited to help build fundraising systems, and devoted to Urban’s mission to provide data and evidence to advance upward mobility and equity.
How you’ll contribute:
Innovate
- Explore new technology solutions for the development team, partnering with the senior director of development business strategies, Urban’s technology group, and Salesforce consultants.
- Develop and document ideas and process improvements to help the development team and Urban colleagues fundraise more efficiently and effectively.
Engage
- Draft donor correspondence and internal communications, including emails, memos, and process guides.
- Participate in meetings with other Urban teams to identify activities and opportunities relevant to fundraising and communicate findings to the development team.
- Assist in planning and staffing internal and external development events.
- Steward donors by confirming donor intent for new gifts, collaborate on donor acknowledgments and receipts, and help create Urban’s annual donor listing.
Organize
- Update donor and prospect records, and help systematize prospecting, solicitations, and gift processing.
- Prepare donor profiles and strategy memos for fundraising meetings, collecting project updates from research staff and compiling donor and prospect data from multiple sources.
- Schedule, participate in, and take notes in meetings. Determine action items and follow through as necessary to coordinate activities.
Translate
- Collect and summarize funder news for distribution to research center staff.
- Participate in listening sessions with development staff and other colleagues to discover needs and help translate these into Salesforce reports, dashboards, and other fundraising tools.
What you’ll bring:
Strong candidates will:
- Possess a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience needed to perform the development coordinator job duties), plus 1-2 years experience, ideally with fundraising, nonprofit development, or advancement services work or internship experience. Familiarity with basic nonprofit accounting principles is helpful but not required.
- Experience or demonstrated interest in Salesforce or similar customer relationship management (CRM) databases, such as Raiser’s Edge.
- Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, especially Word and Excel, and a willingness to learn new software and technology as needed. Experience with Smartsheet and similar tools is a plus.
- A track record of self-direction and an ability to work both independently and in teams while juggling multiple responsibilities under deadlines. An openness to try new approaches and adapt to shifting priorities and work environments.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including versatile writing skills.
- A commitment to integrity and professional ethics in working with confidential, sensitive information.
What you’ll experience:
No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country, and you can expect to be part of a welcoming, hybrid workplace. We are committed to cultivating a community and working in a manner defined by collaboration, equity, inclusivity, independence, and integrity.
Urban’s greatest asset is our people.
Urban is committed to supporting our staff’s physical, emotional, and financial well-being through a robust benefits package for yourself, eligible dependents, and domestic partners. It includes generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits. Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after five months of service and 1,000 hours, with immediate vesting. You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance coaching, an Employee Assistance Program, and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
As a federal contractor, Urban will comply with Executive Order (EO) 14042 which requires federal contractors, subcontractors, and their respective employees to comply with Covid-19 vaccinations. All Urban Institute employees must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and comply with masking and distancing requirements, regardless of responsibilities or work location. New hires must also be fully vaccinated before starting work. Employees may request exemption from vaccination against COVID-19 based on either a medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief that prevents them from being vaccinated. Where such an exemption is approved, Urban will discuss with each employee potential accommodation.
The Urban Institute has formally recognized the Urban Institute Employees’ Union, which is part of the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU). Urban management and the Union work together in good faith and are motivated by a shared commitment to this institution. This position is included in the Union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining negotiations.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the people assigned. This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.
The Urban Institute is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law.
We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@urban.org. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
The Urban Institute is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard for race, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other protected status under applicable law.
The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans.