Development Specialist

TITLE: DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

LOCATION: The Open Door Shelter Inc., 4 Merritt Str., Norwalk, CT 06854

The Development Specialist supports the daily operations of Open Doors’ development department by maintaining donor records, processing and acknowledging gifts, responding to donor inquiries, coordinating data with Finance, and keeping fundraising information accurate and current. Working under the Director of Development and with department partners, the Specialist ensures timely donor follow-through and reliable information for fundraising decisions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Manage and maintain the donor database, ensuring donor and prospect records are complete, accurate, and consistent.
• Enter and process donations, pledges, and in-kind gifts promptly and accurately, including required acknowledgements, tax receipts, and thank-you letters.
• Partner with Finance to reconcile donations and coordinate accurate data transfers between financial and development systems.
• Communicate with donors to confirm information, process donations, and respond to routine inquiries.
• Coordinate approved donor communications related to birthdays, major life events, and other stewardship touchpoints.
• Notify Board members when donors they referred make gifts so they can provide timely personal thanks.
• Support new donor identification and conduct prospect research for the Director of Development.
• Provide administrative support to the Director and assist with department reports, communications, meetings, and follow-through.
• Assist the Manager of Donor Relations with the technical and administrative aspects of the annual gala, including drafting auction-item descriptions and assembling baskets or packages.
• Serve as the primary administrative contact for silent and live auction follow-up.
• Handle donor, financial, and organizational information with discretion and communicate with donors and colleagues accurately, respectfully, and consistently with Open Doors’ mission.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Two or more years of experience in nonprofit development operations, donor services, database administration, gift processing, finance administration, or a comparable detail-intensive role; an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to enter, review, reconcile, and report information accurately, including charitable gifts and tax acknowledgements.
• Ability to manage recurring responsibilities, deadlines, and competing priorities using organized tracking systems.
• Professional written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to handle confidential information responsibly.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and experience with or the ability to learn DonorPerfect or a comparable relationship management system.
• Familiarity with prospect research, grant tracking, recurring-gift administration, or fundraising event support.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The job’s incumbent(s) are responsible for performing other business-related duties as assigned by management. Open Doors is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions will be made without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, mental or physical disability, genetic predisposition, citizenship, marital status or status as victim of domestic violence, military status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Pay: $24.00 - $26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person