Description

Development Associate

Friends of the Children – Western Montana

Friends of the Children–Western Montana is a growing nonprofit dedicated to breaking cycles of poverty and trauma through long-term, professional mentoring. Since launching in 2021, we have built strong momentum—expanding our work in Missoula and on the Flathead Reservation with the support of a committed community of partners and donors who believe deeply in our mission and the children and families we serve.

Our development program is strategic, relationship-driven, and highly effective—grounded in thoughtful systems, long-term donor engagement, and a clear vision for sustainable growth and impact.

As we continue to expand, we are seeking a Development Associate to play a key role in supporting this high-performing fundraising program and contributing to the next phase of our growth.

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative, mission-driven team and contribute to a development operation already making a measurable difference across Western Montana.

 
Position Objective

The Development Associate is an integral member of the development team, working in close partnership with the Development Director and Executive Director to achieve fundraising goals. This role supports and strengthens an established program that increases awareness and generates sustained, long-term support for the organization.

 
Key Responsibilities

Data Oversight & Analysis

Manage the donor database (Little Green Light) to ensure accurate recordkeeping and data integrity 
Maintain clean, complete constituent records 
Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to track progress toward goals 
Portfolio Management

Organize and manage a high volume of tasks tied to donor strategies and annual action plans 
Conduct prospect research and support portfolio development and maintenance 
Prepare weekly task reports for fundraisers (Development Director and Executive Director) 
Assist with donor strategy briefing memos 
Ensure timely and accurate data entry following donor interactions 
Donor Stewardship & Administration

Process gifts and acknowledgments on a timely, weekly basis 
Support monthly, quarterly, and annual reconciliation with the operations team 
Respond to donor inquiries via phone and email 
Assist with stewardship mailings, appeals, and event communications 
Provide operational support for development-related events 
Communications

Assist with design and editing of promotional materials 
Draft, coordinate, and distribute the monthly newsletter 
Manage social media content and posting 
Support email campaigns through Mailchimp (appeals, updates, invitations) 
Community & Donor Engagement

Secure corporate sponsorships for events 
Support planning and execution of community events 
Maintain a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects 
Team Participation

Engage actively in staff meetings, professional development, equity and inclusion work, and team initiatives 
 
Additional Requirements

Must possess or be willing to obtain a valid Montana Driver’s License 
Maintain an acceptable driving record and access to a reliable vehicle 
Must successfully pass a background check, including criminal and protective services clearances 
 

 
Salary & Benefits

Salary: $53,000 annually 
PTO & Holidays: 4 weeks PTO [JM1] [LF2] + 10 holidays 
Benefits: Employer covers !00% the employee only premium for comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability 
Retirement: 401(k) with 3% employer match 
Loan Forgiveness: Eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) 
 
Equal Opportunity Statement

Friends of the Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants. Friends of the Children hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.

Requirements

Ideal Candidate

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience 
Experience

1–2 years of experience in development, fundraising, or communications 
Skills

Experience using CRM to manage donor data (Little Green Light preferred) 
Proficient in sending communications through email platforms like Mailchimp
Creating marketing material using Canva and/or Adobe 
Comfortability using Microsoft Office Suite
Creating and posting social media contact
Strong written and verbal communication skills 
High attention to detail and strong organizational skills