Development and Operations Associate

About StartOut

StartOut is the largest national non-profit focused on supporting scalable LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Our mission is to increase opportunity and success for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Our vision is a world where all entrepreneurs can thrive on a level playing field.

Founded in 2009, StartOut is a global community of over 18,000 members that works at the exciting intersection of entrepreneurship and the LGBTQ+ and allies community. StartOut’s services, network, and ecosystem are game-changing and life-changing for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs who need resources to build their businesses. According to the StartOut Index, of $2.1T in venture funding to U.S. start-ups, less than 0.5% went to openly LGBTQ+ founders. StartOut exists to level the playing field with our suite of programs, including:

• StartOut Growth Lab
• StartOut Spark Lab
• StartOut Con
• StartOut Awards
• Demo Day
• Mentorship Program
• Investor Portal & Access to Capital Program
• Education workshops
• Virtual and in-person events nationwide
• And more!

According to a survey of over 500 members, the most important resource we provide is community: a safe space where LGBTQ+ and allied founders can support each other and lead their businesses with authenticity. The StartOut staff proudly grows and empowers this community, encouraging everyone to bring their most authentic selves to work.

StartOut is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within StartOut, and within the greater LGBTQ+ and entrepreneurial communities. This includes inclusive hiring practices, an organizational commitment to equitable and inclusive conduct (outlined in our Code of Conduct.

Additionally, StartOut is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants of any race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, neurotype, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status. 

About the Role

The Development and Operations Associate (Part-Time) will play a critical role in supporting the internal operations of the Development team by facilitating high-impact fundraising campaigns and partnerships to ensure the long-term sustainability of StartOut. Supervised by the Chief Development Officer, this role will focus on developing and implementing fundraising strategies, collaborating with cross-functional teams to manage large-scale projects, and supporting the frontline fundraisers to advance StartOut’s mission. The position also provides administrative support to the Board of Directors and senior leadership, and manages the organization’s inbox. 

The ideal candidate will be highly organized and detail-oriented, possess excellent communication and collaboration skills, and have a strong interest in development/operations work.

Development (75%)

• Collaborate with the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and cross-functionally with Systems, Marketing, and Programs teams to plan, coordinate, and execute various development activities, partnerships, and events, ensuring their success and alignment with organizational goals.
• Support  the grant application processes including researching and writing draft applications, and collaborating with program staff to create compelling narratives.
• Assist in managing relationships with StartOut’s network of partners, by tracking goals, donations, tasks, and revenue . 
• Update boilerplate development pitch decks, sponsor documents, invitations, cultivation touchpoints, and additional materials and content as needed. 
• Work with Systems Manager to build and maintain Salesforce pipelines, reports, and dashboards for the Development team
• Track and update critical data for the development team including sponsorship revenue, event guest lists, Board Members’ annual give-get goals, and sponsorship renewals.
• Provide administrative support for the Development team at large.  
• Other tasks, duties, or special projects as assigned.

Operations (25%)

• Manage customer service for general organization inboxes, responding to inquiries, addressing requests, and ensuring that communications are directed to the appropriate team members or departments as needed.
• Provide administrative support to leadership, including scheduling and assisting in meetings, notetaking, preparing documents and expense reports, and handling other administrative responsibilities and special projects as needed.
• Electronically code and file expense receipts and revenue documentation for the bookkeeper and the Director of Operations.

Experiences and Qualifications

• Organized. Your background proves that you’re organized and detail oriented because the job requires a great volume of data entry, processes, CRM tracking, documentation, and working with multiple departments and stakeholders. 
• Proficient in Salesforce. You know how to navigate Salesforce or a similar CRM including entering donations, reports, queries, tasks, deliverables, leads, and contacts. 
• Collaborator. Recognized success in creating relationships with cross-functional teams from varying levels, working closely with colleagues to brainstorm ideas, discuss pros/cons, and develop ways forward.
• Communicator. Proven present skill in distilling complex information into compelling, easily digestible narratives; presents information in an inspiring and persuasive way; experienced in writing grant narratives.
• Operations Management. Has successfully balanced competing priorities, able to exercise judgment in managing those demands with an appropriate degree of autonomy. Experienced in managing complex projects with multiple resources and capable of allocating resources to achieve key objectives. Proven organizational, time, and task management skills, including the ability to prioritize work with a focus on delivering quality products on time. Demonstrated attention to detail.
• Service Delivery and Adaptability. Demonstrates a commitment to outstanding internal and external service to our colleagues, the individuals we serve, board members, and our donors/corporate partners. Demonstrated flexibility in the midst of change, being able to successfully juggle multiple deliverables and adapting to new situations with fresh ideas or innovative approaches. 
• Mission and Culture Alignment. Demonstrates awareness and support for StartOut’s mission and vision. Experience working with and/or commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. Understanding of entrepreneurship/venture capital ecosystem is a plus.  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficiency with Salesforce (or a similar database system) is preferred.
• One-to-two years of successful experience in (a) fundraising in a development program or other comparable charitable organization and/or (b) high-level sales, preferably in financial services or related fields. 
• Corporate fundraising experience is preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment. 
• Excellent communication, presentation, business development, organization, and computer/pc skills are required, including specifically proficiency in Google and MS Office products.
• Experience organizing Google Drive.
• Knowledge of using AI to augment work is a huge plus. 

This is a fully remote position and may  require limited travel for organization events, training and corporate meetings, approximately 1 to 3 times/year. Applicants must be based in the contiguous US, and StartOut is unable to provide visa sponsorship.

Status: Non-exempt

Reports to: Chief Development Officer

Supervises: None

Compensation and Benefits

• $25/hr; 20 hrs per week
• Unlimited time off 
• Professional development stipends
• Work from home equipment

Application Instructions

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample using the application link. For the writing sample, fundraising letters, grant proposals, campaigns, landing pages, and presentations are preferred. We are looking for a sample that demonstrates persuasive writing or presentation skills. Applications without a resume, cover letter and writing sample will not be considered.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we are seeking to fill this position in early 2026.

If you have trouble submitting through the link, have questions, or need any accommodations throughout this process, please email [email protected].