Development Associate

Who We Are: 

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is Massachusetts’ premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org. 

Posting Information: 

Salary: $50,000 

Hours per week: 40 

Job Classification: Full-Time, Exempt 

Job Type: Hybrid 

Location: Boston, MA 

What You’ll Do: 

Your Impact:  

In this entry level role as a Development Associate, you’ll be an integral part of a seasoned Development team, providing support for a variety of development initiatives and gaining experience and skills to help launch your career in the field. 

The Role: 

As the Development Associate you’ll contribute to a range of development activities to achieve annual revenue goals. You’ll primarily support senior development staff on critical projects, executing detail-oriented tasks efficiently and engaging effectively with donors. 

Specifically, you’ll be responsible for: 

Annual Fund (40%) 

• Mailings & Follow-Up Coordination: Organize and manage materials for quarterly development mailings, including addressing envelopes, formatting and printing letters, and prepping materials for distribution.   

• Donor Stewardship: Draft personalized thank-you notes for Founders Circle donors; log communications and actions in Salesforce. 

• New Member Engagement: Welcome new Founders Circle members; mail membership packets and assign outreach tasks in Salesforce. 

• Document Reprints: Handle requests for member card and tax acknowledgment letter reprints. 

• Donor Communications: Respond to inquiries and foster donor relationships via email and the Development phone line. 

Events (20% / seasonal) 

• Assist Events team with creating names badges for guests. 

• Attend and assist at events, including setup and cleanup. 

• Register guests and engage with donors to nurture relationships. 

 Development and Campaign Operations (40%) 

• Strategic Collaboration & Data Integrity: Partner with the Director of Development Operations to: 

• Confirm donor intent on incoming gifts and collaborate with FDS to identify stock gifts  

• Process solicitor portfolio updates 

• Log donor/solicitor actions and tasks to maintain accurate Salesforce records 

• Reporting & Prospecting Support 

• Generate custom queries and basic reports to aid major gift prospecting for gift officers 

• Assist the Prospect Research Manager in identifying and researching potential major gift donors 

• Development Database Oversight 

• Maintain real-time data accuracy and hygiene in Salesforce to support daily Development operations and ensure reliable donor records 

This is a full-time, exempt position (40 hours per week) reporting directly to the Director of Annual Fund. 

What You’ll Need: 

Skills and Experience: 

• 1 – 3 years of related work experience 

• High school diploma or GED 

• Bachelor’s Degree or Associates degree preferred 

• Excellent organizational and communication skills. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and Salesforce database. 

• Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently. 

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage with donors. 

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.  

Questions? Contact our People team at [email protected] 

Your Benefits:  

• Sick time: 15 days per year 

• Vacation time: 20 days per year  

• 12 observed holidays, 3 floating 

• Health insurance: You are eligible to participate in the Trustees health insurance benefit via Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). BCBS also offers additional benefits, such as fitness reimbursement and rewards for healthy habits.  

• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance 

• Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave 

• Life Insurance  

• 401k with 5% match after 1 year of employment 

• Employee Assistance Program: Free access to a confidential service that helps employees and their communities with personal and work-related issues, such as mental health support, counseling, and financial advice.  

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

• Day of Wonder: Spend one workday per year to exploring a Trustees property 

• Day of Service: Spend one workday per year to helping with a project at a Trustees property  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity: 

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.    

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity. 

 It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.  

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at [email protected].