Development and Grants Officer

The Opportunity:
The Development and Grants Officer will provide essential support in building fundraising capacity at Unity Environmental University. This is a hands-on role that will assist with donor engagement, grant research and writing, communications, stewardship, reporting, and event logistics. The Officer will work closely with the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and contribute to establishing a new development office from the ground up. The scope of this role is national in focus and does not involve donor or partner engagement in Maine.

This position is designed for someone early in their career who wants to learn the full spectrum of development work. The Officer will gain experience in donor communications, grants support, data management, and fundraising operations while contributing to campaigns and institutional priorities.

Day to day responsibilities:

• Fundraising and Donor Engagement
  • Assist with identification and research of prospective donors.
  • Research and create donor profiles as requested.
  • Draft donor communications including appeals, acknowledgments, impact stories, and updates.
  • Support planning and coordination of fundraising campaigns and giving initiatives.
  • Help track and document stewardship activities.
• Grants Support
  • Research and track funding opportunities from corporate, foundation, and government sources.
  • Assist with preparation of letters of intent, proposals, and budgets in collaboration with the CDO.
  • Help monitor compliance, reporting deadlines, and requirements for awarded grants.
  • Maintain a simple, organized grants pipeline and contribute to dashboards and reports.
• Communications and Events
  • Create and edit donor-centered content for newsletters, social media, and web platforms.
  • Support donor recognition and cultivation events by coordinating logistics such as invitations, registrations, and follow-up.
  • Contribute to event documentation and post-event stewardship communications.
• Data and Reporting
  • Maintain accurate donor and grant records in Salesforce (or equivalent).
  • Run reports to support donor tracking, campaign performance, and grant progress.
  • Provide regular updates that inform decision-making and demonstrate progress toward goals.
• General Support
  • Provide project coordination support to the CDO.
  • Assist with special projects and outreach that advance Unity’s fundraising and enterprise revenue goals.
  • Contribute ideas for continuous improvement in a lean, start-up environment.
  • Maintain confidentiality regarding donor and institutional information.

Do you have the skills?

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• One to three years of experience in fundraising, grants, communications, or related nonprofit work.
• Strong writing skills with experience in donor communications or grant support.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a diverse range of individuals and groups, both in person and through phone, Zoom, and other technology platforms.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to deadlines and detail.
• Familiarity with fundraising databases (Salesforce preferred).
• Creative and adaptable, with the ability to thrive in a start-up environment.
• Ability to function effectively within a matrix organizational structure, maintaining open lines of communication while being discreet, courteous, and well poised.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends