Development Assistant

ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT

The Innocence Project works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and create fair, compassionate, and equitable systems of justice for everyone. Our work is guided by science and grounded in anti-racism. Since our inception, the Innocence Project has used DNA and other scientific advancements to prove wrongful conviction. To date, we have helped to free or exonerate more than 250 people who, collectively, spent more than 3,600 years behind bars. Our efforts have led to the passage of more than 200 transformative state laws and federal reforms. Today, the Innocence Project continues to fight for freedom, drive structural change, and advance the innocence movement. To learn more, please visit www.innocenceproject.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Development department is charged with funding the Innocence Project’s work by cultivating donors and prospects, soliciting donations, and stewarding those donors across the department’s various revenue lines which include individuals, foundations, and corporate entities.

The Development Assistant provides administrative and operational support to the Development department, assisting with donor communications, scheduling, gift processing, and departmental coordination. This role serves as a key front-line contact, ensuring timely responses, accurate data management, and smooth day-to-day operations in support of fundraising efforts. This full-time position reports to the Chief Development Officer.

We are interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas and we are not an e-verify employer.

The duties of this position require approximately 40 hours of work per week to be performed virtually/in-office. We currently have a hybrid in-office model, with all employees in the office three days per week and the remainder of the week remotely. Wednesday is our organization’s “anchor day” where all staff works in the office. The number of required in-office days is subject to change. 

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Innocence Project seeks a detail-oriented, collaborative communicator who is passionate about social justice, who is highly organized, and is skilled at multitasking across administrative, scheduling, and database responsibilities.

In addition, the ideal candidate models our IP Values of accountability, collaboration, empathy + compassion, equity, person-centeredness, quality focus, and self-awareness. All Innocence Project employees must embrace, respect and value the rich diversity of perspectives and lived experience of our staff.  We recognize and appreciate that our work is better for having varied participants and thought partners. The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in this type of environment. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATION & SUPPORT

• Process and track invoices, expenses, and reimbursements with the Finance Department in a timely and accurate manner
• Answer the department phone line, triage and respond to donor inquiries in a timely and accurate manner
• Serve as the primary front-line contact for the Development email inbox, monitoring and triaging incoming messages, responding directly when appropriate, and coordinating follow-up with team members and Gift Processing Associates as needed.
• Monitor, track, and refund or process misdirected funds to other Innocence network organizations.
• Track, order and maintain department inventory of stationery and office supplies. Work with the Office Manager to maintain supplies
• Assist with printing and mailing (incl. letters and packages) as well as returned mail
• Maintain organization of department files (including network drives, log-ins)
• Assist with editing donor materials
• Assist in preparing for and executing donor briefings both in person and remotely (including the preparation of donor one-sheets)
• Assist with coordinating and drafting Development Committee meeting materials and minutes
• Assist with onboarding new department employees; assist with Development orientation
• Oversee administrative volunteers, including interns
• Other departmental support as assigned

SCHEDULING DUTIES

• Assist the Chief Development Officer and development staff in scheduling meetings. 
• These include but are not limited to internal meetings, donor meetings, interviews, and vendor meetings. 
• Meetings are held in-person and virtually, and may include catering orders/reservations.
• Maintain and update the Development Department calendar 

GIFT PROCESSING AND DATABASE UPDATES