Development Associate

Who we are:

Flatbush Cats is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to reduce overcrowded animal shelters in New York City and prevent more cats from ending up on the street in the first place. What began as a grassroots rescue effort has grown into a citywide organization addressing the root causes through affordable veterinary care, access to spay/neuter services, and community outreach.

At the heart of our work is Flatbush Veterinary Clinic, a high-volume nonprofit clinic serving low-income pet owners, rescue organizations, and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) volunteers throughout Brooklyn. Each year, the clinic performs more than 7,500 spay/neuter surgeries—a number that continues to grow—while providing affordable wellness and dental care to thousands of pets.

By combining high-quality veterinary care with a commitment to accessibility, we're helping keep pets with their families while creating a city where more people and pets can receive the support they need.

What you’ll do:

We’re entering a new phase of growth, building on the momentum behind our work while staying focused on a simple philosophy: We focus on a few things and do them exceptionally well while building a community of supporters who believe in our vision. 

But fundraising doesn’t run on good intentions alone. It runs on systems, details, follow-through, and trust.

The Development Associate will play a critical role in ensuring the infrastructure behind our donor relationships operates smoothly and accurately. This collaborative, detail-oriented role supports the development team by managing donor data, processing gifts, preparing reports and materials, and ensuring every interaction is timely and thoughtful.

You’ll work closely with a capable and growing team, with strong leadership support and a deeply committed board. This role is designed with realistic expectations, meaningful onboarding, and the space needed to succeed.

This role is ideal for someone who is:

  • Deeply passionate about our mission

  • Exceptionally organized and attentive to detail

  • Dependable and accountable for their work

  • Personable, professional, and comfortable working with people

  • Calm and solution-oriented when challenges arise

  • Curious and quick to learn new systems and tools

  • Open to feedback and committed to continuous improvement

Work Schedule:

This is a full-time, hybrid position based in Brooklyn, New York, with four days per week in the office.

What you’ll get:

Compensation

  • The hiring range is $66,500–$75,000 annually, based on experience, skills, and qualifications.

Benefits 

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% employer-paid premiums

  • Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) fully funded to cover the plan deductible

  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) with optional employee enrollment

  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer match: 100% match on the first 3% of contributions, plus 50% match on contributions up to 5%

  • Transit and parking benefit: $60 monthly employer contribution

  • Paid time off

  • Paid sick time

  • Paid holidays

Responsibilities:

Donor Data & CRM Management

  • Own the accuracy, structure, and integrity of donor data within Salesforce

  • Manage gift processing workflows, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance

  • Develop and maintain reporting tools that support team decision-making

  • Conduct routine data audits to ensure accuracy and consistency

  • Analyze donor data and reporting outputs to identify trends, inconsistencies, or opportunities

  • Ensure reporting accuracy and usability for strategic decision-making

  • Demonstrate discretion and judgment when handling sensitive donor information

Gift Processing & Donor Communication 

  • Independently manage donor communications related to gifts, records, and inquiries across email and phone

  • Resolve issues with discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment

  • Determine appropriate next steps and prioritize responses across competing needs

  • Oversee timely and accurate gift entry, reconciliation, and acknowledgment workflows

  • Ensure donor interactions reflect organizational standards and reinforce trust

  • Identify when to escalate complex issues and when to resolve independently

  • Document communications to maintain continuity, accuracy, and institutional knowledge

Development Operations & Coordination

  • Prepare donor briefings and background research to support meetings and relationship management

  • Manage scheduling and coordination of donor meetings and follow-ups

  • Support execution of event logistics and campaign-related activities

  • Develop and pull segmented lists for targeted outreach efforts

  • Build and format Mailchimp email templates and campaigns as assigned

  • Maintain email-list data, including merge fields, unsubscribes, suppressions, and related automations

  • Maintain organized systems for digital files and documentation

Prospect Research Support

  • Conduct and synthesize prospect research to support donor cultivation strategy

  • Identify potential new major and mid-level donors using available data and tools

  • Develop clear, actionable summaries to inform team decision-making

Team Collaboration

  • Serve as a reliable, responsive team member who anticipates needs and solves problems proactively

  • Learn and master the tools and systems the team uses (CRM, email platforms, project management tools)

  • Identify, implement, and refine process improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and consistency across workflows

  • Contribute to a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

Required

  • 2+ years of administrative, development, operations, or database management experience 

    • May come from internships, part-time roles, school projects, or volunteer experience.

  • Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

  • Comfortable interacting professionally with donors and external stakeholders

  • Demonstrated ability to learn new software systems quickly and thoroughly

  • Experience working with databases or CRM systems

  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines consistently

  • Strong sense of accountability and follow-through

Preferred

  • Experience in a nonprofit fundraising environment

  • Familiarity with donor database best practices and reporting

  • Experience supporting fundraising events or campaigns

  • Experience with Salesforce