Position Summary:
Reporting to the Director of Development, the Development Specialist will play a key role in advancing the International OCD Foundation's (IOCDF) long-term goal to significantly grow annual fundraising by helping to further develop and implement individual and mid-level giving strategies. The Development Specialist will have a unique opportunity to design and lead dynamic individual giving initiatives, strengthen donor relations, and help build a sustainable development program for the long term. The ideal candidate is a self-starter with a background in individual giving, strong writing skills, an understanding of fundraising best practices, and a passion for the IOCDF's mission to support those impacted by OCD and related disorders. This role is well-suited for individuals dedicated to a career in fundraising development, with opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
Key Responsibilities:- Provide support to the Director of Development and the Development Team to meet annual fundraising goals.
- Contribute to year-round engagement, stewardship, and segmented communication strategies to increase donor retention and boost mid-level giving, including grassroots, workplace, and peer-to-peer fundraising, and the annual year-end giving campaign.
- Serve as primary writer and project manager for direct mail appeals and digital fundraising initiatives, including the annual report.
- Collaborate with the community, external vendors, and IOCDF Staff to share impactful stories and develop compelling content.
- Assist in implementing donor journeys to strengthen the donor pipeline.
- Work with the Development Team to regularly update IOCDF web and donation pages, in alignment with current fundraising trends.
- Effectively communicate with donors, responding to inquiries and cultivating relationships to advance them through the pipeline.
- Collaborate with fundraisers, advocates, and affiliates to increase giving and share impactful stories with the IOCDF community.
- Collaborate on content development to share donor impact through website, email, and social media
- Assist with segmenting and managing donor contacts in the database and wealth screening tools, including for mailing lists, maintaining data accuracy and integrity.
- Leverage fundraising systems to track individual giving and generate reports to track progress.
- Contribute to donor-focused event planning as needed.
- Stay informed on philanthropic trends, specifically in grassroots, mid-level, and annual fund giving, to drive innovation in individual giving.
- Collaborate with the Walk Team to grow fundraising and retention for OCD Walks, and assist as needed with related fundraising initiatives.
Qualifications:
A 4-year degree in a related field from an accredited college or university is preferred.2-4 years of experience in a fundraising development or related role.
Knowledge of nonprofit fundraising practices and ethical standards.
Track record of success in growing individual giving programs.
Proficiency with donor CRM, Salesforce NPSP preferred.
Familiarity with online fundraising platforms, such as GoFundMe Pro (previously known as Classy) and wealth screening software.
Strong writing skills.
Basic experience with design tools, with Canva preferred.
Knowledge of digital marketing for fundraising.
Strong project management skills, with a demonstrated ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and solve problems effectively.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and writing skills, with a collaborative, team-oriented mindset.
Travel & Schedule:
Travel is required for the Annual OCD Conference, typically held each July. This is a full-time, Boston-based position with a hybrid schedule of three days per week in the office.
