Development Coordinator Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) Washington, DC
Department: Development
Reports to:
Vice President for DevelopmentFLSA Status: Exempt/Full-Time In-Office/HuySalary: $70,000-80,000
Position Overview:
The Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE), a leading nonpartisan research organization dedicated to strengthening global economic policy, seeks a highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive Development Coordinator to support the Institute’s fundraising, donor engagement, and development operations. Reporting to the Vice President for Development, the Development Coordinator will play an important role in advancing PIIE’s mission by supporting donor stewardship, grant reporting, development operations, prospect research, and institutional outreach. The position will collaborate with colleagues across the Institute to support strategic fundraising initiatives involving individuals, foundations, corporations, and other institutional partners. The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator and highly organized professional who can manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate and confidential records, meet deadlines, and provide thoughtful support to donor-facing activities.
Key Responsibilities: Donor Relations & Stewardship
- Coordinate donor communications, including acknowledgments, correspondence, and stewardship materials.
- Track donor engagement and support the cultivation and stewardship of prospective and current donors.
- Assist in preparing briefing materials, background information, and other resources for meetings between senior leadership and donors or prospects.
- Support timely follow-up with donors and prospects following meetings, events, and other engagement opportunities.
- Help maintain strong and professional relationships with PIIE’s donor community. Grant Reporting & Records Management
- Coordinate the tracking, preparation, and timely submission of grant reports for foundation and institutional funders.
- Maintain comprehensive and up-to-date grant files, including agreements, reporting schedules, deadlines, deliverables, and supporting documentation.
- Coordinate with research, finance, and other internal teams to gather required programmatic and financial information for grant reports.
- Help ensure compliance with donor requirements, reporting deadlines, and documentation standards.
- Support the preparation of grant summaries, internal reports, and development dashboards.
- Monitor upcoming reporting requirements and proactively communicate deadlines to relevant staff. Development Operations
- Maintain and update donor and prospect records in Salesforce, ensuring a high degree of accuracy, consistency, and data integrity.
- Process and record gifts and support timely donor acknowledgments and reporting.
- Support prospect tracking, fundraising pipeline management, and development reporting through Salesforce.
- Maintain accurate records of donor interactions, commitments, correspondence, and follow-up activities.
- Assist with the preparation of development reports, donor lists, and other information needed by the Vice President for Development and Institute leadership.
- Support the ongoing maintenance and organization of donor data, contact information, and development records in Salesforce.
- Handle donor and institutional information with appropriate discretion and confidentiality. Research & Prospecting
- Conduct background research on current and prospective donors, including individuals, foundations, corporations, and other institutional funders.
- Identify potential funding opportunities aligned with PIIE’s research priorities and institutional mission.
- Prepare concise prospect profiles and research summaries to support cultivation and solicitation strategies.
- Monitor relevant philanthropic and funding trends that may present opportunities for the Institute.
- Maintain organized prospect research and related documentation within Salesforce. Events, Meetings & Development Support
- Coordinate logistics and materials for donor meetings, cultivation events, and other development-related activities.
- Assist with scheduling, invitations, attendee tracking, briefing materials, and follow-up communications.
- Prepare presentations, donor correspondence, reports, and other materials for the Vice President for Development and Institute leadership.
- Collaborate across departments to support development initiatives and ensure the timely completion of fundraising priorities.
- Provide administrative and project support to the Vice President for Development.
- Assist with special projects and other development responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications:- Approximately 2–4 years of professional experience, preferably in development, fundraising, donor relations, nonprofit administration, philanthropy, higher education, or a related field.
- Excellent organizational and project management skills with strong attention to detail.
- Ability to initiate, prioritize, and follow through on multiple assignments while meeting deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when handling confidential donor and institutional information.
- Experience working with Salesforce or a comparable CRM/donor management system is strongly preferred.
- Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Ability to conduct prospect research, synthesize information, and prepare clear and concise written materials.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively across departments.
- Ability to interact professionally and comfortably with donors, senior leadership, colleagues, and external stakeholders.
- Ability to anticipate needs, take initiative, and proactively identify appropriate next steps.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced professional environment.
- Interest in PIIE’s mission and international economic policy is preferred. Education / Experience A four-year bachelor’s degree is preferred. Relevant professional experience in development, fundraising, donor relations, nonprofit administration, or a related field may be considered in combination with education and experience. Compensation The anticipated annual salary range for this full-time position is $70,000–$80,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Benefits, Health, and Wellness
- Tuition Reimbursement: PIIE supports employee development by offering tuition reimbursement for higher education, including Associate, Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD programs. Full-time employees working 30 hours or more per week are eligible after six months of employment. Reimbursement is limited to $10,000 per semester (up to $20,000 per calendar year) and covers tuition, books, application fees, and course fees directly related to coursework. Employees must submit a written request at least four weeks before class enrollment and meet all other eligibility requirements, including maintaining a grade of B or higher.
- Premium Medical Plans: PIIE fully covers premiums for vision, dental, and life insurance for employees and their families.
- Comprehensive Health Benefits: PIIE prioritizes the well-being of its employees with a robust benefits package, including cost-effective medical plans through Aetna. These plans provide access to quality healthcare and cater to diverse individual needs. Commuting Made Easy
- Metro Fare and Parking: PIIE covers Metro fare and parking costs, whether employees commute by Metro or drive.
Physical Demands
This position typically requires extended periods of working at a desk and using a computer, including a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. The position may also require walking throughout the office and occasional lifting or moving of materials associated with meetings and events.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Work Environment
This position is based at PIIE’s office in Washington, DC and operates in a professional office environment. The Development Coordinator will work collaboratively with colleagues across the Institute and may interact regularly with donors, visitors, and other external stakeholders.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Schedule
This is a full-time position, generally Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week. The position participates in PIIE’s hybrid work environment. Some flexibility and additional in-office attendance may be required based on donor meetings, development events, and other Institute needs.
Application Process:
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and only complete submissions will be considered. To apply, please send the following materials to :
- Resume.
- Cover letter.
- Unofficial undergraduate transcript (and graduate transcript, if applicable).
- Names and contact information for three (3) academic or professional references.
Please include “Development Coordinator” in the subject line of your email.
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.Diversity and Inclusion
The Peterson Institute embraces diversity and encourages applications from candidates with varied backgrounds and experiences. We are an equal-opportunity employer, committed to creating a vibrant and inclusive workplace.
Join us at PIIE and help strengthen the relationships and resources that make our independent, high-quality economic policy research possible.
