Development Communications Associate Jobs in Portland, OR

Title: Development Specialist

Location: River House - NARA NW Administration Building - 211 SE Caruthers St, Portland OR, 97214

Schedule: Hybrid (after a probationary period), Min-Fri, 8:00am-4:30pm (with schedule flexibility)

Wage Range: $26.20 - $30.25, Non-Exempt, Hourly 

If you are a motivated and dedicated Development Specialist looking for an opportunity to contribute to an organization making a positive impact, we want to hear from you!

At NARA Northwest, you’ll find a supportive work environment where every team member is valued and respected. Whether you’re passionate about healthcare, behavioral health, education, or social services, there’s a place for you to make a meaningful difference.  

Company Mission:

The mission of NARA NW is to provide education, physical, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and anyone in need.

At NARA NW, we deliver services and support to Native American and Alaska Native communities, helping individuals lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.

With over 450 employees across a variety of programs—including medical and dental care, addiction treatment, housing assistance, and enrichment initiatives NARA NW offers numerous opportunities for growth and advancement, all while making a tangible, positive impact on the lives of others.

Position Overview:

The Development Specialist plays a key role in advancing NARA NW’s fundraising and philanthropic goals through funding research, grant development, donor database management, and development operations. Working closely with the Director, this position helps identify and secure funding opportunities, coordinates the development of grant proposals and reports, maintains accurate donor and funder records, and supports fundraising initiatives that strengthen the organization's mission and impact.

In addition to development and grant-related responsibilities, the position supports community engagement and fundraising events throughout the year and represents NARA NW at community gatherings, conferences, and other outreach activities. This is an excellent opportunity for an analytical, strong writer with nonprofit development experience who is interested in long-term professional growth and the potential to advance into development leadership.

What you will do:

• Research and identify prospective grant, foundation, corporate, and other funding opportunities.
• Ensure data integrity through accurate recordkeeping, gift tracking, funding pipeline management, and timely updates.
• Maintain donor, funder, and prospect information within the organization's CRM and donor database systems.
• Analyze data and prepare reports to assess progress and adjust strategy.
• Monitor deadlines, reporting requirements, and project timelines.
• Draft or assist with grant proposals, reports, thank you letters, and donor communications.
• Support donor cultivation and stewardship through meetings, events follow up, and personalized outreach.
• Assist with planning and implementation of fundraising, donor stewardship, and community engagement events.
• Participate in event planning and assist with logistics, activities, and donor engagement opportunities.
• Partner with program leaders, finance staff, grant accountants, and organizational leadership to develop compelling funding requests and project budgets.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to collect stories, impact data, outcomes, and organizational information for fundraising and grant proposals.
• Represent NARA NW at community events, conferences, meetings, trade shows, and cultural events.

Travel: Local travel throughout the workday may be required. Fleet vehicles are available for work-related travel. Occasional evening or weekend participation in community events may be requested. Approved drivers for NARA must have a valid & active drivers license, auto insurance, and clean driving record.

Key Role Functions:

• Funding and foundation research
• Grant/proposal writing
• CRM and donor database management
• Development reporting and analytics
• Budget development support
• Funder communications
• Independent project management
• Cross-functional collaboration

We would like to hear from people that have:

• Either:
  • Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (Nonprofit Management, Public/Business Administration, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Social Work, or related) and 1 year of professional grant development and fundraising experience
• Or:
  • Some higher education and 2 years grant development and fundraising experience
• Word processing skills and a working knowledge of MS Word, CRM, Spreadsheets.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to represent NARA NW in a professional manner.
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and maintain organization. 
• Must pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
• Must have a valid & active driver's license, auto insurance, and clean driving record.

• Experience working with Native American communities and/or Tribal organizations
• Demonstrated experience in technical writing, grant reporting, or donor communications
• Familiarity with nonprofit fundraising practices, donor stewardship, and community engagement

What’s in it for you?

15 Paid Holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Battle of Little Big Horn, Independence Day, Labor Day, Native American Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, December 25th and your birthday!

Benefits: Employees working 20 hours, or more are eligible for benefits. Benefits are effective from the 1st of the month following the date of hire. 

• Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance through Kaiser Permanente
• 15 Paid Holidays (Listed Above)
• 13 Paid Days of Sick Time
• 13 Paid Days of PTO (Vacation accruals increase with years of service to a maximum of 26 days)
• $50,000 Life Insurance & AD&D
• Short Term and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account 
• Health Spending Account
• 401(k) with 4% Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Inclement Weather Days (Snow Days)
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness -NARA NW is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit, FQHC

How to apply:

1. To Quick Apply, go to Careers – NARA NW (naranorthwest.org)
2. Look for the position you want to apply for and submit a resume (Required) and cover letter (Optional), that’s all!
3. Feel free to contact recruiting@naranorthwest.org if you have any questions or would like to know where your application is in the process.

Grant Writing • Fundraising • Development • Donor Relations • CRM Management • Prospect Research • Grant Research • Proposal Development • Budget Development • Nonprofit Development • Stewardship • Community Engagement • Relationship Building • Project Management • Data Tracking • Cross-Functional Collaboration

NARA NW Mission: Our mission is to provide education, physical and mental health services and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and everyone in need.

NARA NW is fully committed to supporting sobriety. To support NARA NW in its mission, all employees agree to refrain from illicit drug use, marijuana use, and prescription drug abuse, both on and off the job. In addition, all employees agree to model alcohol sobriety. Modeling alcohol sobriety means not consuming, discussing, or promoting the use of alcohol, on the job, on social media and when in the community where the employee would be likely to be seen by NARA NW clients or community. If in recovery, employees must have been sober/clean for a length of time sufficient to demonstrate that they will be able to remain sober.

Consistent with NARA NW’s sobriety policy, all employees, volunteers, interns, and contractors, as applicable, are required to sign a “Drug-Free/Alcohol-Free Workplace Certification Form” and NARA NW “Modeling Sobriety Policy Form” as a condition of employment to confirm that they are aware of this policy and that they agree to comply with it. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment. This policy is subject to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and its state counterpart

Preference in hiring is given to qualified Native Americans in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25, US Code, Sections 472 and 473). NARA Northwest is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Within the scope of Indian Preference, all candidates will receive equal consideration. Experience working with Native American/ Alaska Native community is considered a plus.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position’s activities and requirements, the agency reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties, as necessary.