Learning Development Associate Jobs in Buffalo, NY

Full Time - Starting at 55,000-60,000 annually

Turn Passion into Purpose! As a Development Associate at Beyond Support Network, you'll help create unforgettable events, inspire community support, and build meaningful relationships with donors and partners. Every fundraiser you coordinate, every connection you make, and every project you support helps create opportunities and enrich the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. If you love planning, collaborating, and making a real impact, we'd love to meet you!

Job Title: Development Associate

Division: Development

Reports to: Director of Development and Community Relations

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Job Grade: 12

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Development Associate is responsible for coordinating fundraising events, donor communications, community engagement activities, and development operations that advance the mission of Beyond Support Network (BSN) and it’s foundation. This position provides operational support for the BSN Foundation fundraising initiatives by planning and executing special events, coordinating donor stewardship activities, managing communications, and supporting community outreach efforts.

SUCCESSION PATH

Successful incumbents may be considered for advancement into the Director of Development & Community Relations position or other leadership opportunities based upon organizational need, demonstrated performance, and readiness.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Donor Stewardship & Development Support

• Prepare donor acknowledgment letters and recognition materials in a timely manner.
• Coordinate donor stewardship activities that strengthen long-term relationships.
• Maintain accurate donor records within the donor management system.
• Track sponsorship commitments and ensure fulfillment of sponsor benefits.
• Assist with annual giving campaigns, sponsorship solicitations, donor recognition initiatives, and fundraising appeals.
• Generate reports that support fundraising analysis and performance measurement.

Special Events Coordination

• Coordinate the planning, organization, and execution of fundraising events, donor appreciation activities, employee engagement events, and community outreach initiatives.
• Develop event timelines, planning documents, and project schedules to ensure successful execution.
• Coordinate venue selection, vendor relationships, catering, entertainment, rentals, and event logistics.
• Prepare registration materials, event programs, signage, sponsorship recognition materials, and participant communications.
• Coordinate volunteers, committees, and staff assigned to fundraising events.
• Provide on-site coordination during events, ensuring a positive experience for sponsors, donors, volunteers, and attendees.
• Assist with post-event evaluations, financial reconciliation, and recommendations for continuous improvement.

Communications & Community Engagement

• Develop and distribute newsletters, invitations, donor communications, event promotions, and organizational announcements.
• Maintain and update website content supporting fundraising campaigns, community engagement, and special events.
• Manage the Agency's social media platforms by creating, scheduling, publishing, and monitoring content that promotes the mission of Beyond Support Network.
• Coordinate communication calendars to ensure consistent messaging across multiple communication platforms.
• Collect stories, testimonials, photographs, and participant success stories that highlight organizational impact.
• Maintain a library of branded marketing materials, templates, photographs, and digital assets.
• Design flyers, invitations, posters, brochures, sponsorship packets, event programs, signage, banners, certificates, and other promotional materials.
• Create graphics for fundraising campaigns, donor communications, social media, and email marketing.
• Produce branded materials for special events and donor recognition.
• Maintain templates and creative assets to ensure consistency with organizational brand standards.
• Collaborate with the Development team to develop visually engaging fundraising campaigns and event materials.

Marketing Coordination

• Collaborate with internal departments and external marketing partners to produce print and digital materials supporting fundraising and community engagement.
• Coordinate the development and production of brochures, invitations, sponsorship packets, event programs, presentations, banners, signage, and other promotional materials, determining in-house or outsourced production as appropriate.
• Ensure all communications comply with Agency branding standards and visual identity guidelines.
• Assist in preparing annual reports, donor impact reports, and fundraising campaign materials.

Community Outreach

• Represent Beyond Support Network at community events, networking opportunities, and outreach activities as assigned.
• Assist in cultivating relationships with community organizations, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters.
• Coordinate volunteer participation for fundraising events and community initiatives.
• Promote awareness of Agency services, and fundraising opportunities throughout the community.

Administrative Support

• Maintain the Development Department calendar, event schedules, and planning timelines.
• Track event budgets and expenditures, preparing reports as requested.
• Coordinate department meetings, committee meetings, and volunteer communications.
• Organize electronic and paper records related to fundraising activities and events.
• Assist with special projects and departmental initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The Development Associate is expected to consistently demonstrate the following competencies:

Planning & Organizing: Coordinates multiple projects, deadlines, events, and communications while maintaining organization, accuracy, and attention to priorities.

Communication: Communicates professionally and effectively through written, verbal, and digital communication while fostering positive relationships with donors, volunteers, community partners, and staff.

Customer Focus: Provides exceptional service to donors, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners by responding promptly, anticipating needs, and representing Beyond Support Network in a professional and welcoming manner.

Attention to Detail: Produces accurate communications, event materials, donor records, and reports while ensuring deadlines, sponsorship commitments, and event logistics are completed with precision.

Teamwork & Collaboration: Works cooperatively with leadership, coworkers, volunteers, committees, vendors, and community partners to accomplish shared fundraising and organizational goals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience in event planning, communications, fundraising support, marketing, or nonprofit administration.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Strong organizational and project management abilities.

Demonstrated graphic design experience with a strong portfolio of print and digital marketing materials.

Advanced proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) and Canva is highly desirable.

Ability to translate ideas into professional, engaging promotional materials

Experience coordinating multiple projects with competing deadlines.

Desired:

Experience working in a nonprofit organization.

Experience with donor management or customer relationship management (CRM) software. Experience with DonorPerfect a plus.

Strong understanding of typography, layout, color, and visual communication principles.

Note: Applicants must be comfortable using computers and technology in a professional setting. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite is required, along with the ability and willingness to learn and utilize donor management systems, customer relationship management (CRM) software, social media management platforms, website content management systems, project management software, and organizational software systems.

This position requires flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends to support fundraising events, donor meetings, and community engagement activities.

Valid New York State Driver's License in good standing and reliable transportation