Development Associate - Jacksonville

Job /

Position Title:

Development Associate

Supervisor:
Director of Development, Northeast

Status and Classification:
Full-Time and Non-Exempt

Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. From our humble beginnings with one boy’s wish to be a police officer, we have evolved to be one of the world’s leading children’s charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 400 volunteers, Make-A-Wish Central & Northern Florida granted 481 wishes last year.

The Development Associate plays a key role in supporting the fundraising, event and community engagement efforts of the Northeast Region of Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida. Reporting directly to the Director of Development, this position works closely with the Development and Events Manager to support major events such as the Wish Makers Ball and Walk for Wishes, as well as a variety of fundraising, cultivation and community events throughout the year.

The Development Associate will also support the broader development team and take ownership of assigned projects that advance regional fundraising and engagement goals. The position provides opportunities to develop skills in fundraising, event management, community engagement, professional networking and donor outreach while contributing to the mission of creating meaningful experiences for wish kids and their families.

The ideal candidate is creative, organized, relationship-oriented and eager to learn, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and contribute positively in a collaborative team environment.

Events, Community Engagement, and Development Support

• Support planning and execution of major development events including Wish Makers Ball, Walk for Wishes, Wish Makers Brunch, and other fundraising, cultivation and community events throughout the year.
• Work closely with the Development and Events Manager on event planning, logistics, sponsorship fulfillment, guest information, event materials, and other assigned needs.
• Lead and support inkind donor and auction item solicitation efforts for major development events, including researching and prospecting new donors, conducting outreach and followup and maintaining an organized pipeline of prospects, commitments and donated items.
• Support sponsorship fulfillment, ensuring sponsors receive all promised benefits accurately and within designated timelines.
• Lead peertopeer fundraising efforts and help engage participants, team captains, volunteers and community members.
• Represent MakeAWish through community networking and help build relationships with volunteers, donors, partners and other community members.
• Support Wish Alumni activities in the market in collaboration with the Wish Alumni Manager, including alumni fundraising, ambassadorship and storytelling efforts, as well as participation in Wish Alumni events and additional logistical support throughout the year.
• Support stewardship activities for the region ensuring constituents are properly recognized and thanked in a timely manner.
• Manage event information and communications using platforms such as One Cause, Team Raiser and other development tools.
• Support event websites, email communications and social media content to help promote events, recognize supporters and engage participants.
• Travel throughout the Central and Northeast regions, including Orlando, Jacksonville, St. Johns, Gainesville, Ocala and surrounding communities, as needed for events, meetings, community engagement and other development activities.

Creative and Communications Support

• Create polished and engaging presentations for Advisory Board meetings, sponsor recaps, donor meetings and other development needs.
• Create and update sponsor decks, flyers, programs, auction materials, signage, poster boards and other event materials.
• Support the Development Director with grant writing and report followup.
• Help ensure communications and materials are creative, accurate and consistent with the MakeAWish brand.

Team and Operational Support

• Manage assigned development projects from start to finish, keeping timelines, details and deadlines organized and communicating progress to the Director of Development.
• Maintain accurate Salesforce documentation and ensure constituent records, interactions and other relevant information are properly documented and up to date.
• Coordinate the collection, organization and…