Development Specialist

Job Title: Development Specialist

Reports To: Chief Development Officer

Location: 211 Minor Street (Community-facing with local travel)

Classification: Full-Time, Salary, Exempt

Schedule: 36 hours weekly, Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm. Requires flexible evening and weekend event availability.

 

Who We Are

Since 1924, the Northside Neighborhood House has focused on empowering residents north of the Tennessee River to create thriving communities across northern Hamilton County. From ensuring individuals are housed with working utilities to supporting students in achieving academic success, the NNH focuses on creating relationships and connecting individuals to support that aids them in creating stability for themselves and their families.

The Development team is where the mission meets the money. We raise funds, tell the stories and cultivate the relationships that make everything else possible. It’s a small, close-knit team where your work shows up directly in the community.

 

Position Summary

This is a full-time fundraising role that blends relationship management, data work, event execution, and grant support. You’ll carry your own portfolio of mid-level donors, run the annual fund and monthly giving program, keep the donor database clean and current, and help plan the events that bring our community together. You’ll work closely with the Chief Development Officer and have a real seat at the table.

If you’re someone who can hold a spreadsheet and a conversation with equal confidence, and you want your work to matter, this role is for you.

 

What You Will Be Doing (Essential Responsibilities)

Donor Stewardship

Own a portfolio of mid-level donors — build the plans, make the calls, do the visits
Turn relationships into long-term commitments through personalized outreach and genuine follow-through
Ensure every donor feels acknowledged, recognized, and connected to the impact of their gift

Annual Fund & Monthly Giving

Manage the annual fund campaign end-to-end and run the monthly donor program
Develop strategies to grow recurring giving, upgrade donors, and keep retention high
Set goals with the CDO and track progress throughout the year

Data & Gift Operations

Own gift processing, data entry, and monthly reconciliation with the CFO
Maintain clean, current records in DonorPerfect and build reports that inform decisions
Drive giving trend analysis and pipeline tracking for leadership

Events & Community

Lead assigned fundraising events from first logistics email to final thank-you
Secure sponsors, solicit auction items, and make sure every sponsor benefit gets delivered
Represent NNH at community gatherings, donor cultivation events, and networking opportunities

Grants

Research and write grant applications aligned with NNH’s programs and priorities
Track deadlines, manage reporting timelines, and gather outcome data from program staff

What You Bring to the Table (Qualifications)

• A bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, nonprofit management, or a related field required
• 2+ years in nonprofit development or a similar constituent-facing role
• Experience with a donor database or CRM — DonorPerfect, Salesforce, Bloomerang, Raiser’s Edge, or similar
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, being comfortable presenting to a room and writing the follow-up email
• Demonstrated experience working in or managing a donor database or CRM system
• An organized, detail-oriented approach that doesn’t sacrifice the big picture
• The ability to work independently and take ownership without being told twice
• Genuine care about this community and the people in it

Bonus if you bring:

• Experience with mid-level or major gift portfolios
• Grant writing or reporting background
• Familiarity with fundraising analytics or project management tools
• If this sounds like you, we want to meet you!

 

Essential Functions

Schedule: NNH Office Hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. Employees work 36 hours within that schedule. Schedules may vary as needed to fully support programming. Evening and weekend commitments for fundraising events, donor engagements, and Board meetings are a regular part of this role.

Travel/Driving: Local travel on a regular, weekly basis is required. Reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license are required to perform all functions of this role effectively. Occasional overnight or out-of-town travel for training may be needed.

Equipment/Technology: Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office is required. Experience with a donor management system or CRM is required; we currently use DonorPerfect. Familiarity with grant management tools, fundraising analytics platforms, and project management tools is a plus.

Physical Requirements: The position requires the ability to sit, stand, or walk for extended periods while attending meetings, events, or working at a desk, as well as the ability to bend, reach, and occasionally lift or carry materials up to 20 pounds. Manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office equipment, including computers, printers, telephones, and other office machines, is required, along with the hearing and vision necessary to perform the job duties of the role.

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Ready to Join Us?

If you are passionate about making a tangible difference in the community and want to join a mission-driven organization, we invite you to apply. Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the role at Northside Neighborhood House.

Northside Neighborhood House is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Apply by July 13, 2026