Development Coordinator Job Description
Job Title
Development Coordinator
Reports To
Chief Executive Officer
Position Type
Full-Time, Exempt
Location
Southeastern CT - On-site with hybrid flexibility
Starting Salary
Starting at $60,000/year, commensurate with experience, plus benefits
Position Summary
The Development Coordinator is a hands-on, detail-oriented professional who supports the organizations fundraising, donor stewardship, events, grant coordination, and development operations. This position plays a key role in helping Covenant Shelter of New London strengthen donor relationships, improve fundraising systems, support grant activity, and execute events and campaigns that advance the organization’s mission.
The Development Coordinator will assist with local and regional grant research, proposal preparation, reporting, donor communications, database management, sponsorship outreach, and fundraising events. This role will also work closely with the CEO and any contracted grant writing or development support to gather information, track deadlines, and ensure strong communication across all development efforts.
The ideal candidate is highly organized, relationship-driven, comfortable with writing and data tracking, and committed to communicating the organizations work with dignity, compassion, and professionalism.
Key Responsibilities
1. Grant Coordination, Research & Reporting
- Research local, regional, corporate, foundation, and municipal funding opportunities that align with the organizations mission and programs.
- Support the preparation of grant proposals, letters of intent, funding applications, and related attachments.
- Assist with writing and editing local and regional grant applications, with support and oversight from the CEO.
- Coordinate with contracted grant writers by gathering program data, financial information, budgets, outcomes, and narrative details needed for larger state or federal proposals.
- Maintain and update the master grant calendar, including application deadlines, reporting deadlines, award dates, and renewal opportunities.
- Support post-award grant management by tracking required outcomes, deadlines, compliance items, and funder reports.
- Draft and submit grant reports, updates, and supporting documentation as assigned.
2. Donor Database Management & Stewardship
- Maintain accurate donor records in the organizations donor database or CRM.
- Process gifts, update donor information, track giving history, and ensure proper coding and documentation.
- Manage the acknowledgment process to ensure donors receive timely, personalized thank-you letters and tax receipts.
- Help strengthen donor stewardship through follow-up communications, impact updates, and recognition efforts.
- Generate fundraising reports for leadership, including giving trends, donor retention, campaign progress, sponsorship tracking, and monthly fundraising updates.
- Support direct-mail and digital appeal campaigns, including annual appeals, spring campaigns, and other fundraising efforts.
3. Event Support & Corporate Sponsorships
- Support the planning, coordination, and execution of the shelter’s signature fundraising events and community benefit initiatives.
- Assist with event logistics, sponsor tracking, guest lists, auction or raffle support, printed materials, volunteer coordination, and post-event follow-up.
- Help identify and cultivate corporate sponsors and in-kind partners throughout Southeastern Connecticut.
- Coordinate point-of-need donation drives, including seasonal shelter needs, move-out kits, hygiene supplies, and other client support items.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with civic groups, faith-based organizations, local businesses, volunteers, and community partners.
4. Development Communications Coordination
- Assist with development-related communications, including newsletters, donor updates, sponsorship materials, impact summaries, and campaign messaging.
- Help coordinate digital giving campaigns, including annual appeals and regional foundation match days.
- Support the creation of donor-facing materials that clearly and respectfully communicate the shelter’s mission, needs, and impact.
- Ensure all messaging reflects trauma-informed, dignified, and client-centered language.
- Coordinate with contracted communications, marketing, website, social media, graphic design, or branding support as needed. Provide basic fundraising-related website, social media, and online giving updates when assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities unless assigned by the Chief Executive Officer. The Development Coordinator may support volunteers, event committees, interns, or contracted development and communications support as needed.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong writing, editing, and communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines, projects, and priorities.
- Comfort working with donor records, spreadsheets, fundraising reports, grant calendars, and development timelines.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and discretion with donor, client, staff, and organizational information.
- Ability to work collaboratively with leadership, program staff, board members, volunteers, donors, community partners, and external contractors.
- Sensitivity and understanding when communicating about individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
- Commitment to equity, inclusivity, trauma-informed communication, and mission-centered development work.
Qualifications & Experience
- Two or more years of experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, donor relations, grant support, event coordination, communications, or a related field.
- Experience with donor databases or nonprofit CRMs such as Little Green Light, Bloomerang, Network for Good, or similar platforms preferred.
- Experience supporting fundraising events, donor campaigns, grant tracking, or sponsorship outreach preferred.
- Experience in housing, homelessness services, human services, or community-based nonprofit work is a plus.
- High level of professionalism, discretion, and respect for confidentiality required.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.
Core Culture Competencies
Collaborative Spirit: Works well with the CEO, staff, board members, volunteers, donors, and external consultants to move development goals forward.
Strong Follow-Through: Tracks details carefully, meets deadlines, follows up consistently, and keeps development systems organized.
Relationship-Driven Approach: Understands that fundraising is rooted in trust, gratitude, communication, and long-term relationship building.
Trauma-Informed Communication: Communicates the shelter’s needs, client stories, and community impact in a way that preserves dignity, protects privacy, and honors the lived experiences of those served.
Mission Alignment: Demonstrates a genuine commitment to supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness and helping the shelter strengthen its long-term sustainability.
Benefits & Work Environment
- Paid time off and paid holidays.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance, if eligible.
- Hybrid flexibility for administrative, writing, and database work, balanced with regular on-site presence for team collaboration, shelter needs, donor engagement, and community-facing meetings.
- Meaningful opportunity to help grow and strengthen the development function of a mission-driven shelter serving Southeastern Connecticut.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Valid Driver’s License preferred. CPR Certification preferred or ability to obtain, if required by the organization.
Other Duties
Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer or their designee to support shelter operations, development goals, and the well-being of residents.
Pay: From $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in New London, CT 06320
