Development Associate

Leadership Institute (LI) trains conservatives to lead and win in the public policy process. 

Since 1979, LI has trained more than 368,000 conservative activists, students, and leaders.  Today, Leadership Institute graduates serving in elected office include four U.S. Senators, 37 U.S. Representatives, and more than 400 state legislators nationwide.

Leadership Institute's Development Associate advances this mission by working with LI's Principal Gifts Officer to help strengthen relationships between generous donors and Leadership Institute.

The Development Associate will be part of LI's Development Department and will report directly to the Principal Gifts Officer.  This position is well-suited for someone who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and interested in professional growth in fundraising and donor relations.

Key Responsibilities

• Support LI's Principal Gifts Officer in managing donor and prospect relationships, including scheduling, preparation, follow-up, and stewardship.

• Coordinate donor meetings, calls, travel logistics, small gatherings, and related development activity.

• Prepare donor briefing materials, background research, meeting notes, and supporting documents.

• Track donor outreach, relationship history, next steps, interests, and follow-up activity in Salesforce and related systems.

• Maintain accurate donor records, contact information, giving history, meeting notes, and communication history.

• Draft and coordinate donor correspondence, including thank-you notes, acknowledgments, follow-up emails, meeting summaries, and stewardship communications.

• Help prepare internal reports on donor activity, portfolio priorities, outstanding next steps, and fundraising progress.

• Coordinate with other Leadership Institute departments and staff to ensure donor requests and follow-up items are completed accurately and promptly.

• Assist with planning and execution of donor visits, briefings, events, webinars, and other engagement opportunities.

• Organize files, templates, collateral materials, donor communications, and other resources that support consistent development operations.

• Monitor deadlines and follow-up items to help ensure timely donor communication and strong portfolio management.

Qualifications

Required

• 1-2 years of professional experience, preferably in political, conservative movement, or other values-based fundraising.

• Exceptional verbal and written communications skills.

• Sound judgment and high integrity, with the ability to handle confidential donor information.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated initiative and ability to learn new systems, processes, and workflows quickly.

• Occasional evening, weekend, and travel availability required, including approximately 10% to 15% travel, to support donor events, meetings, and organizational priorities.

• Strong personal commitment to Leadership Institute’s mission and values.

Preferred

Strong preference for job candidates available to work from Leadership Institute's Arlington, Virginia headquarters.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is between $55,000 and $70,000.  Salary range is a good-faith estimate but not guaranteed, and final salary will be based on qualifications and experience.

Leadership Institute offers generous benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, retirement savings, company holidays, employee appreciation events, and free access to Leadership Institute training programs.