Development & Administrative Associate

Title:  Development & Administrative Associate

Reports to: Executive Director

Department: Admin

☒ Part-time [25 - 30 hours per week (on-site only)]

☒ Nonexempt  

About DCM:

Our mission at Decatur Cooperative Ministry is to help families facing homelessness settle into safe, stable homes and build healthy lives filled with peace, hope and opportunity.

We have a long history of working towards this goal.

Founded in 1969, Decatur Cooperative Ministry was originally a “seed-planting” organization: DCM identified gaps in local needs, started programs to address them, and then handed these programs off to local churches.

By the early 1980s, DCM had shifted its focus from incubating several programs to nurturing just a few. These services—which eventually became our current transitional housing, shelter, and homelessness prevention programs—helped families prevent, endure, and overcome homelessness.

DCM has continued to expand upon its programs since the development of the core three in the 1980s; now also offering rapid re-housing and permanent supportive housing programs, our programs span the entire spectrum of currently recognized homelessness interventions.

To accomplish this, DCM partners with 35 congregations from 14 denominations as well as private foundations, universities and schools, government agencies, community groups, and local businesses.

Position Summary: 

The Development & Administrative Associate plays a key role in supporting the Executive Director and ensuringeffective communication with donors throughout the donor journey. This position combines high-level administrative support with donor database  management, stewardship, and communication tasks that are vital to building and sustaining strong donor relationships.

Because our target communities and colleagues come from a wide range of backgrounds, applicants need to be able to thoughtfully navigate issues related to diversity, race, equity and inclusion, and bring a deep commitment to advancing these values. You’ll also need to bring a strong commitment to excellence and true collaboration, an ability to work quickly but carefully, and appreciation for/patience, and developing and growing your team members.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

Administrative Support to Executive Director

• Manage the Executive Director’s calendar, including scheduling meetings and preparing agendas and materials.
• Assist in tracking deadlines, coordinating follow-ups, and drafting routine correspondence.
• Maintain organized digital and paper files for contracts, reports, and board documents.
• Help prepare presentations, talking points, reports, and other materials for meetings and external communications.
• rovide logistical and clerical support for Board of Directors and committee meetings, including note taking and record-keeping.

Donor Communication and Stewardship

• Manage donor acknowledgments and thank-you communications promptly and personally.
• Maintain and update donor records and touchpoints in the donor database (e.g., eTapestry or Blackbaud).
• Track donor engagement across events, campaigns, and communications to support strategic stewardship efforts.
• Create and distribute donor journey materials such as newsletters, event invitations, impact updates, and milestone recognition (e.g., giving anniversaries).
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to ensure timely and personalized donor interactions that reflect DCM’s mission and values.

Database Management and Reporting

• Input and maintain accurate donor records and communication logs.
• Run donor and fundraising reports to inform campaigns, appeals, and stewardship planning.
• Ensure data integrity across platforms and support staff training on database use as needed.
• Assist in analyzing donor trends to identify opportunities for improved engagement and giving.

Special Projects and Event Support

• Assist with planning and execution of fundraising events, donor cultivation gatherings, and community outreach events.
• Coordinate invitations, RSVPs, donor recognition, and post-event follow-up.
• Support efforts to collect and analyze donor feedback. 
• Other Duties Assigned. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or related field; or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience providing administrative support and/or working with donor management systems.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with an ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and donor database platforms (e.g., eTapestry, Blackbaud).
• Discretion in handling confidential information and a high level of professionalism.
• Friendly, mission-driven, and collaborative approach to work.

Required Competencies

• Proven ability to prioritize and deliver on tight deadlines;
• Experience managing across and collaborating with diverse teams, personalities and expectations;
• Maintain a can do and solutions oriented attitude in all situations, especially tough situations;
• Willing and able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekend;
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible with changing priorities, rapid response situations, and communicate clearly about deadlines and projects;
• Strong sense of organization and time management skills;
• Ability to work autonomously as well as in deep collaboration;
• Strong sense of urgency while remaining calm under pressure; and 
• Commitment to the mission of DCM.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Experience working as a member of a remote or geographically dispersed team.
• Experience with wearing multiple hats.
• Profound social skills and excellent customer service. 
• Ability to express the required competency for making a difference. 

Working Conditions:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• We are not responsible for any COVID or communicable exposure
• Frequently required to sit for extended periods, reach with hands, fingers, and arms and speak and hear clearly
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• May infrequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 
• The noise level in the work environment is typically low to moderate

Compensation and Benefits:

$21–$26/hour (DOE)

Limitations and Disclaimer:

The above position description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws. Must have reliable means of transportation to work and work-related functions. 

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this position successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.  Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

DCM is an equal opportunity employers. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status.

TO APPLY: 

Send resume to careers@decaturcooperativeministry.org