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YIVO is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Development Associate

The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research seeks a Development Associate to help advance our mission of preserving and sharing the history and culture of East European Jewry.

Founded in 1925 in Vilna (now Vilnius), YIVO is the only pre-war Jewish archives and library to have survived the Holocaust. Today, our collections include 24+ million archival items and more than 400,000 books, making YIVO the largest repository of materials on East European Jewish civilization in the world. YIVO also presents over 75 public programs annually and serves scholars, students, and audiences globally.

Position Overview:

The Development Associate reports to the Chief Development Officer and works collaboratively with the development team and senior YIVO leadership. The primary focus of this role includes cultivation and stewardship of annual donors, implementation of an alumni program, cultivation and fundraising events, support NextGen initiative, and assistance with the acknowledgment process.

Key Responsibilities:

• Primarily focusing on donors up to $5K, developing and implementing strategies to expand, cultivate, and strengthen YIVO’s institutional funding pipeline, including identifying opportunities for new and renewed support.
• Participate in the identification, cultivation, and stewardship of donor prospects, working closely with development colleagues and institutional partners.
• Partner with the Education Department to develop and manage an alumni program.
• In collaboration with the Chief Development Officer, implement and execute an Ambassadors Program focused on engaging donors between 30 and 45 years of age.
• In partnership with the Development team, review the membership program, refining benefits and developing retention strategies.
• Assist in preparation of annual appeals, donor acknowledgment letters and correspondence.
• Maintain a strong understanding of YIVO’s programs, priorities, and strategic goals to effectively communicate the organization’s mission and impact.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate will be:

• A self-starter with a proven ability to secure gifts.
• Familiar with Eastern European Jewish culture.
• Detail-oriented, ambitious, and highly motivated, with a strong work ethic and commitment to results.
• A strong communicator who can present YIVO’s mission clearly and persuasively, engaging and inspiring prospective supporters.
• Decisive and thoughtful, demonstrating sound judgment and professionalism.
• Knowledge of Yiddish is desirable, but not essential.
• Willing to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.

Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 2-4 years of successful fundraising experience, ideally within a Jewish communal organization, higher education institution, or nonprofit.
• Experience in one or more of the following: individual giving, annual giving, alumni engagement, or membership programs.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, Raiser’s Edge, and other fundraising databases and reporting systems.

Salary & Benefits:

• $70,000-$75,000 (commensurate with experience), plus a comprehensive benefits package including, health insurance, retirement contributions, paid vacation, Jewish and federal holidays, and transit benefits.
• Location: On-site in Manhattan (near Union Square)
• Full-time | Occasional evenings or Sundays

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume as a single PDF to mcohen@yivo.org with the subject line: “Development Associate.”

No phone calls, please. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.