Development and Community Engagement Associate

Newport News, Virginia

Overview
The Development and Community Engagement Associate reports to the Foundation Services Assistant Director and serves as a key operational and stewardship partner within the Foundation, supporting fundraising, donor engagement, sponsorship management, and departmental operations. This position is responsible for overseeing complex gift administration processes, sponsorship engagement activities, stewardship communications, donor data integrity, and high-level office management functions in collaboration with departmental leadership. The role exercises sound judgment, discretion, and independent decision-making while collaborating with internal leadership, donors, sponsors, community partners, and external stakeholders. This position also provides strategic and administrative support for sponsorship initiatives by evaluating opportunities, coordinating deliverables, maintaining sponsor relationships, and ensuring accurate communication and reporting of sponsorship activities.

What you will do

• Manage and implement system-wide gift acceptance operations including accurate and timely processing, reconciliation, logging, and deposit of philanthropic contributions received through multiple channels including mail, online platforms, and in-person giving
• Manage and implement all donor acknowledgment and stewardship communications including tax receipts, tribute letters, memorial recognitions, and personalized donor correspondence, ensuring accuracy, professionalism, and timely execution
• Coordinate and support stewardship and recognition initiatives including Champion of Caring notifications, donor appreciation activities, special event communications, and recognition materials for Foundation and community engagement efforts
• Maintain and support donor management database integrity through accurate record creation, data maintenance, documentation scanning, tribute processing, reporting, and quality assurance processes. Identify opportunities for improved workflow efficiency and data accuracy.
• Serve as the department lead for sponsorship administration and coordination by assessing sponsorship opportunities, managing sponsor communications, tracking deliverables and benefits and maintaining sponsorship records while ensuring organizational visibility and community engagement objectives are achieved
• Develop and prepare stewardship, sponsorship, and donor engagement reports, mailing lists, and operational summaries to support leadership decision-making, community outreach efforts, and fundraising initiatives
• Serve as departmental office manager and timekeeping resource by supporting operational workflows, coordinating vendor and equipment needs, maintaining office systems and supplies, and assisting departmental leadership with administrative priorities and special projects
• Provide cross-functional support for Foundation initiatives, special events, community engagement activities, and additional responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED, (Required)
• Bachelors Degree, in Business Administration, Communications, Nonprofit Management, Finance, Public Relations, or related field (Preferred)

Experience

• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising operations, donor relations, sponsorship coordination, nonprofit administration, communications, or related professional experience (Preferred)

Skills and Abilities

• Advanced organizational and project coordination skills with exceptional attention to detail
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Experience maintaining confidential donor and organizational information with discretion and professionalism
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, donor databases, and office systems
• Ability to build and sustain effective relationships with donors, sponsors, community partners, leadership, and external stakeholders
• Ability to work independently while contributing collaboratively to organizational goals and initiatives
• This position plays a critical role in supporting the Foundation’s fundraising operations, sponsorship engagement efforts, donor stewardship, and community visibility initiatives. The role requires a high level of professionalism, initiative, accountability and oversight for operations and relationship management.

To learn more about being a team member with Riverside Health System visit us at https://www.riversideonline.com/careers.