Are you an organized, curious, and people-oriented problem solver looking to grow your career in fundraising and nonprofit operations?
Join the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing as our new Development & Operations Coordinator! This full-time with great benefits is an exciting opportunity for an early-career professional to deepen their work in the worlds of development, donor relations, and project management while contributing to a mission-centered organization that transforms grief and trauma into resilience.
You’ll join a great team where initiative is valued, feedback is welcome, and humor and kindness go a long way.
This is an ideal role for someone who is eager to gain experience across the full lifecycle of fundraising, while learning from seasoned professionals in a trauma-informed, equity-centered environment.
Salary Range: $57,000–$62,000 per year, with comprehensive benefits
Location: Washington, D.C. – Flexible Hybrid Work Model (2 days per week in office)
Role Type: Full-time, Non-Exempt
Reports to: Director of Development & Communications
Works closely with: Development & Communications Team, External Partners, Board Members
Jessye Kass Consulting is assisting with this search for the Wendt Center for Loss & Healing
About Us
At the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing, we believe that healing from life’s most challenging moments is not only possible—it’s a journey we embark on together. For 50 years, our community-based organization has provided compassionate support, innovative programs, and a safe space for those navigating loss and trauma. Guided by our core values of Healing, Kindness, Collaboration, and Learning, we empower individuals and communities to transform pain into hope and resilience.
Position Overview
The Development & Operations Coordinator is a foundational team member supporting fundraising operations, major donor and corporate engagement, donor data management, and cross-departmental project execution. This person will collaborate closely with the Director of Development & Communications to implement thoughtful systems, steward donor relationships, and help bring bold ideas to life. The ideal candidate is warm, confident, resourceful, and unafraid to speak to strangers or suggest creative solutions.
What the Role Entails
Fundraising & Donor Engagement (40%)
- Conduct donor and corporate sponsorship research to support major gifts and fundraising strategy; recommend corporations and donors for senior leadership to connect to
- Identify and find new opportunities for the Wendt Center to connect to - donors, corporations, grant opportunities, and other creative fundraising opportunities
- Gather and synthesize information for grant prospecting and funding strategy
- Maintain and improve donor records in Raiser’s Edge (and other systems as needed)
- Track acknowledgments, pledges, and touchpoints with donors and partners
- Support the execution of donor engagement strategies
- Assist with communications and outreach related to major donors, corporate sponsors, and potential funders
Development Operations & Project Management (35%)
- Coordinate cross-functional projects involving the Development, Communications, and Finance teams
- Improve internal systems, documentation, and file organization (e.g., SOPs, Blackbaud, shared drives)
- Serve as a point of contact for internal task tracking and follow-through
- Assist with preparing data and reports for leadership and the Board, including prospect pipelines, engagement tracking, and fundraising timelines.
External Events & Community Engagement (15%)
- Assist in representing the Wendt Center at select community events, fundraisers, or partner meetings.
- Attend donor and public-facing functions alongside senior staff, engaging with stakeholders
- Assist with planning and execution of internal and external development events
General Support & Special Projects (10%)
- Provide general administrative and operational support to the Director of Development & Communications
- Support communications tasks on an as-needed basis (e.g., pulling data for reports, reviewing donor lists)
- Take initiative on new ideas and special projects that align with mission, curiosity, and creativity
What We Need From You
- 1–3 years of relevant experience in fundraising, nonprofit operations, communications, or administrative roles - show us your transferable skills, we are open to other candidates!
- Highly organized and able to juggle multiple priorities
- Tech savvy and able to learn and adapt to new technologies quickly
- Proactive communicator who is comfortable engaging with strangers and high-level stakeholders
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through
- Passionate about the Wendt Center’s mission and able to speak about it with authenticity and care
- Comfort navigating conversations related to grief, mental health, and trauma-informed work
- Occasional evening or weekend hours for fundraising or community events (average 1 per quarter).
We’d be really excited if you had:
- Experience using donor databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge), project management tools, or CRM systems
- Familiarity with major gifts, corporate sponsorships, or development best practices would be extremely helpful
We encourage candidates who may not meet every listed qualification but who bring strong transferable skills and a desire to grow to apply.
What We Offer:
- Salary range of $57,000–$62,000
- Benefits include paid holidays, vacation and sick time, a week off at the end of the year, flexible work schedule, 403(b), health insurance, life insurance, and professional development opportunities
- Clear opportunities for professional development and mentorship from senior staff.
- Supportive, connected, and invested staff with strong mission connection
What to Expect:
- Screening interviews over Zoom conducted by Jessye Kass Consulting in mid-to-late June and early July
- 2nd round Zoom interviews with 2-3 senior leaders from the Wendt Center in July/August
- Final in-person interviews with Wendt Center staff most likely in early August
How to Apply:
We have retained Jessye Kass Consulting to assist with this search. To apply, please fill out [the application form here]. In lieu of a cover letter, the form will ask you several short-answer questions and provide space to upload a resume. Priority given to applications received by June 18.
Questions:
- Tell us about a time you developed a creative solution to a problem. What was the challenge, what did you try, and how did it turn out?
- Describe your experience with managing projects or streamlining processes.
- What excites you most about this role, and what do you hope to learn or grow into?
Accessibility and Inclusion: If you have accessibility needs or questions about the application process, please contact Jessye Kass Karlin at jessye@jessyekassconsulting.com.
*Application Note* We understand that the use of AI to respond to application questions can ease the process for the applicant. That said, we strongly encourage you to *start* with your own words instead of the use of AI in your responses. This is an honor system - but for what it is worth, we can usually tell. :)
The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing is an equal employment opportunity employer. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
