Development Assistant

Company Description:

Rafiki Coalition for Health and Wellness is a San Francisco-based nonprofit dedicated to eliminating health inequities and improving the lives of Black, African American, and marginalized communities in the Bay Area. For over 35 years, we have provided a safe, welcoming space where health, healing, and hope come together. We offer a holistic range of services, including free and low-cost health screenings, HIV prevention and care, mental health counseling, housing and economic support, fitness classes, and nutrition programs. Guided by a belief that wellness is more than the absence of illness, we embrace a whole-person approach that honors the cultural, social, and emotional needs of our community.

At Rafiki, we are more than a service provider. We are a trusted partner, advocate, and resource. Our work is rooted in compassion, cultural humility, and a commitment to social justice. Every day, our team stands with our community to dismantle barriers, amplify voices, and create pathways to health and opportunity.

If you're looking to join a mission-driven organization where your work directly empowers individuals and strengthens communities, Rafiki Coalition is the place to make a meaningful impact

Job Description:

General Summary

Rafiki Coalition's mission is to eliminate health inequities in San Francisco's Black and marginalized communities through education, advocacy, and by providing holistic health and wellness services in a culturally affirming environment. Rafiki operates a range of programs that support the physical, mental, and spiritual wellness of Black and marginalized residents, including clinical services, health and wellness classes, community events, and policy and advocacy work.

Under the direction of the Director of Development & Communications (DD&C), the Development Assistant provides critical administrative, operational, and logistical support to Rafiki's fundraising efforts, with a focus on private philanthropy (foundations, corporate partners, donor-advised funds, and individual donors). This role helps keep the development department organized and moving by managing data entry and gift processing, acknowledgments, donor and prospect logistics, scheduling and follow-up support for the DD&C, and small-scale donor and funder engagement events.

The Development Assistant's primary internal partner is the DD&C. By handling core administrative and coordination tasks, the Development Assistant amplifies the DD&C ability to drive org-wide fundraising strategy, build and deepen funder relationships, and lead Rafiki's key fundraising campaigns: the annual fund campaign, 40th anniversary campaign, and capital campaign.

Responsibilities:

Development Operations

• Enter and update donor, funder, and prospect records in Rafiki's CRM (Neon One), ensuring accurate contact information, giving history, and key notes.
• Maintain clean, consistent data, including coding gifts by campaign and fund, updating mailing preferences, and de-duplicating records as needed.
• Log incoming gifts and pledges in the CRM and route documentation to Finance for timely deposit and coding.
• Prepare acknowledgement letters and emails using established templates so that thank-yous go out within agreed-upon timelines and reflect Rafiki's voice and values.
• Maintain electronic and physical files for donation records and acknowledgments as needed.
• Generate basic lists and exports (e.g., mailing lists, event invite lists, donor segments) at the direction of the DD&C and Development Manager.

Support for the Director of Development & Communications and Development Team

• Serve as the primary administrative partner to the DD&C, helping organize her workload across the annual fund/AACHEC campaign, 40th anniversary campaign, and capital campaign.
• Manage a development-focused calendar for the DD&C, including scheduling donor and funder meetings, internal development check-ins, and key campaign milestones.
• Prepare meeting logistics for donor and funder engagements (calendar invites, Zoom links or room bookings, and links to existing briefing materials provided by the DD&C or Development Manager).
• Track pending tasks and "asks" from the DD&C to staff, consultants, and board members related to fundraising (e.g., drafts, approvals, data pulls) and remind people of deadlines.
• Keep a simple log of outstanding follow-ups for the DD&C (e.g., funders to re-contact, materials to send, internal decisions needed) and help ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
• Provide administrative support for development-related working groups and committees as needed (scheduling, agendas, notes, and follow-up task tracking).
• Coordinate with external consultants (e.g., grants writer, communications/PR, event planner) on logistics and deadlines as directed by the DD&C and Development Manager.

Small Events & Donor Engagement Support

• Provide logistical support for small donor and funder engagement activities, such as salons, in-office gatherings at Rafiki's building, site visits, and briefings connected to the annual fund, AACHEC relaunch, 40th anniversary, and capital campaign.
• Assist with event-related tasks such as invite lists, RSVPs, guest communications, simple room setup, name tags, and day-of check-in, under the direction of the DD&C and/or Development Manager.
• Coordinate with the event planner on development-related needs for larger events (e.g., sponsor invite lists, comped tickets, and post-event follow-up lists) as directed by the DD&C or Development Manager.
• Collect attendance information from events (e.g., sign-in sheets, RSVP reports) and share it with the DD&C and Development Manager so it can be reflected in donor and prospect records.

Requirements:

Qualifications:

Experience

• 1-3 years of experience in nonprofit administration, development, executive support, or a related field.
• Experience with data entry and basic reporting in a CRM, database, or similar system (prior use of Neon One or other fundraising CRMs is a plus).
• Experience coordinating logistics, scheduling, or small events in a busy, multi-project environment.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; able to manage many small tasks and deadlines at once without losing track.
• Comfort working in spreadsheets and databases and following data entry protocols to keep information clean and usable.
• Clear and professional written communication, including email and basic letter drafting using templates.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with staff, consultants, and board members, and to communicate respectfully across lines of difference.
• Discretion and good judgment when handling confidential information about donors, funders, and partners.
• Commitment to racial equity, health equity, and Rafiki's mission to support Black and marginalized communities in San Francisco.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting fundraising activities (gift processing, acknowledgments, donor events, or similar).
• Experience supporting senior leaders (e.g., as an executive assistant or project coordinator).
• Familiarity with Bay Area community-based organizations and/or the philanthropic landscape.

Additional Information:

Type: Full-time

Location: San Francisco, CA

Reports to:  Director of Development and Communications

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Compensation: Full-time, $27.00 to $29.00 hourly

Application Instructions:

Please submit resume and cover letter. Include in the cover letter:

• Why you are interested in this position
• Your experience in fundraising with non-profit health and wellness organizations
• Grant writing experience

Compensation details: 27-29 Hourly Wage