Development Associate

Position Type: Full-Time Reports To: Executive Director Location: Worcester, MA Salary Range: $45,000-$50,000 

Organization Description: The Shine Initiative’s mission is to combat discrimination and to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health conditions in youth and young adults. We do this by providing mental health literacy and stigma reduction education to middle and high schools and to other youth-serving organizations and establishing ongoing youth-led Mindmatters teams in these locations. We are not behavioral health providers but mental health educators who make mental health knowledge accessible to all so that our communities are supportive for all young people. Our team values a healthy sense of humor and an upbeat approach when providing services to the community. For more information, please visit www.shineinitiative.org.

Position The Shine Initiative seeks a full-time Development Associate to work closely with Shine’s Executive Director and with Shines staff on its ongoing fundraising efforts. This person will play a key role in advancing the organization's mission by supporting fundraising initiatives, grant research and management, donor engagement, and community partnerships. Shine’s Development Associate will work to secure financial resources, strengthen community relationships, and expand awareness of the organization's impact on youth mental health. This position requires a person who is highly organized, has a “go-getter” attitude, is relationship-oriented, has an entrepreneurial spirit, a sense of humor and is passionate about youth mental health. Individuals with lived experience related to mental health, youth services, or community advocacy are encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Grant & Foundation Support: ● Research prospective grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies. ● Assist in preparing and submitting grant proposals, reports, and supporting documentation. ● Maintain grant calendars, deadlines, and reporting schedules. ● Track grant outcomes and collect program data for funder reports. ● Support stewardship activities with foundation and institutional funders.
• Fundraising & Donor Engagement: ● Assist in planning and executing fundraising campaigns and special events. ● Manage donor records and data entry within Shines CRM ● Prepare donor acknowledgment letters, gift processing, and stewardship communications. ● Support individual donor cultivation and engagement activities. ● Generate fundraising reports and assist with donor prospect research.
• Community Networking and Partnerships: ● Assist with development-related communications, newsletters, and marketing materials. ● Help gather stories, testimonials, and impact data to support fundraising efforts. ● Support preparation of board reports and fundraising updates. ● Perform other development and administrative duties as assigned.
• Qualifications ● Bachelors Degree (required), MA (a plus) ● Strong advocate for Shine’s mission ● 2-5 years of experience in nonprofit fund development ● Demonstrated excellence in organizational, managerial, and communication skills ● Ability to work as a team member ● Familiarity with some types of CRM nonprofit software, donor databases and other fundraising technology. ● Expertise in a few areas of fund development (major gifts, events, corporate giving, digital fundraising) preferred. ● Ability to maintain positive team morale and maintain a positive atmosphere during high-pressure projects.
• Core Capabilities: ● Passion for youth mental health and community impact. ● Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills. ● Initiative and ability to work independently. ● Collaborative and team-oriented mindset. ● Professionalism, discretion, and integrity. ● A strong and genuine commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

What We Offer: A competitive annual salary commensurate with your experience and the expectations of the role, as well as medical and dental insurance. Generous vacation and paid time-off policies to ensure you have the space to re-charge and maintain your own wellness. Shine values professional development and provides opportunities for staff to maintain appropriate training for their position. Shine also offers a flexible work environment and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people in Massachusetts.

The Shine Initiative is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We value building a diverse and inclusive organization and participate in ongoing organizational learning for continual improvement in this area.

Please send confidential resume and cover letter to Charisse Murphy, Executive Director at charisse@shineinitiative.org