Development Associate, Annual Giving

Company Description

Since our founding in 1961, WWF has been committed to protecting nature and its resources. We understand that nature is our planet’s greatest asset, intrinsically linked to human survival — and that it needs our help. Our work to reverse nature loss and conserve biodiversity has never been more urgent.

As the world’s leading conservation organization—with offices on six continents and in nearly 100 countries—our global reach includes the world’s most critical forests, river systems, wetlands, savannas, and ocean habitats. By conserving these places and supporting sustainable livelihoods within them, we can keep the Earth in balance for people, wildlife, and the planet.

Job Description

Major Function  

The Development Associate, Annual Giving will support WWF’s Partners in Conservation and Leadership Partner mid-level donor programs, which includes a hybrid of mass-market communications and managed donor relationships. Reporting to the Director, Annual Giving, the Development Associate will support the team’s comprehensive fundraising and stewardship efforts, including donor correspondence activities frequent donor inquiry routing and resolution, and direct response mail and email communications. This position will be part of a dynamic team of development professionals and manage a stewardship portfolio of donors. The Development Associate will also develop and maintain CRM (Constituent Relationship Management) database processes, assist with budgeting and financial accountability, and will act as a liaison to other teams within the department and the organization. In addition to a passion for WWF’s mission, the position requires exceptional communication, customer service and project management skills, and the ability to interact professionally with donors and other stakeholders. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Donor Communications and Correspondence – 60%: Manages donor inquiry processes to effectively and efficiently resolve requests or route to appropriate teams within WWF. Creates donor-facing responses and follow up via email, phone, and mail as appropriate, and enters all relevant information in CRM database. In collaboration with Annual Giving officers, maintains a targeted portfolio of donors in permanent stewardship and manages those relationships on behalf of WWF. Supports Annual Giving team’s solicitation and stewardship activities, including data preparation and correspondence personalization. Ensures all correspondence is free from grammatical errors, using approved WWF language. 

• CRM Database Processes and Data Integrity – 20%: Develops processes and protocols for data management to support team activities, including entry of marketing effort segmentation in collaboration with Lead Specialist, Direct Response, report preparation, and data reconciliation. Maintains accurate/clean donor data records, including contact information and communications preferences, in collaboration with fundraising operations, donor engagement, and research/prospect management teams. Reviews, validates and inputs collected data using established upload procedures. Coordinates with staff to resolve problems as needed. Ensures proper handling of gift documentation for the team. Processes gifts of securities for the organization. 

• Financial Accountability and Team Support – 15%: Prepares expense reports, reviews, submits and codes invoices, and assists Annual Giving team with travel arrangements for donor meetings and events as necessary. Monitors expense reports for significant or unexpected variances. Prepares mailings, production of documents, reports and other materials. May assign work and coordinate projects performed by part-time and temporary staff. Provides general orientation and training to the team and other colleagues as appropriate.   

• Performs other duties as assigned – 5%.  

Qualifications

Key Competencies:

Analytical Thinking - Applies structured analysis to manage, validate, and interpret donor and operational data, ensuring accuracy, identifying trends or issues, and improving processes that support effective fundraising and stewardship activities.

Interpersonal Communications & Collaboration – Communicates clearly and professionally with donors and collaborates effectively across teams to manage relationships, resolve inquiries, and support coordinated fundraising and stewardship efforts.

Organization/Attention-To-Detail/Time Management – Ensures all facets of program execution are well-managed, accurate, and completed according to standard operating procedures.  Remains flexible and adaptable to shifting priorities and project timelines.

Reliability & Follow-Through/Initiative – Complete assigned work on time and according to expectations, takes responsibility for troubleshooting and resolving potential challenges, and communicates outcomes and results with colleagues.

Stakeholder Engagement – Represents WWF in conversation and correspondence with donors and prospects, projecting a poised, professional demeanor that conveys the organization’s reputation and standing as a global conservation leader.

 Project Management – Monitors, updates, and manages projects on behalf of the team, communicates deadlines, and raises concerns if updates to project plans are needed.

Skills and Abilities 

• Bachelor’s degree with 2 - 4 years of specific experience in donor relations required. 

• Experience using a CRM (Constituent Relationship Management) system required.  Familiarity with BlackBaud CRM or similar database systems is preferred. 
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools, and other workplace software, including the ability to manipulate, analyze, and interpret data exported from these programs, is required.

• Excellent oral communication skills; ability to proof, edit and finalize written correspondence are required. 

• Excellent organizational ability and attention to detail.   

• Ability to organize time, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.  

• Demonstrates flexibility to changing situations and ability to balance competing demands and priorities. 

• Experience planning and coordinating projects and meetings; familiarity with event planning a plus. 

• Demonstrates ability to professionally represent WWF to donors, members and the public, and exhibits familiarity with Development best practices and techniques.  

• High standard of ethics, assuring discreet handling of donor records and adherence to the Association of Fundraising Professionals Donor Bill of Rights. 

• Committed to building and strengthening a culture of inclusion within and across teams. 

• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration: 

  • Courage Demonstrates courage by speaking up even when it is difficult or unpopular. 

  • Integrity Builds trust with colleagues by acting with integrity, owning mistakes, and holding oneself accountable. 

  • Respect Welcomes other points of view and ideas, recognizing and embracing different and contrary perspectives with kindness, curiosity, and encouragement. 

  • Collaboration Makes conscious efforts to promote cooperative practices, behaviors, and ways of working across many groups and individuals. 

Additional Information

Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.  

Relocation is not provided for this position.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.