Job Title: Development Specialist 

Reports To: Senior Development Officer 

Location: Remote, USA

New/Replacement Position: New

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $28.80 - $34.55/hour

                           $56,162-$67,380 (annually)

About the Organization:

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, healthy and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. NRPA advances this vision by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals as a catalyst for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being.

NRPA’s network of more than 60,000 park and recreation professionals and advocates represent public spaces in urban communities, rural settings and everything in between. NRPA champions and supports the field of parks and recreation through professional development, advocacy, grants and programs, research, publications, and more.

Every day, in communities across the country, the people of parks and recreation are providing essential services and confronting the most pressing issues of our time — advancing mental and physical health, creating climate-ready parks, supporting equity and inclusion, and so much more. We know we cannot solve these challenges alone. By partnering with like-minded organizations — including nonprofits, government agencies, academics and corporate leaders — we bring strength to our programs and mission.

NRPA is a remote first workforce with employees in over 20 states and growing. NRPA provides work/life balance, a collaborative working environment and is committed to our values of trust, continuous learning, diversity and inclusion. To learn more about NRPA’s mission and impact, visit our website: https://www.nrpa.org/.

Position Overview:

The Development Specialist supports achievement of the Development Team’s revenue goals with a focus on diversifying and increasing NRPA’s foundation, corporate, and federal partnerships (approximately $7-8 million in annual revenue). The Development Specialist will identify prospects and prospective grant opportunities to support NRPA’s strategic plan, signature initiatives, and other fundraising priorities. The Development Specialist will lead cross-organizational internal application development processes for prospective/renewal grant applications and other fundraising opportunities. The Development Specialist will support data management (including use of a new CRM tool), administrative tasks, grant reporting, and other related Development functions as needed. This position will also support NRPA’s efforts to build the fundraising capacity of local park and recreation agencies as needed.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Development and Coordination

• Identify, research, and engage new prospective corporate, foundation, and federal government donors aligned with NRPA’s signature initiatives, new strategic plan, and other fundraising priorities.
• Lead the creation of collateral, concept papers, letters of interest, and full proposals and application packages, including budgets.
• Collaborate with cross-organizational staff and partner organizations to conceptualize and refine scopes of work for fundraising opportunities.
• Coordinate and facilitate internal fundraising meetings.
• Perform data entry, maintain internal fundraising tracker, and update electronic records in database(s).
• Build and steward partnerships with like-minded organizations, prospective and current donors, and other stakeholders.
• Support the local park and recreation field in identifying new funding opportunities and strengthen local agency capacity to successfully attract new donors, including identifying prospective opportunities for the field and supporting ongoing communications.
• Represent NRPA at meetings, conferences, and in-person networking events.
• On an as needed basis, assist with corporate engagement, individual giving, and other related Development functions.
• Support NRPA’s Annual Conference, including reviewing speakers and attendees for prospects and connections, encouraging partners and prospects to attend or engage with Conference, and assisting with volunteer duties as needed.

Communications Support

• Assist with writing and deploying relevant communications including:
• Write and source content for NRPA’s Park Patron Digest, emails, blogs, magazines & other content as needed.
• Provide relevant fundraising updates to NRPA website.

Customer Service

• Exhibit superior customer service with grantees, members, donors, partners, and colleagues.
• Promptly respond to inquiries from members and potential partners.

Budget Management

• Lead and/or support the development of budgets for project proposals and other financial documents as needed.
• Support financial reporting for grant reports as needed.

Essential Skills and Abilities

• High School Diploma + 2 years of continuing education or equivalent required; Bachelor’s degree or industry certification equivalent preferred; minimum of 2-6 years in related field; 2-4 years position specific experience preferred; nonprofit or P&R experience preferred
• 2-3 years of experience aligned with fundraising, program coordination, parks and recreation, and/or health, equity, or conservation preferred
• Computer and technology savvy with specific knowledge of and/or familiarity with Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Suite, Salesforce, and/or other CRM/AMS systems
• Strong passion for subject matter
• Strong alignment with NRPA values
• Communicate (oral, written) effectively & politely with individuals at all levels, including partners & donors
• Strong ability to work both independently AND as part of a team
• Think critically, strategically, and creatively in problem solving and approaches
• Interest and skill in relationship building with funders and collaborators
• Exhibit quality control of own work and effectively manage competing priorities
• Willing to travel 10 to 15 days per year.