NextChapter

Entry-level development associate jobs: what the job is, skills and open roles

A development associate supports a nonprofit's fundraising: tracking donors and gifts, thanking donors, planning events and preparing appeals. Right now 630 entry-level development associate jobs are open on employers’ own career sites.

What a development associate does

In the public sector, non-profit and education family of jobs. Roles that run programs, fundraising and student services.

A typical day

  1. 1. Enter and track gifts
  2. 2. Write thank-yous and appeals
  3. 3. Prepare donor research
  4. 4. Plan events
  5. 5. Report on campaigns

Do you need experience?

14 of the 630 open entry-level development associate jobs say in their own text that no experience is required. 14 say they provide training. The figures are counted from the posting text and change as jobs open and close.

Open entry-level development associate jobs

Taken from employers’ own career sites and checked to still be open within the last week.

Showing the newest 15 of about 630 verified open jobs here. Search all jobs

Search all development associate jobs

Skills for development associate jobs

The skills this job uses, most important first. Most can be learned or shown before the first day.

Skills to build or show

  1. 1. Donor database software
  2. 2. Writing
  3. 3. Attention to detail
  4. 4. Relationship building
  5. 5. Discretion

Close the gap for this job

Tell us what you already do and we point you to the training for the skills you are missing. Or check your résumé below first.

Find training for these skills

How would your résumé fare for development associate?

Paste it to see which skills this job uses and which your résumé leaves out. It runs here in your browser, so nothing you paste is sent.

Paste at least a few lines to check it.

Want a real read on your résumé?

Tell us your state and where to reach you. Attach your résumé if you want a real read on it.

The market for development associate work

Every figure names its source.

Open entry-level development associate jobs
630

Source: NextChapter, checked against employer career sites, last 7 days.

See the detail →
Openings that say no experience is required
14

Source: The posting’s own text, counted by NextChapter.

See the detail →
Openings that say they provide training
14

Source: The posting’s own text, counted by NextChapter.

Median pay in listings that state it
$77,000

Source: NextChapter verified openings (152 with pay).

See the detail →

Across 152 open entry-level development associate listings that state an annual pay figure, the middle half run from $62,500 to $92,500, with a median of $77,000. Listings that state pay are not every listing, and some roles add commission or bonus on top.

Where entry-level development associate jobs are

Between jobs? Unemployment benefits and severance rules in these states, or in every state.

Employers hiring development associates now

  • The Wood Agency Life 30
  • Stratford Davis 12
  • The Dorne Region 12
  • Universal Processing 9
  • Cover Whale Insurance Solutions 6
  • Wolfjaw Studios 6
  • Cover Whale 5
  • Premium Merchant Funding 5
  • AEI Consultants 4
  • AO Globe Life 4

More jobs like development associate

Roles that use the same skills, and where this job commonly leads.

Where it can lead

Similar entry-level jobs

All entry-level public sector, non-profit and education jobs · Development Associate jobs at every level

Questions about development associate jobs

What does a development associate do?
A development associate supports a nonprofit's fundraising: tracking donors and gifts, thanking donors, planning events and preparing appeals. A typical day includes: enter and track gifts; write thank-yous and appeals; prepare donor research; plan events; report on campaigns.
Can I get an entry-level development associate job with no experience?
14 of the 630 open entry-level development associate jobs say in their own text that no experience is required. 14 say they provide training. The figures are counted from the posting text and change as jobs open and close.
What skills do you need to be a development associate?
The skills this job uses most are donor database software, writing, attention to detail, relationship building, discretion. Most can be learned before the first day through coursework, short courses, practice or a related job.
How much does an entry-level development associate make?
Across 152 open entry-level development associate listings that state an annual pay figure, the middle half run from $62,500 to $92,500, with a median of $77,000. Listings that state pay are not every listing, and some roles add commission or bonus on top.
Where can a development associate job lead?
People in this job commonly move to program coordinator, grants assistant, event coordinator, account manager. The link between jobs is the shared skills; the path is not guaranteed and depends on the employer.

Applying and hearing nothing back?

Find out where you stand: your odds, the jobs that fit you and a plan for the week ahead. Free. No résumé needed.

Already a member? Log in

Get my Market Reality Assessment

Hiring development associate roles and not seeing the right people?

Leave your work email. We'll send how to reach people searching for development associate jobs.

See employer options