The Arizona Animal Welfare League (AAWL) is seeking to hire a full-time Development Assistant to provide administrative support for our Tails of Togetherness Capital Campaign to build a stronger future for pets and the people who love them.
The position is based in our shelter located near the Phoenix airport on 40th Street and Washington. The Development Assistant will be expected to work full-time (at least 30 hours) in our main shelter from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This is a temporary, two-year position that will end upon conclusion of the Capital Campaign in fall of 2028.
ABOUT AAWL
AAWL has served the Phoenix community for more than 50 years as Arizona’s oldest and largest no-kill shelter. While our roots are in animal rescue and adoptions, we have evolved into a community-centered organization dedicated to keeping pets and families together. Our programs provide affordable veterinary care, pet resources for families in need, and lifesaving rescue and adoption services for thousands of dogs and cats each year.
Through our new Tails of Togetherness Capital Campaign, AAWL is investing in installing air conditioning for our dog kennels, building a new Pet Community Center, and expanding access to community veterinary services.
We are in the final stretch of our $10.6 million Capital Campaign, having achieved 70% of our fundraising goal, and the new Development Assistant will play a pivotal role in providing critical administrative support to our active, out-the-door solicitation team as we close this campaign strong.
Learn more about our Capital Campaign here.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Tails of Togetherness Development Assistant will assume an administrative and supporting role within the five-person Development and Communications Department. They will report directly to the Development Manager. This back-office administrative role is key to supporting the successful implementation of all campaign activities. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a willingness to learn and apply established standard operating procedures, while proactively pursuing self-directed training to enhance database management and organizational processes.
The Development Assistant will work collaboratively with department staff to directly advance the Tails of TogethernessCapital Campaign and the broader mission of the Arizona Animal Welfare League.
The Development Assistant plays an essential role in keeping our capital campaign solicitors organized, informed, and equipped to secure gifts. This includes, but is not limited to:
Database Administration & Maintenance – Capital Campaign Focus
- Work collaboratively with the Development Manager and any database consultants to document and maintain standard operating procedures specific to capital campaign gift and pledge processing.
- Maintain accuracy, quality, and integrity of all capital campaign records in the Raiser’s Edge database, including pledge schedules, payment histories, and donor contact information.
- Process a high volume of incoming capital campaign donations and pledge payments (online, offline, mail, and employee giving) into the Raiser’s Edge database with accuracy and timeliness.
- Work with the Development Manager to process weekly/monthly campaign deposits and conduct monthly reconciliation.
- Troubleshoot database issues as they relate to campaign records and reporting.
- Willingness to pursue self-guided database training to enhance campaign data management and learn from any consultants engaged by AAWL.
Gift Processing & Acknowledgment – Capital Campaign Focus
- Ensure accurate and timely gift and pledge acknowledgment (twice per week) for all incoming capital campaign donations.
- Produce campaign-specific acknowledgment letters that reflect the donor’s commitment to Tails of Togetherness and the impact of their gift.
- Track and manage pledge reminders and pledge payment schedules to support solicitors in maintaining strong donor relationships.
- Save acknowledgment letters appropriately for annual audit and donor records.
Solicitor Support & Administrative Assistance
- Serve as the primary behind-the-scenes support for the campaign’s active solicitation team, ensuring solicitors have the tools, information, and materials they need to conduct effective donor meetings.
- Prepare donor briefings, research profiles, meeting packets, and follow-up correspondence to support the Development Manager, Major Gifts Officer, and President/CEO.
- Track next steps, action items, and follow-up tasks generated from donor meetings and solicitor activity.
- Assist in maintaining organized and up-to-date internal documents, folders, and campaign tracking materials.
- Attend regular Campaign Cabinet meetings.
Event Support – Capital Campaign Focus
- Assist with administrative duties related to capital campaign donor events, including attendance tracking and event logistics.
- Process all donations and pledges related to campaign events and tag constituent records accordingly.
- Attend campaign-related events and represent AAWL professionally to encourage campaign participation.
Campaign Recognition and Naming
- Coordinate recognition events, dedications, ribbon cuttings, naming unveilings, and donor appreciation activities.
- Coordinate with vendors, designers, marketing staff, architects, and facilities personnel on donor signage and recognition displays.
- Review donor names, recognition levels, and inscription details for accuracy before production.
- Assist in developing campaign recognition materials, donor walls, publications, website content, and annual reports
Pledge & Campaign Reporting
- Assist the Development Manager in producing regular capital campaign progress reports, including gift totals, pledge balances, and outstanding solicitations.
- Monitor pledge payment timelines and flag overdue payments or lapsed pledges for solicitor follow-up.
- Maintain accurate campaign gift and pledge records to support accurate reporting to the Board of Directors and campaign leadership.
QUALIFICATIONS
- One year of database experience in a for-profit or nonprofit setting.
- Experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge preferred; exposure to pledge and campaign tracking strongly preferred.
- Excellent organizational skills: high and consistent attention to detail with the ability to manage daily, weekly, and monthly tasks in a structured, fast-paced environment.
- Excellent administrative skills: ability to support a busy solicitation team and follow through on work assignments with minimal direct supervision.
- A demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, confidently, and professionally across a wide range of in-person and written interactions.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to anticipate the needs of an active fundraising team.
- Strength in proofreading and ardent attention to detail.
- The ability and desire to use and integrate programs for efficient database management and document development (Microsoft Suite, SharePoint, Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge).
- Basic administrative skills, including formatting Word documents, performing mail merges, and working with simple formulas in Microsoft Excel.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/HOURS
- Full-time (30-40 hours/week).
- In-office role based in Phoenix.
- The work takes place in an emotionally demanding environment located inside an animal shelter and requires high emotional intelligence, resilience, and the ability to collaborate effectively with deeply compassionate colleagues.
Compensation & Benefits
- Starting pay is $19.90 per hour and negotiable based on experience.
- Generous PTO, sick leave, and 12 paid holidays annually.
- 100% employer-paid medical and life insurance; dental, vision, and supplemental options available.
- Employer-supported professional development.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Eligible employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.