American Enterprise Institute

Development Assistant, Operations

Job Locations US-DC-Washington
Job ID
2026-2639
# of Openings
1

Overview

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) seeks a hardworking, creative, detail-oriented, and highly organized individual to work in person with a talented team of fundraising professionals to cultivate donor relationships, share scholars’ work with supporters, and manage crucial database projects to strengthen AEI’s strategic outreach. This is a full-time, in-person position. The anticipated start date is as soon as possible.

 

This role offers a great opportunity for anyone interested in expanding on or developing a passion for nonprofit fundraising and public policy. The ideal candidate must be able to collaborate on a team, possess strong writing skills, and be able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

 

Qualified candidates should submit a resume, cover letter demonstrating their interest in AEI’s mission, academic transcript, and 500-word writing sample on any topic.

Responsibilities

  • Support AEI’s fundraising team in its effort to create, cultivate, and sustain relationships with donors and prospects to generate major gifts for AEI.
  • Manage and execute crucial projects for strategic outreach to donors, such as mass email communications and large mailings that promote AEI’s scholarly research to the AEI donor community.
  • Prepare strategy memos and conduct research on donors and prospects.
  • Assist with logistics for donor meetings and events.
  • Update, manage, and use AEI’s donor database for daily and weekly gift-management operational duties.
  • Work closely with the Accounting department on revenue reconciliation and annual audit preparation.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions at AEI

  • The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close-up vision for computer work.
  • The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
  • The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
  • Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phones, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
  • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

Qualifications

  • A bachelor’s degree (required)
  • 0–2 years of previous full-time work experience is required; previous internship or work experience in fundraising or at a nonprofit (a plus, but not required)
  • An interest in public policy and AEI’s mission
  • The ability to work closely on a team while independently managing multiple responsibilities
  • Exceptionally strong oral and written communication skills
  • The ability to meet tight deadlines, multitask, and prioritize
  • Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • High proficiency in Microsoft Office (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
  • Experience with customer relationship management and marketing software, especially Salesforce or Hubspot (a plus)
  • Experience with design, Adobe products, or branding (a plus)

Benefits
AEI offers generous benefits, including 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and three personal days or floating holidays); 12 days of paid sick leave; paid family leave; medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account; medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a 403(b) retirement plan with a contribution from AEI, among other benefits. For more information, you can see a full summary of our benefits at https://www.aei.org/jobs/benefits/.

 

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including the position’s scope and responsibilities; a candidate’s full-time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; and internal and external market considerations. The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $50,000–$54,000. Salary is just one component of AEI’s total compensation package for employees.

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