Development Services Associate

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is currently hiring for a full-time, hourly, non-exempt and benefited, Development Services Associate at our Miramar location.

About the San Diego Food Bank
Established in 1977, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is a critical component to the welfare of San Diego County, providing nutritious food to people in need, advocating for the hungry and educating the public about hunger-related issues. For more information about the organization, please visit

Our Mission:
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and our North County Food Bank Chapter provide nutritious food to people in need, advocate for the hungry, and educate the public about hunger-related issues.

Did you know?

• The San Diego Food Bank feeds approximately 400,000 people every month in partnership with 450 nonprofit community partners.
• We are the fourth largest independent food bank in the country.
• We distributed 52 million pounds of food in fiscal year 2024-2025; almost 45% of that food being fresh produce.
• We have a 99% rating on Charity Navigator.

We are committed to innovation and sustainability to reduce our impact on the environment. We have 1,400 solar panels, we are LEED v4 Gold Certified, we have a 3,600 sq. ft composting and recycling center that houses our recycling and composting machine and received the 2020 Business Waste Reduction & Recycling award.

Position Purpose
The Development Services Associate supports the operational and data needs of the Development Department by ensuring accurate gift processing, donor record maintenance, and timely acknowledgments. This role serves as a key contributor to donor data integrity and fundraising operations, functioning at a level above routine data entry while operating under the guidance of the Development Services Coordinator and Manager. The Associate plays an important role in maintaining efficient workflows, supporting donor stewardship efforts, and upholding ethical fundraising standards .

Primary Responsibilities
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this position. All duties are expected to be performed in accordance with existing company policy and procedure. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Accurately process and record gifts from multiple sources including online, mail, and direct donations in the donor database.
• Maintain and update constituent records to ensure accuracy, consistency, and completeness of donor data.
• Prepare and issue donor acknowledgment letters within established timelines, escalating exceptions as needed.
• Support recurring gift processing and assist in resolving routine donor account issues.
• Assist with lockbox imports and data uploads as assigned, adhering to established quality control standards.
• Run standard reports and data exports to support development operations and donor services activities.
• Conduct basic donor research and data verification projects under direction.
• Follow established procedures for handling confidential and sensitive donor information.
• Collaborate with Development Services staff to ensure smooth daily operations and timely task completion.
• Identify data discrepancies or process issues and elevate them to the Development Services Coordinator.
• Document procedures and assist with database clean-up or maintenance projects.
• Provide courteous and professional support when responding to internal or external donor-related inquiries.
• Participate in training to build proficiency in database systems and fundraising operations.
• Perform additional related duties as assigned.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal Development Services Associate is detail-oriented, dependable, and eager to grow within nonprofit development operations. They bring more than basic data entry skills, demonstrating an understanding of how accurate donor data supports fundraising, stewardship, and donor trust. This individual is comfortable working with donor databases, follows established procedures closely, and knows when to escalate issues. They are organized, collaborative, and committed to supporting the mission of the San Diego Food Bank.

Education, Training and Experience
A typical way of obtaining the necessary education, training, and experience for this position includes:

• H igh school diploma or equivalent required; bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management,
• communications, business administration, or related field preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience in a nonprofit development or fundraising environment preferred.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Donor database systems such as Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar CRMs.
• Gift processing and acknowledgment best practices.
• General nonprofit fundraising and donor stewardship concepts.
• Data accuracy, quality control, and confidentiality standards.
• Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Word.

Ability to:

• Perform accurate and efficient data entry with strong attention to detail.
• Follow established procedures while managing multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with team members and donors.
• Recognize data issues and escalate appropriately.
• Work independently on assigned tasks while contributing to team goals.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise of sound judgment when handling donor information.
• Learn new systems, tools, and processes efficiently.
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills in a collaborative team environment.

Licenses, Certificates, Special Requirements

• Valid California driver’s license and reliable transportation, as some local travel may be required.
• Certification in fundraising (e.g., CFRE) is a plus but not required.
• Completion of any relevant data entry, database management, or nonprofit development courses is desirable.
• Willingness to undergo additional training in Raiser’s Edge NXT or other software tools as necessary.

Compensation
This is a full-time, non-exempt, hourly, benefited position.

• A market-level competitive salary is between $24.00 - $27.00 per hour based on experience and qualifications.
• The compensation package includes a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package including: 403(b) plan with 200% employer matching; excellent health care coverage with free employee medical, dental and vision plans; company paid term life insurance; and a generous accrual of paid vacation and sick leave.

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday from 8:00am – 4:30pm
• This is a full-time, on-site position, requiring daily attendance at the organization's primary office or designated work location.
• Occasional overtime or weekend shifts may be required during high-volume periods, particularly from October to January to support increased workload and special events. Advance notice will be provided whenever possible.

How to Apply

• Interested and qualified candidates should apply below.
• Submissions missing a resume will not be considered for the position.
• Background check and drug test are required for the position before employment starts.