Parents
The Shefa School is a Jewish community day school in Manhattan, serving students in grades K-8. Since opening in September 2014, Shefa has enrolled children who benefit from a specialized educational environment in order to develop their strengths while addressing their learning challenges. We specifically serve students with language-based learning disabilities who have not yet reached their potential levels of success in traditional classroom settings. Shefa is a pluralistic community school, serving families across the range of Jewish involvement and observance.
The Shefa School is growing rapidly. We opened our doors in 2014 with just 24 students, and our enrollment is now approaching 230 students. We continue to grow each year, and recently moved to a new state-of-the-art facility on the Upper West Side.
The Shefa School is seeking a Senior Advancement Associate to work full-time in person. This is a key role on our development team, supporting the Director of Advancement across all aspects of the school's fundraising initiatives. The Senior Advancement Associate manages donor data, tracks gifts and pledges, supports stewardship, and assists with communications and events. A successful candidate will be detail-oriented, proactive, and passionate about the mission of the School. This is a role with real ownership and room to grow — we invest in our people and are looking for someone who wants to build a career in advancement within a mission-driven school community.
● Partner with the Director of Advancement in the planning and execution of all development and fundraising initiatives, including annual campaigns, special events, and targeted appeals
● Manage all aspects of gift processing and donor records, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information in the development database, including giving history, pledge tracking, and timely acknowledgment of gifts
● Lead fundraising communications, including solicitation letters, email campaigns, and appeal collateral, ensuring all materials are prepared and distributed on schedule
● Oversee grant management, including tracking deadlines, compiling materials, and maintaining submission records
● Play a central role in coordinating the Annual Benefit, Phone-a-thon, and other events, including logistics, volunteer management, and donor engagement
● Serve as a liaison with the business office and generate reports and data analysis to support team strategy, donor research, and gift officer meetings
● Engage with board members, donors, and prospective supporters to advance cultivation and relationship-building efforts
● 2–4 years of professional experience in a nonprofit, development, or educational setting
● Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
● Strong written and verbal communication skills
● Experience with donor databases or CRM systems; familiarity with Veracross is a plus
● Proficiency in Google Workspace and comfort learning new platforms
● Discretion and professionalism in handling sensitive donor information
● A collaborative, proactive approach — someone who takes initiative and follows through
● Genuine passion for education and for the mission of The Shefa School
● Experience in Jewish communal organizations or day schools is a plus
