Partnerships Associate

The Maker Ed Partnerships Associate (PA) supports fundraising and partnership engagement efforts. This includes working closely with the Director of Strategic Partnerships to support departmental operations that relate to  resource mobilization. More specifically, the PA will focus on constituent mobilization, fundraising and awareness campaigns, grant writing, and special events. They will also support the full range of activities required to seek and manage grants from foundations, corporations, nonprofit organizations, civic groups and government entities. 

The strongest candidates for this position will be excited about refining and creating the systems that support the mobilization of resources from within our growing community of donors, funders, and program partners. We are looking for someone who is self-driven and finds ease in working on detailed projects. We also hope this person is able to see the big picture of how their responsibilities fit with the larger vision of our organization. We look forward to working with someone who is comfortable navigating the balance between raising money, activating our community, and transforming education for a more equitable future.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Supports programs and activities to secure funding from individuals, corporations, foundations and government sources to include special events, annual and seasonal campaigns and specific program fundraising. More specifically:
    • Conducts prospect research to identify relevant funding opportunities from private foundations, government institutions, and corporate partners;
    • With the Director of Strategic Partnerships, drafts content for grant and other partnership proposals;
    • Maintains a calendar of upcoming funding opportunities, submission deadlines, reporting deadlines and requirements, and supports in the implementation therein (incl. coordination with program team members, Impact and Scalability Manager, Directors of Storytelling and Learning as needed);
    • Conducts research to identify potential program partners and earned income opportunities;
    • Looks for opportunities to seek individual support from our broader community as related to our programmatic activities;
    • Supports the logistics of all partner events, with Operations Manager and other team members;
    • Maintains consistent contact with current partners by sending gift acknowledgements and other thank you notes.
  • Maintains the accuracy and integrity of databases by ensuring that all information is kept current and up to date.
  • Provides support to various committees and volunteers during fundraising campaigns and events.
  • Assists with the creation and finalization of guest lists and distribution lists.
  • Mails flyers and other correspondence to potential donors, volunteers and guests in order to inform them of events and activities.
  • Provides support to other communication and outreach efforts.
  • Performs basic administrative duties such as filing, data entry, maintaining a filing system and more.
  • Assists in scheduling meetings with prospective funders and donors.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have 1-3 years of relevant experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, operations, finance, or relevant fields, and:

  • Centered equity, justice, and liberation in their previous work;
  • Experience working with a smart and passionate team;
  • Familiarity with Maker Ed’s learning pedagogy (hands-on, liberatory, anti-racist learning practices). Even better if you have some experience creating your own maker-centered learning experiences and activities! 
  • Proficiency with project management software like Asana.
  • Experience working with web-based constituent database software (CiviCRM, Salesforce, eTapestry, Tessitura, etc.)
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
  • Proficiency using spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel.
  • Proficiency using Google Suite applications.

Nice to have:

  • Experience working in any kind of educational setting is a huge plus! 
  • Design experience, an artistic eye, and a willingness to be creative!
  • Some experience in nonprofit or financial management.

Accessibility & Work Environment

Our national office, “The Community Studio,” is located in Berkeley, California. Maker Ed staff work on a hybrid schedule, with some staff fully remote and some staff in the office 1-3 days a week. We are open to this being a remote position, but we have a preference for candidates who would also be working on Pacific time or are within driving distance from our office. We are also interested in meeting candidates who might be interested in moving to the Bay Area once the COVID-19 pandemic is over. 

  • Requires sitting, talking, and listening for 4+ hours per day. An average of 4-5 hours per day will be spent at a computer using a keyboard. Reaching with hands and arms is necessary. Certain situations may require lifting items up to 20 pounds. Position requires the ability to travel by car or plane for required local and national travel.
  • Work performed in the Berkeley-area office offers closed door offices with natural light and windows to fresh air, as well as an outdoor seating and lounging area in our back garden. 
  • Staff who need or choose to work in the office must show proof of vaccination. Maker Ed maintains safety protocols for mask wearing, social distancing, and cleaning while in the office.
  • Occasional local SF Bay Area travel may be required for this position.
  • COVID – 19 Vaccine Policy: In accordance with Maker Ed’s duty and commitment to prioritize the health and safety of employees and provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, employees are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This policy applies to all employees [including temporary employees and contractors] who will interact with the public and/or co-workers. We adopted this policy to safeguard the health of our employees and their families, our partners and visitors, and the community at large from COVID-19. This policy complies with all applicable laws and is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the California Department of Public Health, the Alameda County health department and all applicable state and local health orders.

How to Apply

Visit https://makered.org/get-involved/careers/apply/ to submit your resume, cover letter, and a sample of your work. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until Friday, February 18, 2022. The application process will include an initial remote conversation (via Zoom or phone) with one Maker Ed staff, a remote interview (via Zoom) that includes submitting work on a sample project, and a final remote interview (via Zoom).

Details and Logistics

This is a full-time position, which is currently four days a week. This schedule may return to a five-day work week.

The base salary for this position is $50,000 depending on experience. In addition, we offer 100% employer paid health, vision, and dental coverage for employees and dependents are covered with a $25 monthly co-pay. In addition, we match requirement contributions up to 5% with flexible investment opportunities to help you manage your personal financial planning. 

We offer these supports to promote work – life balance:

  • Paid time off: vacation; holidays; sick days (if you, a partner, family member are sick) and mental health wellness time.
  • We close down for 1 week in the summer and 2 weeks in December to provide all staff time to rest and take a break together. 

About Maker Ed

Maker Ed is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating more opportunities for all young people to develop confidence, creativity, and interest in science, technology, engineering, math, art, and learning as a whole through making. Through its support of educators and communities, Maker Ed plays a national leadership role in both broadening access to and deepening the impact of meaningful making and learning experiences for youth.

Learn more about who we are and what we do at MakerEd.org.

Maker Education Initiative is an independent 501c3 and “at-will,” equal opportunity employer. Maker Ed is committed to equity as an organizational priority and we strongly encourage applicants from a diversity of backgrounds and from communities most impacted by an unjust education system. Employees shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity (including pregnancy and/or gender expression), color, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application. Maker Ed is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from candidates of color.

Our Vision

We believe maker-centered learning has the power to transform the educational experience for every child, and we imagine a future in which all children––regardless of class, gender, race, ability, or geography––have equitable access to learning experiences that support the development of their own agency and problem solving dispositions as they become lifelong change-makers.

Our Mission

The mission of Maker Ed is to harness the potential of making to transform teaching and learning. 

Maker Ed’s Values

We are a values driven organization, and believe that in order to do our work effectively, we must model the practices and values inherent in the work we do. Our values drive our decision making, programs, and the learning experiences we hope educators will shape for children when they engage in making.  

  • Equity. We believe maker education must ensure that every child gets what they need to develop creativity, knowledge, and skills for life. 
  • Community. We honor the history, culture, strengths, and leadership in communities. We value teamwork and collaboration, building relationships and connecting with others to achieve common goals
  • Joy. We believe that classrooms should be lively and full of joyful exploration and discovery, understanding that hope plays an integral role in being able to imagine and work towards a vibrant future. 
  • Agency. We trust that children are inherently capable and we prioritize learners receiving the resources and support they need to voice and act on their unique thoughts, choices, and ideas.
  • Learning. We believe that learning experiences should create opportunities for students to follow their own passion and curiosity, find their purpose, and become lifelong learners.