We’re hiring a Development Associate

The Jersey Bee is a local, nonprofit news organization that works with the people it serves to provide news and reporting that meets local information needs, inspires civic participation, and improves the quality of life in Essex County and New Jersey.

We’re looking for a someone with experience in fundraising, development, marketing, or communications to support The Jersey Bee as a part-time Development Associate for four months beginning February 2026.

​​In this part-time role, limited-term role, you’ll work closely with our Engagement Producer and Executive Editor to help grow financial support for The Jersey Bee’s work. You’ll help us build and manage relationships with donors, corporations, and foundations through research, outreach, grantwriting, and other communications, strengthening ties with people who want to invest in civic information and community impact.

This role is 6–8 hours per week for four months, with opportunities for renewal and expansion depending on fundraising outcomes and organizational need. Candidates from New Jersey are preferred. The position is fully remote, but local candidates can attend in-person office hours when relevant.

The deadline to apply here is Feb. 2, 2026.

You should consider applying if:

• You have experience in fundraising, development, grant writing, or donor relations – or you’re eager to grow those skills with coaching and clear goals.
• You’re confident working with (or learning) tools like Google Suite, Slack, Airtable, Mailchimp, Eventbrite, and Canva.
• You’re a self-starter, organized, and able to manage multiple small projects on deadline.
• You want to help people access reliable local news, resources, and opportunities to participate in civic life.

What you’ll do

As a Development Associate for The Jersey Bee, you will:

• Research potential foundation, corporate, and funding partners aligned with The Jersey Bee’s mission, strategy, and values.
• Maintain a tracker in Airtable and keep relationship notes up to date.
• Draft and tailor outreach emails and follow-ups.
• Help schedule and support donor conversations.
• Identify grant opportunities and track deadlines and requirements.
• Draft and assemble grant applications, LOIs, and supporting documents.
• Collaborate with staff to capture stories, metrics, and community impact that strengthen fundraising.

Who we’re looking for

Here are some things that make a good candidate:

• Understanding of and commitment to The Jersey Bee’s mission and values.
• Strong communication skills, with an ability communicate respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds in writing, virtually, and in-person.
• Strong research skills and good judgment with an ability to quickly learn about people and organizations and summarize key takeaways.
• Can effectively take direction, give feedback, and ask questions when needed.
• Dependable, with excellent time-management skills and an ability to work on deadline.

More about the role and compensation

Here is more about the compensation:

• Hourly wage: $30.85.
• Hours per week: 6-8.
• Sick-paid time-off: Begin with 8 hours.

Here’s more about your schedule:

• The period of employment for this role is approximately February 2026 to May 2026.
• You’ll set a schedule with your supervisor that works for you, but you should be available 1-2 hours per week during daytime working hours for meetings if required.
• You’ll work remotely but stay in touch with Slack, Google Meet, email, and phone.
• You are welcome to attend weekly team in-office days in Montclair, N.J., when relevant.
• This role is a limited-term, at-will employment, and renewal depends on fundraising success.

How to apply

Click here to apply for Development Associate at The Jersey Bee by Feb. 2. Questions? Email connect@jerseybee.org.

About our hiring process

Communications expectations

The Jersey Bee will collect applications until the deadline. Candidates will be invited to move forward to interviews 1-2 business days after the deadline. Candidates who don’t make the next stage of the application process will also be informed at this time. The Bee’s staff will conduct 1-2 interviews with each remaining candidate before moving forward with offers and rejections. The selection process should take no more than two weeks.

Accommodations

The Jersey Bee offers, upon request, accommodations for candidates with disabilities during the application, interview, and hiring process. If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us.

Equal opportunity employer

Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, immigrants, women and femmes, LGBTQI+ individuals, people with disabilities, neurodiverse people, and formerly convicted, incarcerated, or systems-impacted people are highly encouraged to apply.

The Jersey Bee does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, political affiliation, exercising one’s right to family care and medical leave, medical condition, including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions, or any other category protected by local, state, or federal laws. We are not offering US visa sponsorship at this time.