Refugee Youth Solidarity through Education (RYSE) is recruiting a remote Development Coordinator to support its fundraising, grant writing, and donor engagement efforts. The position is a part-time, contract-based role designed for a mid-level development professional with strong writing skills and experience in nonprofit fundraising.
About RYSE
RYSE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting refugee youth in Rhode Island, United States. Its mission is to foster literacy, confidence, leadership, and community belonging among K–12 refugee students through structured educational and enrichment programs.
The organization is best known for its flagship initiative, a five-week summer camp program serving approximately 100 refugee youth annually. The camp provides a safe and engaging learning environment that combines academic support with enrichment activities.
Key components of the program include:
- Literacy and math instruction tailored to student needs
- Hands-on learning and creative enrichment activities
- Field trips designed to broaden educational exposure
- Free breakfast and lunch for all participants
- Social and emotional support in a community-centered environment
Founded in 2011 as a community-based summer initiative, RYSE operated for over a decade through partnerships and fiscal sponsorship. In 2023, it transitioned into an independent nonprofit organization. Since becoming independent, RYSE has focused on expanding its programs, strengthening its institutional capacity, and increasing its funding base to serve more refugee youth.
Role Overview
The Development Coordinator will report directly to the Executive Director and will play a central role in advancing RYSE’s fundraising and development strategy. The position focuses primarily on grant writing, donor cultivation, and resource mobilization.
This is a flexible, remote position, designed for approximately 20 hours of work per week. The role combines strategic fundraising responsibilities with hands-on proposal writing and donor engagement.
The ideal candidate will be comfortable working independently, managing multiple deadlines, and contributing to the long-term financial sustainability of a growing nonprofit organization.
Key Responsibilities
The Development Coordinator will be responsible for a wide range of development and fundraising functions.
Grant Writing and Reporting
The primary responsibility of the role is to support and lead grant writing efforts. This includes:
- Writing and submitting grant proposals to foundations and institutional donors
- Preparing grant reports and ensuring compliance with donor requirements
- Developing and maintaining a grant calendar with deadlines and submissions
- Collaborating with internal leadership to align funding proposals with program needs
Fundraising and Donor Engagement
The coordinator will help expand RYSE’s funding base through:
- Researching new funding opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government sources
- Identifying and cultivating relationships with potential donors and partners
- Conducting outreach through email, phone, and networking efforts
- Supporting fundraising campaigns and donor communication strategies
Strategic Development Support
In addition to operational tasks, the role contributes to broader organizational planning:
- Assisting in the development of long-term fundraising strategies
- Maintaining a database of current and prospective funding sources
- Supporting planning for organizational growth and sustainability
- Participating in strategy discussions with leadership and the fundraising committee
Administrative and Financial Support
The Development Coordinator will also assist with administrative aspects of fundraising:
- Tracking donations, grants, and income sources
- Supporting basic bookkeeping and financial documentation
- Maintaining accurate records of fundraising activities and outcomes
Meetings and Events
The role includes participation in organizational activities such as:
- Monthly fundraising committee meetings (typically held after business hours)
- Occasional fundraising events, workshops, or conferences (fewer than five per year)
- Internal coordination meetings with the Executive Director
Candidate Profile
RYSE is seeking a motivated development professional with strong communication skills and a passion for nonprofit work.
Required qualifications:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proven experience in grant writing or nonprofit fundraising
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, or equivalent tools
- Ability to work independently in a remote environment
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience working in education, refugee services, or community-based organizations
- Familiarity with diverse or immigrant communities
- Experience in donor relations or fundraising strategy development
- Exposure to marketing, communications, or digital fundraising tools (an advantage but not required)
The ideal candidate is someone who is both detail-oriented and strategic, capable of writing compelling grant proposals while also contributing to broader fundraising direction.
Compensation and Work Structure
This is a hybrid compensation role combining hourly pay with performance-based incentives:
- Base rate: $25 per hour
- Maximum hours: 20 hours per week
- Performance bonus: 5% commission on successfully secured grants
This structure is designed to reward both consistent effort and successful fundraising outcomes.
The position offers flexible scheduling and remote work arrangements, allowing the coordinator to manage work independently while coordinating with RYSE leadership as needed.
Work Environment
The Development Coordinator will work remotely, with flexibility to operate from any location. However, preference will be given to candidates based in Rhode Island or the Northeastern United States due to potential collaboration opportunities and occasional engagement activities.
Some time flexibility is required for:
- Monthly evening fundraising committee meetings
- Limited in-person or virtual fundraising events
- Occasional coordination meetings with leadership
The organization values adaptability, collaboration, and strong communication in a remote working environment.
Start date: 1 June 2026
Application deadline: 15 May 2026
Compensation: USD $25/hour (up to 20 hours per week) + 5% commission on successfully secured grants
Location: Remote (preference for Rhode Island or Northeastern United States candidates)
Applications: careers@campryse.org
Application Process
Interested candidates are invited to apply by submitting the following:
- A current resume
- A cover letter (250–400 words) outlining relevant experience and motivation
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Closing Summary
This role provides an opportunity for a development professional to contribute directly to the growth of a mission-driven nonprofit serving refugee youth. The Development Coordinator will play a key role in securing funding, building donor relationships, and supporting the long-term sustainability of educational programs that make a meaningful impact in the lives of young refugees.
By joining RYSE, the selected candidate will contribute to expanding access to education, strengthening community integration, and supporting the success of refugee students through structured, high-quality programming.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
