About FREOPP

The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP) is a nonprofit think tank that produces policy research and practical implementation strategies designed to expand opportunity for Americans who need it most.

FREOPP advances policy ideas that:

  • address the needs of individuals with wealth or income below the national median;
  • have the potential to earn bipartisan support; and
  • increase individual liberty.

Through rigorous analysis and practical implementation strategies, FREOPP develops durable policy solutions across healthcare, welfare reform, child welfare, housing, K–12, higher education, and more that expand opportunity and strengthen individual agency.

Position Summary

FREOPP seeks a Development Associate to help execute and strengthen the organization’s fundraising and donor engagement strategy during an important growth period.

This role is ideal for an early-career professional who is highly organized, detail-oriented, and energized by helping turn ideas into action. The Development Associate will support fundraising operations, donor stewardship, prospect development, grant management, and event execution while working closely with FREOPP’s President, Executive Vice President, and Operations Manager.

The Development Associate may work virtually from anywhere in the United States, though preference will be given to candidates willing to work from the FREOPP’s Washington, DC office. This position will report directly to the Executive Vice President.

The position offers meaningful opportunities for professional growth. While the role will initially emphasize backend execution and development operations, the expectation is that the successful candidate will progressively develop donor-facing responsibilities and cultivate external relationships over time, in addition to experience developing and executing successful fundraising systems and processes.

Core Responsibilities

Fundraising Strategy and Development Operations

  • Support the President, Executive Vice President, and Operations Manager in executing FREOPP’s fundraising strategy and annual development goals.
  • Manage and maintain donor records, pipeline activity, and reporting through FREOPP’s CRM system (Bloomerang).
  • Ensure timely gift processing, acknowledgements, thank-you letters, and donor stewardship communications.
  • Maintain accurate development reporting and support internal fundraising analysis.

Donor Engagement and Relationship Development

  • Conduct prospect research and support donor cultivation strategies.
  • Prepare donor briefing materials.
  • Assist in coordinating outreach and engagement efforts with supporters and institutional partners.
  • Develop increasing responsibility over time for relationship management and donor engagement.

Grants and Institutional Giving

  • Support preparation, submission, and administration of foundation and institutional grant proposals.
  • Track grant deadlines, reporting requirements, and deliverables to ensure timely completion.
  • Maintain systems to ensure that grant proposals and reports are submitted timely and accurately.

Events and Communications

  • Coordinate logistics for donor briefings in DC, Austin, and elsewhere.
  • Travel periodically (5%) to support event execution and represent FREOPP.
  • Collaborate with FREOPP’s marketing and branding team and policy scholars to translate research into compelling donor-facing content.

Qualifications

Required

  • 1–2 years of experience in development, fundraising, nonprofit operations, public policy, external affairs, communications, or a related field.
  • Exceptional attention to detail.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and consistently follow through on execution.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to anticipate needs, manage up effectively, and operate with discretion.
  • Comfort receiving direct feedback and incorporating that feedback quickly.
  • Positive, collaborative attitude and willingness to contribute where needed.
  • Creative, hardworking, and mission-aligned approach.
  • Interest in public policy and the role of philanthropy in advancing ideas.

Preferred

  • Experience using a donor database or CRM platform (Bloomerang, Salesforce, RaisersEdge, Hubspot).
  • Exposure to fundraising, donor engagement, grant writing, or nonprofit development operations.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Salary range of $55,000 – $65,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
  • Competitive benefits package, including health coverage, paid time off, and retirement benefits.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:

  • Cover letter including:
      • An introductory paragraph(s) describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to FREOPP’s mission and how you came to those beliefs.
      • Salary requirements
  • Resume

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/apply-for-your-dream-job/.

Questions can be directed to Katie Krout, Project Manager at Talent Market, who is managing the search process: [email protected]        

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

Talent Market is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.