HR Associate - Donor Development Department

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HR Associate - Donor Development Department

Important: Candidates must be available to attend bi-weekly Donor Development team meetings on Tuesdays at 12:00 PM ET.

Help build and support a mission-aligned team that drives donor engagement.

We’re seeking an HR Associate to support the Donor Development team by owning and executing core HR tasks - from job postings and candidate screening to interviews and onboarding - while collaborating with the central HR team for alignment. This is an ideal opportunity for someone looking to take a more active, end-to-end role in people operations within a mission-driven environment.

Who We Are

WhoWhatWhy is a nonprofit investigative news organization producing deep-dive journalism on the most pressing issues of our time. We’re powered by skilled volunteers and a small core staff - from students to seasoned pros - who believe in ethical, independent journalism free from corporate or political influence.

About the Role

As an HR Associate dedicated to the Donor Development department, you will:

• Represent HR in bi-weekly donor development meetings (Tuesdays at 12:00 PM ET)
• Collaborate with department leads to identify staffing needs and role requirements
• Contribute to job description development and finalize approved versions for posting
• Post roles, monitor applications, and screen candidates based on departmental needs
• Conduct interviews and assist in selection and hiring recommendations
• Coordinate onboarding for new team members in collaboration with central HR
• Maintain candidate tracking and internal documentation related to open roles
• Help foster a values-aligned team culture by supporting communication and engagement efforts

What We’re Looking For

• Some experience in HR, recruiting, or team support (students and early-career professionals welcome!)
• Confidence and professionalism in interviewing and screening candidates
• Organized, responsive, and reliable in a remote setting
• Comfortable making decisions and moving processes forward with autonomy
• Interest in the donor engagement and nonprofit fundraising space
• Strong communicator and collaborator

What You’ll Gain

• Ownership over recruitment and hiring processes for a high-impact team
• Collaboration with professionals across HR, fundraising, and leadership
• A flexible, remote schedule (apart from required department meetings)

Commitment

We ask for a commitment of 5-7 hours per week and a minimum of 6 months. This includes regular team meetings, occasional follow-ups, and collaboration with our HR team.

How to Apply

Please send:

• Your resume
• A thoughtful cover letter telling us why this role speaks to you

If there’s no place to attach a cover letter, email it to hr@whowhatwhy.org. Check your spam folder for responses - they sometimes land there.

Reminder

We do not consider generic or AI-generated applications. Your submission should reflect your voice and alignment with our mission.

Join Us

This is your chance to contribute meaningfully to a purpose-driven newsroom by helping shape the team behind our donor engagement strategy.