About Us

Founded in 1982, ELEM/Youth in Distress in Israel is the countrys leading nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying, addressing, and transforming the lives of at-risk and vulnerable youth.

Each year, ELEM serves more than 13,000 young people, both face-to-face and online, who are coping with complex challenges including domestic violence, substance abuse, neglect, bullying, homelessness, and exploitation.

ELEM works with youth from all sectors of Israeli society, including secular and religious Jews, Christian and Muslim Arabs, immigrants from the Former Soviet Union and Ethiopia, and LGBTQ youth. Many of the young people ELEM serves live on the margins and do not seek help from traditional social service systems. ELEMs model is proactive and outreach-based, meeting youth where they areon the streets, in schools, online, and in community spaces.

American Friends of ELEM is the U.S.-based partner organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness to sustain and expand ELEMs life-saving programs in Israel.

Position Overview

American Friends of ELEM is seeking a motivated, relationship-driven Development Officer to support and grow our fundraising efforts across Massachusetts and a select group of additional states, including Maryland, Ohio, and Illinois.

The Development Officer will manage donor relationships within this regional portfolio, cultivate new supporters, and help expand ELEMs presence in both established and emerging markets. Working closely with the CEO and development team, this individual will play a key role in strengthening donor engagement, supporting events, and advancing fundraising strategies aligned with organizational goals.

This role is ideal for someone who is comfortable managing a multi-state portfolio, enjoys building relationships across communities, and is excited to help grow a mission-driven organization.

Key Responsibilities

Donor Development & Fundraising

• • Manage and grow a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation donors across Massachusetts and assigned additional states.
  • Identify, cultivate, and steward new and existing donors through personalized outreach, meetings, and events.
  • Conduct in-person and virtual donor meetings to build relationships and advance philanthropic support.
  • Support fundraising events, donor briefings, and cultivation opportunities within the assigned region.
  • Assist in identifying and nurturing prospective board members, committee members, and chapter or advisory participants.

Strategy & Planning

• • Partner with the CEO to support and implement regional fundraising strategies and campaigns.
  • Contribute to planning efforts for expanding ELEMs footprint in both established and emerging markets.
  • Support outreach strategies aligned with annual revenue and engagement goals.

Collaboration & Representation

• • Work closely with communications, grants, and operations teams to support donor proposals, materials, and reports.
  • Represent American Friends of ELEM at events, meetings, and community gatherings across the region.
  • Communicate ELEMs mission, programs, and impact clearly and compellingly to diverse audiences.

Donor Stewardship & Reporting

• • Maintain accurate and timely donor records and interaction notes using Don…