Communications Development Specialist

Homewardpikespeak; Loves Park (IL); On-site; USD 31,684 - 35,817; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision – employer pays 55%

Life insurance – employer pays 100%

401k – employer match is 2%

Paid vacation and sick leave

Employee Assistance Plan – employer pays 100%

Job summary

Homeward Pikes Peak in Loves Park, Illinois, is looking for a part-time Communications Development Specialist to support fundraising and donor engagement. This role involves creating content to promote the organization's mission and impact through various communication channels, including social media, newsletters, and grant proposals. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 2-5 years of experience in nonprofit communications or development. Flexible work environment and hourly compensation of $23-$26 offered.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years of experience in nonprofit communications, development support, or similar.
• Experience in development, fundraising, or community outreach.
• Hands-on experience with managing digital content.

Responsibilities

• Compose content to communicate the organization’s mission and values.
• Assist in producing written materials like newsletters and social media posts.
• Collaborate in creating fundraising campaign materials and grant proposals.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Social media management

Technical proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Canva

Social media platforms

Adobe Acrobat Pro

Job description

Homeward Pikes Peak empowers individuals and families to access stable housing, increase mental health, sobriety, and economic stability. We create opportunities for individuals and families to restore dignity through treatment and recovery programs, mental health services, and providing housing first. We do this through sober living homes, a residential treatment center for pregnant and parenting women, permanent supportive housing, and clinical programs provided by licensed staff. All of our programs offer case management to set our clients up for success.

SUMMARY

The Communications Development Specialist is a part time position that supports the Director of Development and the organization’s mission by developing and executing compelling communications that strengthen donor engagement, fundraising efforts, grant communications, and community awareness. This role plays a key part in telling the organization’s story – highlighting impact, programs, and outcomes – while ensuring messaging is consistent, ethically sound, and aligned with Homeward Pikes Peak’s best practices.

This is a part-time position working up to 24 hours per week, and reports to the Director of Development.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications & Project Coordination

• At the direction of the Director of Development, compose clear, inspiring, and accurate content that communicates the organization’s mission, values, and impact.
• Assist with producing written materials including newsletters, website content, social media posts, success stories, and community issues as appropriate.
• Assist with maintaining and updating website and email marketing content.
• Work with the Director of Development to gather stories, data, and outcomes from company programs.

Donor Engagement and Grants Support

• Collaborate closely with the Director of Development to help create fundraising campaign materials, donor stewardship communications, and annual appeals.
• Assist with grant-related activities including proposal narratives, reports, and impact summaries.
• Assist with donor calls, written correspondence, and timely follow-up to donor questions.
• Record and track donor gifts and ensure timely and accurate entry, acknowledgment letters, thank you letters, and calls.
• Assist with maintaining grants calendar with dates for all LOI’s, applications and reports to ensure timely submission of new and existing grants.

HOMEWARD PIKES PEAK TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend and participate in staff meetings.
• Attend and/or participate or interact with donors, attend community events, or fundraising as requested.
• Integrate with the overall organization and collaborate with the community.
• Produce documentation timely as requested for audits and audit resolutions.
• Maintain office environment to professional standards and display abundant teaming skills.
• Consistently display, adhere to, and promote the company’s values.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Ability to collaborate effectively across teams and work styles.
• Experience with trauma‑informed storytelling preferred but not required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail and high standards for quality.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Cultural humility and ability to communicate respectfully with diverse communities.
• Technical proficiency with social media platforms, website content management, analytics tools, and digital communication systems.
• Proficiency in general computer skills and Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook; and word processing, spreadsheets.
• Self-starter and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, English, Nonprofit Management, or related field.
• 2–5 years of experience in nonprofit communications, development support, or mission-driven storytelling.
• Experience working in development, fundraising, or community outreach, preferably in the nonprofit sector.
• Hands‑on experience developing and managing digital content for websites, social media platforms and email campaigns.
• Demonstrated proficiency with computer software: MS Office Suite, Canva, and social media platforms (Meta, LinkedIn, YouTube). Adobe Acrobat Pro desired.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to craft clear, concise, and engaging content.
• Strong attention to detail, editorial rigor, and understanding of style, grammar, and tone.
• Valid Colorado driver’s license, clean driving record, and must carry personal vehicle insurance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit at a desk or conference table; and talk or hear when interacting with various individuals and groups. The employee is occasionally required to stand while conversing with various individuals; and walk throughout the office. The employee occasionally is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel to operate the computer or telephone; may be required to stoop, kneel, or crouch to get items from low drawers or shelves. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, which is generally office supplies such as reams of paper, files, and forms.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment can range from quiet while in a private office to a mixture of background noise in common areas.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

Homeward Pikes Peak offers the following benefits for eligible full-time employees:

(Part-time employees are eligible for modified or reduced benefits.)

• Medical, Dental & Vision – employer pays 55% of premium
• Life, accidental death and dismemberment, and short term disability insurance – employer pays 100%
• 401k – employer match is 2%
• 18 days of vacation for years 0-5 accruing annually
• 6 days of paid sick leave accruing annually
• 6 paid holidays + 4 floating holidays
• Employee Assistance Plan – employer pays 100%
• Aflac insurances – employee paid

The pay for this position is $23 – $26 per hour. This is a part-time position authorized to work 24 hours per week.

Homeward Pikes Peak is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Homeward Pikes Peak makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.