Development and Communications Coordinator

New Haven Ecology Project Inc; New Haven (CT); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Common Ground is seeking a high-energy Development and Communications Coordinator to support donor relations and communications across our programs. The role blends fundraising coordination, content creation, and intern mentorship, with opportunities to promote events and manage social media channels.

The position is primarily in-person with a flexible option to work from home one day per week, and involves occasional after-hours events and fundraising activities.

Qualifications

• Go-Getter mindset with initiative and ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Strong strategic writing for website, social posts, newsletters, and fundraising campaigns.
• Proficient with virtual meetings, content tools, cameras and social analytics.
• Willingness to take direction from teachers, staff and directors while reporting to the Director of Development & Communications.

Responsibilities

• Lead engagement and retention strategy for recurring donors and donors up to $500.
• Draft and deliver personalized thank-you letters and acknowledgment packages.
• Prepare briefing documents, slide decks, and folders for donor meetings and site visits.
• Assist in planning and executing fundraising events, including guest lists and on-site coordination.
• Manage donor data in the database to ensure accurate records.
• Capture video and photo content across programs; manage social media content planning (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok).
• Mentor interns and students in Media Club; support recruitment and outreach efforts.

Skills

Go-Getter Mindset

Strategic Writing

Technical Savvy

Flexibility

Job description

About the Position

Common Ground is seeking a high-energy, "outside-the-box" thinker to fill the multi-faceted role of Development and Communications Coordinator. As our fundraising and marketing needs grow, we need a proactive go-getter who can seamlessly pivot between uplifting our work community through digital media and executing essential donor relations tasks. This is a dynamic role for a self-starter who can foresee potential problems, plan for contingencies, and build deep trust across the organization.

Responsibilities

Development Coordination & Donor Relations

• Donor Stewardship: Lead the engagement and retention strategy for recurring monthly donors and donors giving up to the $500 level.
• Acknowledgment: Draft and manage the timely delivery of personalized thank-you letters and acknowledgment packages for all donors.
• Meeting Preparation: Prepare high-quality briefing documents, slide decks, and folders for donor meetings and site visits.
• Event Planning: Assist in the logistical planning and execution of fundraising events, including guest list management and on-site coordination.
• Venue Promotion : commission-based income for revenue generating use of Common Ground venue
• Data Support: Maintain and update donor information within the organization's database to ensure accurate record-keeping.

Communications & Media

• Content Creation: Capture video and photo content across the high school, urban farm, and community programs.
• Digital Strategy: Manage and plan content creation and posting on social media, including Instagram and Facebook and expanding to TikTok.
• Mentorship: Manage and provide robust training to interns at local colleges and students in Media Club.
• Recruitment: Working with CGHS leadership and staff to help with promoting: the lottery, accepted students, interviewing current students, etc.

Key Skills & Requirements

• Go-Getter Mindset: Proven ability to take initiative, juggle multiple competing priorities, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strategic Writing: Confident professional writing and proofreading skills for our website, social media posts, newsletters, and creative fundraising campaigns.
• Technical Savvy: Proficiency in managing virtual meetings, content development software, a digital camera, cell phones (iOS and Android), and social media analytics.
• Flexibility: Ability to take instruction and feedback from teachers, staff, managers, and department directors, while reporting to the Director of Development and Communications

Time and Travel

• Flexibility: While a typical work week is 20 hours, Monday-Friday, there will be times when you will need to work outside of these hours. Additionally, there will be times when you will have to create content off campus in order to cover the expansiveness of our work.

Work Schedule & Compensation

• Salary: $25 to $30 hourly, will commensurate with experience.
• In-Person & Hybrid Balance: This position is primarily in-person to capture the vibrant daily life of Common Ground. However, to support work-life balance, the employee has the option to work from home (WFH) one day per week.
• Extended Hours: Some nights and weekends are required for Board meetings, fundraising events, afterschool gatherings, and other work obligations.

This position is represented by our Collective Bargaining Agreement with UAW local 2110.