Development Writer

The Fuller Foundation; California; On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fuller Foundation in Pasadena, CA is seeking a creative Development Writer to support grant submissions and major donor communications. This role focuses on narrative development, funding design, and behind-the-scenes storytelling to articulate impact.

You will translate program data and budgets into compelling donor materials, collaborate with program and finance teams, and help shape fundraising initiatives while maintaining accuracy and consistency across communications.

Qualifications

• Creative and detail-oriented writer with storytelling expertise.
• Strong ability to translate budgets and impact data into donor-ready materials.
• Experience with foundation grant proposals and donor communications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead narrative development for cases for support and donor briefings.
• Collaborate with program and finance teams on funding initiatives.
• Craft narratives for foundation proposals and reports.
• Create high-impact content for major donor communications.
• Build budgets, timelines, and outcomes frameworks.
• Transform data into clear, donor-ready materials.

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

THE ORGANIZATION

The Fuller Foundation is an independent Christian philanthropic services organization that provides financial support for Fuller Theological Seminary through annual and endowment fundraising, gift planning, capital campaign management, and funding for restricted purposes. Founded in 1987 and located in Pasadena, CA, the Foundation also offers estate planning, charitable trust administration, donor-advised funds, endowment management, and investment management services for Fuller’s supporters. The Fuller Foundation’s purview further encompasses Fuller’s extensive alumni relations programs, serving Fuller’s more than 40,000 alumni globally.

Fuller Theological Seminary, the organization that The Fuller Foundation serves and supports, has had a global impact and rich history throughout its 75-year history. Today, its focus is to offer God’s hope and healing in the world. One of the largest multidenominational seminaries in the world, Fuller serves nearly 3,000 students and learners from 90 countries and 110 denominations. Two schools (School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy, and the School of Mission & Theology), multiple locations, and many renowned centers and institutions enable Fuller to offer a full range of master’s and doctoral programs in traditional, cohort-based, and virtual settings. Fuller further offers resources and significant formation and equipping opportunities for Christians who are not on a degree-track but are interested in deeper embodiment of their faith. From founder Charles E. Fuller’s original vision until now, Fuller Seminary’s core commitment has remained the same: equipping leaders with minds for scholarship and hearts for the unchanging, saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

We are seeking a creative and detail-oriented Development Writer to join our Advancement Team. This role focuses on producing persuasive, mission-driven written content that supports both grant submissions and individual major donor communications. Ideal candidates will combine storytelling expertise with a solid understanding of program budgeting and funding design.

This is a writing and strategy focused position. It does not involve direct fundraising, donor outreach, or prospecting. The Development Writer position involves crafting compelling narratives and written materials to support fundraising and communication efforts for a non-profit organization. The writer will work behind the scenes to help articulate the organization’s impact and future goals through compelling narratives and well-structured funding frameworks.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Narrative Development

• Lead the development of compelling and customized written materials including cases for support, campaign collateral, concept notes, and donor briefings that clearly articulate organizational goals and funding needs for specific fundraising initiatives and workstreams.
• Collaborate with program and finance teams to design fundable initiatives, including budgets, timelines, and outcomes frameworks.

Grant Support Writing

• Craft narrative components for foundation proposals, reports, and renewal applications.
• Work closely with the Director of Grants and Development Operations to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with funder expectations.

Major Donor Communications

• Produce high-impact content that speaks to high-net-worth individuals, including strategic giving proposals and project descriptions tailored to donor interests.
• Develop customized cases for support, concept notes, donor briefings, and campaign materials.

Funding Program Design

• Collaborate with program and finance teams to build fundable initiatives, including the development of basic budgets, timelines, outcomes frameworks, and sustainability narratives.
• Interpret program budgets and financial data to create compelling funding narratives.

Internal Liaison Work:

• Gather relevant programmatic, financial, and impact data from various departments and transform it into coherent donor-ready materials.
• Ensure accuracy and consistency across communications.

Content Development

• Contribute written material for newsletters, campaign updates, and select digital communications in support of development g