Director of Public Relations and Development

LARC Lansing; Lansing (IL); On-site; USD 62,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Referral program

Vision insurance

Job summary

LARC Lansing is seeking a Director of Public Relations & Development to lead fundraising, media relations, and communications efforts in support of its mission. You will oversee donor relations, grant writing, event planning, and newsletter production to grow impact for adults with developmental disabilities.

The role requires collaboration with the development team, board, and volunteers to identify and solicit individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Minimum 5 years experience in fundraising events.
• Minimum 5 years experience in grant writing and newsletter development.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Promote community awareness through education and outreach.
• Develop and maintain media relations; serve as spokesperson.
• Produce and edit a quarterly newsletter; coordinate distribution.
• Develop funding sources; oversee donor database and acknowledgments.
• Plan, supervise, and execute fundraising events and campaigns.

Skills

Communication

Fundraising experience

Grant writing

Newsletter development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

Excel

Publisher

Word

Job description

Company Description LARC Lansing is a 70-year-old nonprofit community-service organization that supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in leading quality, engaging lives as contributing members of their communities. Supports include community day services, choice-driven classroom and recreational activities, job training and placement, service facilitation, and community-integrated living arrangements in single-family group homes. Guided by a mission to pave pathways through individualized supports, LARC promotes self-directed lifestyles and an inclusive society that embraces each person’s individuality.

Join a Mission That Matters!

Are you a creative storyteller, relationship builder, and community champion who believes everyone deserves the opportunity to live a meaningful, fulfilling, and independent life?

Our nonprofit is looking for an energetic and innovative Director of Public Relations & Development to help us grow our impact and share the incredible stories of the people we support.

This is more than a communications and fundraising position — it’s an opportunity to be the voice of a mission that changes lives every day.

This position requires a comprehensive understanding and background to develop and implement strategies to identify, cultivate, and successfully solicit individuals, corporations, foundations, and government to increase the agency’s fundraising budget. The ideal candidate will have experience in leading a department that implements strong fundraising principles and practices, high level of professionalism, collegiality, self-motivation, and a strong belief in the mission and principles and practices of LARC. Additionally, the successful candidate will possess the ability to work collaboratively with the development team and all of the other departments of LARC, including the Board of Trustees and volunteers.

Position Responsibilities:

Promote Community Awareness through providing education and information to the members and the community regarding LARC’s work and its mission. Participate in strategically identified community groups and organizations, utilize media sources, produce quarterly newsletters, brochures, direct mailings, and the agency web site to increase awareness. Help plan, coordinate, and participate in community activities.

Develop and maintain media relations and publicity by establishing a working relationship with members of the media as well as maintaining and constantly updating media lists including contact information and deadlines. To serve as a spokesperson for the agency and maintain the current agency website. Responsible for pre-publicity of all agency events and campaigns and handle all calls of inquiry as well as event follow-up.

Produce and edit a quarterly newsletter by meeting the established timeline developed for submission of material to the printer. Research background of stories, write/edit stories and prepare layout on computer as well as select appropriate photographs to accompany selected stories. Coordinate proofing of and completion of the newsletter with the printer. Oversee the distribution to all members, donors, and those specifically mentioned in the newsletter as well as the existing mailing list. Ensure a copy of the current newsletter is attached to the agency web site.

Development of funding sources for the agency through a variety of avenues. Oversight and management of the donor database; tracking and insuring input of all donations, gifts, and volunteerism. Responsible for drafting and coordination of mailings and acknowledgement letters.

Planning and oversight of all fundraising events including, but not limited to, Annual Appreciation Dinner, Walk-a-thon, Golf Outing, etc. This includes coordination and supervision of volunteers as well as handling solicitation of funds and in-kind donations for the events. Also included is the arranging of all invitations and publicity related to the event as well as coordination of vendors, parking, entertainment, and decorations.

Grants by researching available grants including restrictions and deadlines. As well as working to establish project ideas to be proposed for possible funding. Draft grant proposals, coordination of materials, and follow-up reporting with grant issuer.

Annual Fund Campaign through planning and coordination of direct mailing to approximately 5,000 to 7,000 past and potential donors. Determine demographic mailing areas as well as drafting solicitation materials, coordinate printing, oversee bulk mailing, track campaign results and issue thank you letters.

Membership through coordination of annual membership drives appealing to parents, guardians, board members, and affiliate members. Responsible to draft solicitation letters and membership forms as well as tracking results and issuing thank you letters.

Job Qualifications:

• Possess a bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Possess at least 5 years experience working on fundraising events
• Possess at least 5 years experience of grant writing and newsletter development
• Possess good communication skills both verbal and written
• Possess computer skills including use of excel, publisher, and word

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $62,000.00 - $69,000.00 per year

• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance