Donor Communications Writer

California State University, Long Beach; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Health benefits

Retirement plans (CalPERS)

Tuition fee waiver

Flexible benefits

Job summary

California State University, Long Beach seeks a Donor Communications Writer to develop impactful messages that highlight philanthropy and strengthen donor stewardship.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Planned Giving & Stewardship, you will plan, research, write, edit, and proofread editorial content across print, digital, and social media to support fundraising and engagement with alumni, donors, and friends of the university.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field and two years of related professional or technical experience required.
• Five years of professional writing and editing experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Donor Engagement & Communications - Research, write, edit, and proofread compelling written materials—including stewardship pieces; scholarship and endowment impact reports; donor briefings and proposals; acknowledgment letters; donor and student stories or testimonials; event materials and scripts; website and newsletter content; and planned giving marketing communications—that express gratitude, demonstrate impact, and inspire continued or future giving.
• Cultivate partnerships with colleagues across the division, campus departments, faculty, and donors to proactively identify meaningful stories, testimonials, and engagement opportunities.
• Coordinate with design, photography, videography, and media relations teams to produce cohesive, high-quality communications that align with university messaging and brand standards.
• Digital & Social Media Support - Collaborate with the division colleagues to develop and share content across digital and social media platforms that amplifies stewardship and planned giving messages. Monitor engagement metrics and recommend strategies to strengthen donor connections and increase visibility across channels.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Research

Storytelling

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Job description

Join the vibrant community at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)!

Located just three miles from the Pacific Ocean, CSULB offers an inspiring workplace and an exceptional Southern California lifestyle. Our 322-acre campus—one of the largest in the CSU system—serves more than 42,000 students and is known for its commitment to student success, innovation, and impactful academic and research initiatives.

As a member of the CSULB community, you’ll experience a dynamic environment filled with cultural landmarks, collaborative energy, and opportunities to make a meaningful difference.

Work-life balance thrives here. Long Beach blends coastal relaxation with urban vibrancy, offering miles of beaches, year-round sunshine, a thriving arts and food scene, and convenient access to both Los Angeles and Orange County. It’s an ideal place to grow your career while enjoying everything Southern California has to offer.

Join the California State University (CSU) and explore career opportunities that advance student success and strengthen California’s future—offering competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and professional growth.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Assistant Vice President for Planned Giving & Stewardship, the Donor Communications Writer develops impactful messages that highlight the importance of philanthropy and strengthen donor stewardship across the university. This position is responsible for planning, researching, writing, editing, and proofreading editorial content across print, digital, and social media platforms to support fundraising, donor engagement, and strategic communications. Working collaboratively with colleagues across University Relations & Development and campus partners, the writer crafts stories that inspire giving, convey appreciation, and deepen connections with alumni, donors, and friends of the university.

Key Responsibilities

• Donor Engagement & Communications - Research, write, edit, and proofread compelling written materials—including stewardship pieces; scholarship and endowment impact reports; donor briefings and proposals; acknowledgment letters; donor and student stories or testimonials; event materials and scripts; website and newsletter content; and planned giving marketing communications—that express gratitude, demonstrate impact, and inspire continued or future giving.
• Cultivate partnerships with colleagues across the division, campus departments, faculty, and donors to proactively identify meaningful stories, testimonials, and engagement opportunities.
• Coordinate with design, photography, videography, and media relations teams to produce cohesive, high-quality communications that align with university messaging and brand standards.
• Digital & Social Media Support - Collaborate with the division colleagues to develop and share content across digital and social media platforms that amplifies stewardship and planned giving messages. Monitor engagement metrics and recommend strategies to strengthen donor connections and increase visibility across channels.

Department

Planned Giving & Stewardship

Time Base

1.0 time-base, 40 hours per week.

Duration of Appointment

This is a temporary position for 1 year with no permanent status granted. Temporary assignments may expire prior to the ending date.

Classification

Marketing Communications Professional II

Compensation

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources.

• Hiring Range: The hiring range for this position is $5,178 (Step 1) - $5,948 (Step 8) per month commensurate with candidate's education, experience, skills, and training.
• CSU Classification Salary Range: The CSU Classification Salary Range for this position is $5,178 (Step 1) - $7,543 (Step 20) per month.

Benefits

At California State University (CSU), we prioritize the health, growth, and success of our employees. Our benefits program reflects our commitment to your overall well-being.

To Be Eligible For Full Benefits, Employees Must Be Appointed At Least Half-time (.50 FTE) With An Appointment Lasting More Than Six Months And One Day. Benefits Eligibility And Offerings May Vary Based On Appointment Type, Classification, And Applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement. Eligible Employees May Have Access To a Comprehensive Benefits Package That Can Include:

• Paid Time Off: Up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group and/or length of service), 14 paid holidays, and 12 sick days annually with unlimited accrual.
• Health Coverage: A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement Plans: Participation in the CalPERS defined benefit plan, along with voluntary savings options such as 403(b), 401(k), and 457 plans.
• Educational Benefits: Tuition fee waiver programs for eligible employees; dependent eligibility varies by employee group and bargaining unit.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.
• Additional Benefits: Wellness programs, professional development opportunities, and insurance options including life, disability, and pet insurance.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

The ideal candidate is a skilled communications professional with exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling abilities, capable of developing compelling content across print, web, email, and social media platforms while maintaining a consistent voice and message. They possess strong interpersonal skills and thrive in collaborative environments, working effectively with faculty, donors, university leadership, designers, and other communications professionals to create cohesive, high-impact materials. With a solid understanding of communication, marketing, and storytelling principles, they are passionate about strengthening donor engagement and communicating the meaningful impact of philanthropy through strategic and audience-focused messaging.

In addition, the ideal candidate is highly organized and adept at managing multiple priorities while delivering high-quality work under tight deadlines. They are experienced in applying marketing and content strategy techniques, including the use of digital analytics and audience insights to inform creative decisions and measure engagement. A strong understanding of higher education or nonprofit communications enables them to translate institutional goals into effective donor and stewardship communications. They are also skilled at building productive relationships, providing consultative guidance, and representing the division professionally, while exercising discretion and maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and confidentiality when handling sensitive donor and university information.

Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community. Ability to follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, and non-discrimination policies and procedures. Ability to contribute to a positive university experience for each and every student and assist in achieving the university's commitment to a "vision of excellence."

Education And Experience

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field and two years of related professional or technical experience required.
• Five years of professional writing and editing experience preferred.