Program & Partnership Coordinator

Bridge Builders, Inc.; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Bridge Builders, Inc. is seeking a Programs & Partnerships Coordinator in Milwaukee to work with the President, strengthen programs, and expand community partnerships. You will identify organizations, build relationships, and move ideas into action to broaden impact.

The role combines outreach, coordination, and advancement activities with a focus on ensuring partner engagement and program growth in a flexible/hybrid environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in nonprofit management or related field preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and initiate new connections.
• Excellent organization, time management, and follow-through.
• Experience with email, spreadsheets, CRM/contact-management systems, and social media.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate outreach, scheduling, and communication for programs and initiatives.
• Help recruit and communicate with program participants and community partners.
• Assist with launching and coordinating new programs as Bridge Builders expands.
• Develop organized processes for outreach, referrals, and participant communication.
• Coordinate program meetings, community activities, tours, and partner engagements.
• Track program participation, commitments, deadlines, and next steps.
• Identify prospective donors and funder opportunities and assist with donor relations.

Skills

Excellent communicator

Self-starter

Relationship building

Organized

Strong follow-through

Adaptable

Education

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred in nonprofit management or related field

Job description

Program & Partnership Coordinator

Reports to: President

Position Type: Full-Time or Part-Time

Location: Milwaukee, WI | Flexible/Hybrid

About Bridge Builders

Bridge Builders, Inc. is a Milwaukee-based nonprofit committed to transforming neighborhoods through housing, resident engagement, workforce development, volunteer mobilization, community-based programs, and strategic partnerships.

Bridge Builders is entering an exciting season of growth as we expand existing programs and develop new initiatives. We are looking for a motivated, highly relational individual who can help us build connections, coordinate programs, identify new opportunities, and turn ideas into action.

Position Summary

The Programs & Partnerships Coordinator will work directly with the President to help strengthen and expand Bridge Builders’ programs, partnerships, and community reach.

This is an ideal role for someone who loves talking to people, enjoys making new connections, takes initiative, and is motivated by results. The Coordinator will actively identify organizations, businesses, community leaders, potential funding relationships, program partners, and other individuals who should know about or work with Bridge Builders.

A major part of the role is opening doors. This person will research prospects, make initial connections, develop relationships with potential partners, and identify prospective donors or supporters. The Coordinator will then transition qualified donor relationships and fundraising opportunities to the President for continued cultivation and solicitation.

The Coordinator will also help organize and grow Bridge Builders programs, ensuring that participants, partners, activities, and opportunities move forward with strong communication and consistent follow-through.

Key Responsibilities

Programs & Coordination

• Coordinate outreach, scheduling, and communication for programs and initiatives.
• Help recruit and communicate with program participants and community partners.
• Assist with launching and coordinating new programs as Bridge Builders expands.
• Develop organized processes for outreach, referrals, and participant communication
• Coordinate program meetings, community activities, tours, and partner engagements.
• Track program participation, commitments, deadlines, and next steps.

Partnerships & Community Connections

• Proactively identify businesses, corporations, churches, schools, government agencies, community organizations, workforce partners, manufacturers, contractors, and other potential partners.
• Make introductory phone calls, send outreach emails, attend networking events, and initiate new relationships.
• Identify opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships, in‑kind donations, volunteers, participant referrals, and collaborative programming.
• Research prospective partners before involving the President and help determine potential alignment with Bridge Builders.
• Prepare background information and talking points for important meetings.
• Follow up consistently to help move conversations toward clear next steps.

Advancement & Opportunity Development

• Identify prospective donors, corporate supporters, sponsors, foundations, and other individuals or organizations that may have an interest in Bridge Builders.
• Make initial connections with prospective donors and supporters and appropriately transition promising relationships to the President.
• Research funding, sponsorship, partnership, and community‑development opportunities for consideration by the President.
• Maintain an organized pipeline of prospects, opportunities, contacts, and next steps.
• Help gather program information, stories, outcomes, and other materials that support the President’s fundraising and advancement efforts.
• Assist with donor and partner recognition and stewardship activities as directed.

The President retains primary responsibility for donor cultivation, fundraising asks, grant writing, and major donor relationships.

Communications & Outreach

• Help communicate BBs’ programs, impact, needs, and opportunities to the community.
• Support social media, newsletters, outreach materials, and partner communications.
• Gather photos, testimonials, program updates, impact stories, and partner highlights.
• Respond to or appropriately route inquiries from participants and community partners.
• Represent BBs professionally at community meetings and networking events,

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who is:

• An excellent communicator who genuinely enjoys talking with people.
• Comfortable introducing themselves, making phone calls, and sending outreach emails
• A self-starter who sees what needs to be done and takes initiative.
• Results-oriented with strong follow-through.
• Naturally curious and able to identify connections and opportunities.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple relationships and priorities.
• Comfortable communicating with business leaders, elected officials, clergy, and partners
• Adaptable and excited about building new programs and systems
• Professional, dependable, resourceful, and committed

Qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred in nonprofit management, business, communications, community development, marketing, public relations, social sciences, or a related field.
• Strong verbal, written, telephone, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and initiate new connections.
• Strong organization, time management, and follow-through.
• Comfortable using email, spreadsheets, contact‑management systems, & social media
• Experience in nonprofit work, program coordination, community engagement, relationship development, sales, business development, and communications preferred

Growth Opportunity

This position comes at an important time in the growth of Bridge Builders. As the organization expands its programs, partnerships, and community impact, there is significant opportunity for the responsibilities of this position to grow.

We are looking for someone who doesn’t simply want to fill a position, but who is excited to help build what comes next.