CEF: Community Empowerment Fund

Position Overview

Working closely with CEF’s executive and board leadership as well as support staff, the Development & Communications Manager will lead development and communication efforts as CEF continually grows its reach in the community. The Development & Communications Manager will be responsible for sustaining CEF’s development strategy through grants and contracts management, funder relationships, communications stewardship, and donor campaigns and events; creating and posting content to CEF’s social media platforms; creating a monthly newsletter; producing CEF’s Annual Report; and managing all communications and grant processes and documentation. Although most responsibilities may be carried out remotely, some on-site work should be expected, especially for events. The Development & Communications Manager will report to the Executive Director and may supervise volunteer Advocates and Summer Interns. They are a key member of the Senior Leadership Team.

Position Responsibilities

Developing and implementing development strategy to achieve fundraising goals: 

• Create, lead, and implement annual and multi-year development plans, in close collaboration with CEF leadership team (includes ED and Board Development Committee), including a long-term sustainability strategy
• Identify, cultivate, and steward strong relationships with funders, donors, governmental partners, and other allies–including direct solicitations 
• Identify and cultivate new funding prospects, including major donors and foundations 
• Lead and coordinate CEF staff, volunteers, and board members engaged in development, including supervision of volunteer Advocate leaders and working with Board Development Committee 
• Manage development systems and processes, including maintaining donor database (Salesforce) and managing the creation of the Annual Report
• Participate in organizational strategic planning alongside the leadership team 

Manage application and reporting processes for CEF grants and contracts:

• Create and manage an annual grants/contract calendar in order to monitor and meet grant application and reporting deadlines
• Develop materials for grant applications, letters of inquiry, proposals, invoices, and grant and contract reports 
• Identify and cultivate new funding prospects 
• Manage contract cultivation, relationships, and reporting 
• Work with program staff to ensure that necessary outcomes are being tracked

Individual donors – major gifts, events, mailing campaigns: 

• Lead and implement annual fundraising events and house parties 
• Manage and implement individual donor campaigns (2x/year) 
• Coordinate team efforts and engage actively in individual donor development, including ongoing communication, gift acknowledgments, and relational connections 
• Plan & organize “friend-raising” events including the annual Share the Love: Art Show and Alumni Advocate reunions
• Plan CEF’s annual event, The Piggy Bank Bash, including cultivating sponsors, finding a venue, outreach, ticket sales, etc.

Develop and manage CEF’s external communications strategy:

• Create and manage a communications calendar for external communications (including to wider CEF network and donors)
• Develop written content for all external ephemera including donor-facing communications, monthly e-newsletters, and the Annual Report
• Work with program staff and volunteer Advocates to produce regular social media and blog posts (3-4/wk) highlighting relevant local stories and programs, Member stories, staff stories, updates to CEF programs, and fundraising campaigns
• Work with program staff and volunteer Advocates to create and use Member-interview protocols to share stories both externally and internally
• Maintain CEF’s website

Administrative Tasks:

• Maintain necessary files and records (both electronic and paper) for all grants, contracts, and donations
• Manage the monthly thank-you process–matching donations in Salesforce, including generating donor list, completing mail merge, and writing messages to each donor. Also responsible for mailing
• Work with Finance & Operations Manager to provide the necessary documentation to CEF’s auditor 

CEF Team Member

• Attend and participate in all regularly scheduled team meetings, caucuses, retreats, supervision, and other activities in Durham and Chapel Hill (remote and in-person)
• Work collaboratively with team members when necessary
• Engage actively in program design and project management efforts to improve CEF’s outcomes, impact, and methodologies
• Embody CEF values and guiding principles, participate meaningfully in meetings, work collaboratively with coworkers, and engage in CEF in ways that are informed by social justice frameworks including, but not limited to relationship-based support, trauma-informed care, harm-reduction, and motivational interviewing
• Follow CEF financial procedures, including timely reporting of expenses, clear communication around debit card needs, and participation in budget creation

Position Qualifications (Required unless indicated as “preferred”) 

• 3-5 years of experience leading fundraising, and development work–including demonstrated success in securing funds from foundations and major donors, preferably for organizations $1M-$2M in size
• Experience with a range of development/fundraising duties, including individual donor cultivation/campaigns, grant/contract management, and major donor communications
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills 
• Experience leading fundraising events planning, including sponsorship cultivation
• Experience with project management and coordinating a team, including volunteers
• Experience with donor database management (Customer Relationship Management database software, ex. Salesforce) and outcomes reporting (database tracking software, ex. Tableau)
• Strong aptitude with spreadsheets required, including proficiency in G Suite (Google Sheets and Docs) and Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel)
• Self-motivated, with exceptional organizational abilities and attention to detail, with ability to follow through on many simultaneous projects
• Clear analysis and understanding of racial equity, structural racism, socioeconomic inequity, and white supremacy culture, particularly in relation to communications and nonprofit organizational structure
• Experience leading narrative storytelling through a racial equity lens and creating communications that work to dismantle white supremacist systems within CEF’s internal functions
• Experience maintaining a WordPress website, preferred
• Experience working with Canva, preferred
• Willingness and ability to learn new technologies and programs quickly
• Commitment to CEF’s mission 

An ideal candidate will have

• A commitment to shared leadership, embodying CEF’s values and guiding principles
• Affirming, empowering, collaborative, and listening-based leadership style, with a strong sense of self-direction and accountability to the community
• Compelling, authentic, and clear verbal and written communication
• Ability to take initiative and complete duties independently 
• Experience and comfort working with people across abilities and neurological differences, and from diverse racial, socioeconomic, educational, cultural, religious, gender, and ethnic backgrounds and identities
• Experience with work management software (ex. Asana, Slack)

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time, salaried position. The Development & Communications Manager is expected to work an average of 40 hours per week and will be paid $55,000 annually. This position is also eligible for 100% employer-paid health insurance; 100% employer-paid term life insurance; a 401(k) plan with 4% employer match; optional employee-paid dental and vision; paid vacation, sick, and holiday leave; and a professional development stipend. See an outline of CEF’s benefits here. All CEF staff are expected to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit weekly negative test results. This position is open immediately.

To Apply 

Please submit a cover letter outlining why you are a great fit for this position, resume, 2 writing samples, and 3 professional references to [email protected] with the subject “Development & Communications Manager.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a priority deadline June 30, 2023.

CEF is an equal opportunity employer, and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, LGBTQI-identified people, and people with lived experience with homelessness or poverty. 

CEF: Community Empowerment Fund