Hiring: Development and Communications Coordinator – Gardening the Community

Organization Description

Founded in 2002, in Springfield, MA, Gardening the Community (GTC), a fiscally sponsored project of Third Sector New England, is a food justice organization engaged in youth development, urban agriculture and sustainable living to build healthy and equitable communities.  GTC works with youth to grow food on vacant lots and organizes to expand healthy, affordable food access in the Mason Square neighborhoods of Springfield.  GTC’s vision includes building a vibrant, healthy food system with just and equal access to it – one that recognizes and addresses inequity, so racism no longer determines the health or well-being of a neighborhood or community.

Job Summary

The Development and Communications Coordinator builds and maintains GTC’s development infrastructure, supports donor cultivation and solicitation efforts and increases GTC’s visibility throughout its donor communities. The position also helps manage administrative functions related to revenue tracking.  We are looking for someone who is passionate about GTC’s mission as well as expanding community support and funding for GTC’s work in Springfield and the region.

Essential Job Functions

Development infrastructure

• Managing GTC’s CRM database, including updating donor records, processing and thanking all incoming gifts and developing reports to support fundraising campaigns and appeals;
• Recruiting and managing development interns and volunteers for GTC;
• Providing support to the Development Committee, including organizing monthly meetings.

Donor cultivation, solicitation and tracking

• Managing donor mailings and spring and fall appeals;
• Tracking and managing pledges as well as sustainer gifts to ensure on-time payment;
• Analyzing donor giving patterns to increase donations and giving levels;
• Assisting with individual donor cultivation and stewardship strategies including donor visits and managing donor appreciation and other communications;
• Conducting research on donor prospects and manage other strategies to expand donor base;
• Managing fundraising and donor cultivation events, such as house parties and community fundraisers;
• Managing sponsorship solicitations, invoicing and follow up.

Visibility and Communications

• Developing and implementing strategies for increasing GTC’s visibility throughout our donor and grantor communities, including the use of social media and videos;
• Assisting with design, preparation and distribution of the annual report and other reports to donors;
• Coordinating design of outreach materials for GTC appeals and specific events;
• Working with the Youth Program and Community Engagement Manager and promotions team to produce quarterly e-newsletter;
• Assisting the Co-Director for Program and Marketing with website updates and other tasks as delegated;
• Managing and updating email lists.

Revenue Tracking

• Preparing deposits as delegated; preparing checks for mailing to fiscal sponsor and maintaining revenue files;
• Reconciling donations recorded through fiscal sponsor (TSNE) with GTC payment processor records;
• Reconciling wireless terminal receipts related to fundraising initiatives.

Other

• Engaging GTC youth in fundraising and visibility work in ways that develop their skills and leadership;
• Participating in GTC work days and other growing/market work.

Hours and Compensation

This is a part-time 30 hours per week position and is paid $15-$18 per hour depending on experience.  Benefits include generous health and dental plans, flexible work hours, paid time off, and regular access to delicious, locally grown vegetables.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will have 2+ years’ experience in the nonprofit field, preferably in fundraising;
• Must be analytical and comfortable working with databases;
• Demonstrated experience in project or event coordination in a fast paced environment;
• Highly organized, with acute attention to detail;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including writing;
• Able to multi-task and meet deadlines;
• Solid computer literacy and skill in internet research;
• Ability to learn new skills quickly;
• Comfortable working independently and in a team environment;
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission of GTC and to racial justice;
• Experience working in multi-racial, multicultural organizations;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel;
• Someone who knows and loves Springfield;
• Experience with a constituent relationship management (CRM) database preferred;
• Experience with visibility and/or promotions work for organizations preferred;
• Experience with MailChimp, FaceBook, Instagram, Weebly and design software preferred;
• Volunteer management experience preferred;
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

To Apply

We strongly encourage online applications.  Please attach your resume and cover letter.  In the cover letter please describe your interest in the position, knowledge of Springfield, and commitment to the food and racial justice mission of GTC, along with three professional references that can speak to your work ethic, commitment, and relevant work experience.  References should include the name, title, email and/or phone number.

Applications will be accepted until June 2 – we hope to fill the position by early July.

Apply online here

We do accept applications by mail or fax.  Send to:

Third Sector New England
NonProfit Center, 7th floor
Attn: HR – 89 South Street
Boston, MA 02111

Or Fax: 617.896-9393

As an EOE/AA employer, TSNE/Gardening the Community will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identification and veteran or disability status.