Salary: $50,000 annually
Reports to: Executive Director
On Site: 4626 N Knox Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630
Position Summary
Irish Community Services (ICS) seeks a creative, organized, and mission-driven Communications & Development Coordinator to strengthen the organization’s communications, community engagement, and fundraising efforts.
The Communications & Development Coordinator will play a key role in sharing the impact of ICS programs, increasing awareness of the organization’s mission, coordinating fundraising initiatives, and strengthening connections with the communities ICS serves. Working closely with the Executive Director and program staff, this position will develop engaging written and visual content, coordinate organizational communications, support fundraising campaigns, and help ensure ICS maintains a consistent and professional public presence.
The successful candidate will be a strong storyteller who can translate the impact of community programs into compelling communications across digital, print, and social media platforms. They will also support fundraising efforts through donor communications, grant support, annual appeals, sponsorship materials, and coordination of ICS fundraising events.
This position will occasionally require evening and weekend work to support programs, events, and community outreach. As part of a small, collaborative team, all staff are expected to contribute to organization-wide priorities and occasionally support programs and activities beyond their primary responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
Communications & Storytelling
· Develop and maintain an annual communications calendar.
· Create engaging written and visual content for newsletters, email communications, social media, website updates, and organizational materials.
· Design professional-quality digital and print materials using Canva, including social media graphics, flyers, posters, newsletters, presentations, event materials, and fundraising materials.
· Capture and share participant stories, program highlights, photographs, and impact stories that demonstrate the value of ICS programs.
· Collaborate with program staff to identify opportunities to highlight participant experiences, outcomes, and community impact.
· Maintain consistent branding and messaging across all ICS communications.
· Ensure the ICS website and public-facing materials remain accurate and current.
Development Support
· Support the planning and implementation of fundraising campaigns, including the annual appeal.
· Develop donor communications, campaign materials, and fundraising updates.
· Coordinate donor acknowledgements and ensure timely communication with supporters.
· Maintain accurate donor and fundraising records.
· Assist with grant applications and reporting by collecting program information, outcomes, stories, and supporting materials.
· Research potential funding opportunities and assist with fundraising initiatives.
· Support sponsorship communications and recognition activities.
Fundraising Events
· Coordinate the planning, promotion, and implementation of ICS fundraising events, including the annual Golf Outing and a second signature fundraising event.
· Develop event timelines, planning materials, and promotional strategies.
· Coordinate event communications, registration processes, volunteers, vendors, and logistics.
· Assist with sponsor communications and event-related materials.
· Support post-event follow-up, evaluation, and recommendations for improvement.
Community Engagement
· Promote ICS programs, services, and events throughout the community.
· Build relationships with community organizations, partners, and local media.
· Identify opportunities to increase awareness of ICS programs and strengthen community connections.
· Attend community events and represent ICS professionally.
· Support volunteer recruitment, recognition, and engagement efforts.
Organizational Support
· Support Board communications, presentations, and organizational publications as needed.
· Maintain organized communications files, templates, photographs, and digital assets.
· Collaborate with staff across all program areas to support organizational goals.
· Participate in organizational events and activities.
· Contribute to continuous improvement of ICS communications and fundraising processes.
Performance Expectations
Success in this role will be demonstrated by:
Communications
· Maintaining and executing a consistent communications calendar.
· Producing a high-quality monthly newsletter.
· Ensuring regular, engaging social media and digital communications.
· Creating professional, on-brand materials for programs, events, and fundraising initiatives.
· Regularly capturing and sharing stories that demonstrate ICS’s impact.
Development Support
· Supporting successful annual appeal and fundraising communications.
· Ensuring timely and accurate donor communications.
· Providing organized communications materials and program information for grant applications and reports.
· Maintaining accurate fundraising records and materials.
Fundraising Events
· Successfully coordinating ICS fundraising events through effective planning, communication, and follow-through.
· Ensuring event materials, promotions, and logistics are completed on schedule.
· Supporting positive experiences for sponsors, attendees, volunteers, and community members.
Organizational Effectiveness
· Meeting deadlines and managing competing priorities effectively.
· Collaborating successfully with program staff and leadership.
· Identifying opportunities to improve communications, visibility, and organizational systems.
· Demonstrating initiative, creativity, and strong attention to detail.
Qualifications
Required
· Bachelor’s degree in communications, nonprofit management, public relations, marketing, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
· Minimum of two years of experience in communications, nonprofit development, fundraising support, or a related role.
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
· Demonstrated proficiency using Canva to create professional-quality digital and print materials.
· Experience managing social media platforms and email communications.
· Strong organizational and project management skills.
· Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
· Strong attention to detail.
· Commitment to the mission of Irish Community Services and the communities it serves.
· Ability to work evening and weekend hours intermittently.
Preferred
· Experience working in a nonprofit or community-based organization.
· Experience supporting fundraising campaigns or events.
· Experience with donor databases or CRM systems.
· Experience supporting grant applications and reporting.
· Photography, video, or digital storytelling experience.
· Experience with website content management systems.
Core Competencies
· Excellent written communication
· Visual storytelling and design
· Creativity and initiative
· Relationship building
· Project management
· Collaboration
· Organization and attention to detail
· Adaptability
· Mission-driven approach
About Irish Community Services
Irish Community Services provides programs and services that support, connect, and empower individuals and families throughout the Chicago region. Through immigration services, social services, wellness initiatives, cultural programming, and community engagement opportunities, ICS works to build a vibrant and connected community and is proud to serve people from all around the world.
Benefits
ICS offers generous paid time off – 20 days vacation and 5 sick days annually, 18.5 paid holidays annually, and a monthly stipend toward health insurance costs.
Pay: $50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
