Development & Communications Coordinator
Reports To: Executive Director
Status: Full-Time, Exempt (40 hours/week)
Salary: $50,000 to $60,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience
Location: Saint Paul Park, Minnesota, with regular work in the community
Job Closing: Open until filled. Apply now.
To Apply: Resume and Cover Letter are required. Apply via Indeed or email to [email protected].
Our Mission
Basic Needs uplifts those who have encountered hardship by providing barrier-free access to basic needs through our nutritious and fresh food market, affordable and high-quality thrift shop, and coordinated social services referral network to build a stronger community focused on equity, inclusion, and sustainability. Our Motto: Volunteer Managed. Staff Supported. Mission Focused.
Position Summary
Basic Needs is seeking an organized, detail-oriented professional to help lead the execution of our fundraising, communications, and community engagement efforts. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Development & Communications Coordinator will manage assigned fundraising campaigns, donor information and stewardship systems, communications, grant administration, and community engagement activities.
This position will have ownership of defined projects and fundraising initiatives, including responsibility for developing plans, managing execution, tracking results, and meeting established goals. The Coordinator will work closely with the Executive Director on larger fundraising strategies, major donors, grants, corporate partnerships, and signature events.
This role is well suited for someone early in their career, or interested in a career change, who is organized, detail-oriented, and dedicated to growing their skills in nonprofit development and communications.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising & Donor Engagement
- Manage donor databases, gift processing, donor profiles, and stewardship records with a high level of accuracy.
- Develop and execute assigned digital and community-based fundraising campaigns with measurable revenue goals.
- Manage donor acknowledgments, stewardship communications, prospect research, and follow-up systems.
- Independently prepare smaller grant applications and reports while supporting larger proposals led by the Executive Director.
- Manage defined sponsorship opportunities, coordinate sponsorship fulfillment, and maintain corporate partner follow-up and reporting.
- Support major donor cultivation through prospect research, donor profiles, stewardship preparation, and follow-up.
- Prepare monthly fundraising reports, dashboards, and campaign performance analysis.
Communications & Storytelling
- Lead the organization’s social media, website, and email communications calendar.
- Create print and digital marketing materials using Canva and other communication platforms.
- Develop impact stories and coordinate with photographers and videographers to produce mission-focused content.
- Draft press releases, newsletters, donor communications, and annual report content.
Community Engagement & Events
- Own the organization’s community engagement calendar and coordinate outreach opportunities.
- Recruit, train, and schedule volunteer ambassadors for community events and tabling.
- Lead planning and execution of assigned fundraising and community engagement events.
- Support larger fundraising events through logistics, communications, sponsorship coordination, registration, and volunteer management.
Administrative Operations
- Maintain development calendars, project timelines, grant deadlines, and campaign milestones.
- Ensure development records, reporting, and backend processes are completed accurately and on time.
- Collaborate across departments to keep fundraising, communications, and engagement projects on schedule.
- Assist Food Market and Thrift Shop operations during periods of increased community need.
Performance Accountability
Success in this role will be measured by:
- Achievement of assigned fundraising campaign and revenue goals.
- Accuracy and completeness of donor and development records.
- Timely completion of grant applications, reports, and sponsorship deliverables.
- Consistent execution of donor stewardship and communications.
- Successful coordination of community engagement activities and assigned events.
- Quality, timeliness, and professionalism of development and communications work.
Qualifications
Required
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong project and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Ability to take ownership of assigned projects and follow them from planning through execution and evaluation.
- Professionalism, emotional intelligence, and strong interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
- Ability to learn and effectively use fundraising, CRM, and communications platforms.
- Ability to work collaboratively with staff, interns, volunteers, donors, and community partners.
- Commitment to the mission and values of Basic Needs.
Preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, Business, Public Relations, or a related field. Equivalent experience or demonstrated skills will be considered.
- One to three years of experience in nonprofit development, communications, marketing, sales, customer engagement, or a related field.
- Experience with GiveButter, HubSpot, Meta Business Suite, Canva, QuickBooks, or similar fundraising and communications platforms.
- Experience with donor databases, fundraising campaigns, grant writing, events, or community engagement is a plus.
Supervision & Collaboration
The Development & Communications Coordinator reports directly to the Executive Director and will supervise interns assigned to development and communications projects. The Coordinator will also work collaboratively with volunteer leaders and volunteer ambassadors to execute fundraising, communications, events, and community engagement activities.
Physical & Work Requirements
- Full-time, primarily in-office position with regular work throughout the community.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends for meetings, events, and fundraising activities.
- Local travel throughout the Twin Cities metro area.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and occasionally assist Food Market and Thrift Shop operations.
- Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods and perform the regular physical activities associated with events and community outreach.
Benefits
This position will receive paid health, vision and dental insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, sick and safe leave, a 401(k), professional development opportunities, a 10% employee discount at the Basic Needs Thrift Shop, plus 9 other optional benefits.
Is this position right for you?
We encourage candidates from a variety of professional backgrounds to apply. Experience in nonprofit development is valuable, but skills developed in communications, marketing, sales, customer engagement, events, or other relationship-focused fields can translate well to this position.
If you’re interested in the role but don’t meet every preferred qualification, we still encourage you to apply.
Basic Needs Inc. of South Washington County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and an at-will employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
We value a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other historically underrepresented candidates to apply.
Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
- Saint Paul Park, MN 55071 (Required)
Work Location: In person
