The Franciscan Action Network (FAN) seeks a dynamic individual to serve as Communications and Development Coordinator. This is an entry level full-time staff position, located in Washington DC, and is open immediately. FAN is a nondiscriminatory, nonpartisan 501(c)3 organization and is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community among staff, board, and our broader network.
Organization Information
Inspired by the Gospel of Jesus and the example of Saints Francis and Clare, the Franciscan Action Network is a collective Franciscan voice seeking to transform United States public policy related to justice, peace, creation, and human dignity. Founded in 2008, the organization serves a large network of Franciscan religious communities as well as thousands of laypersons who identify with the Franciscan charism. By informing, inspiring, and mobilizing its large and growing network for advocacy, FAN is building an intergenerational Franciscan movement at the grassroots and national levels. As a small staff, we operate in an inclusive, mutually supportive manner and develop decisions by consensus.
Job Description
The Communications and Development Coordinator is responsible for developing and executing an overall communications and outreach strategy, keeping our network informed through newsletters and direct emails, running online webinars, managing the FAN website and social media pages, and developing working relationships with media outlets. The Coordinator also works closely with the executive director on various aspects of FAN’s development work, including devising messaging and communications strategies for fundraising campaigns, tracking and acknowledging donations, and serving as staff liaison to the FAN Board of Directors.
This is a fast-paced position with significant room for creativity that offers an outstanding opportunity to play a pivotal role within a faith-based advocacy organization. This position reports to the executive director.
Overall Communications strategy:
- Produce messaging for the organization consistent with Franciscan values and spirituality
- Collaborate with the executive director and senior staff to develop internal and external communications
- Make contact with journalists and media outlets to cover FAN activities
- Maintain overall communications calendar
Weekly Newsletter:
- Draft widely-read weekly newsletter including inputs from staff, solicit and edit input from outside authors
- Proofread the newsletter, schedule sending, post on website
Web Events:
- Help to plan FAN’s educational webinars, send out invitations, communicate with participants
- Run technical end of webinars
Email outreach, content development, and website update:
- Work closely with staff, and draft graphics and copy for dedicated email blasts to our network on specific advocacy opportunities, events, fundraising, etc.
- Update website with current campaigns, events, and advocacy actions
Social media:
- Publish timely posts on social media channels, developing original content or editing outside content
- Develop graphics to accompany posts when needed
Development:
- Work with executive director on messaging and communication for annual development campaigns and events
- Help to draft grant applications and ensure they are submitted on time. Work with staff and bookkeeper on status of funds spent and draft accountability reports.
- Oversee systems for tracking individual and institutional donations via CRM (SalesForce), help to write and record acknowledgements, communicate directly with donors as needed
- Draft messaging and graphics for development campaigns as needed
Board Liaison:
- Serve as a point of contact for the Board of Directors along with the Executive Director to answer questions, coordinate and inform of meeting dates/times, coordinate travel to meetings, etc.
- Make arrangements for biannual board meetings and committee meetings including coordination of times, reserving meeting space, scheduling Zoom calls, etc.
- Take accurate minutes for all meetings and distribute once edited
Job Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
- 1-3 years work experience, during or after education, preferably in communications and/or development
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills with an emphasis on collaboration
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines
- Flexibility and strong multitasking abilities
- Facility with online technology
- Demonstrated interest in issues related to justice, peace, integrity of creation, and human dignity
- Willingness to work in a faith based organization and to learn about Franciscan spirituality
- Ability to work and participate in in-person advocacy activities in Washington DC (some remote work is permitted)
Desirable:
- Knowledge of email distribution softwares such as Salsa Engage, MailChimp, etc.
- Knowledge of CRM database tools such as Salesforce, Hubspot, etc.
- Understanding of the internal mechanisms of the Zoom video conferencing platform
- Knowledge of website design tool WordPress
- Basic graphic design experience
- Knowledge of social media platforms and posting softwares
- Knowledge of Christian and Catholic spirituality as well as Catholic social teaching
FAN will accept rolling applications until the position is filled.
To Apply:
Applicants should send a cover letter and résumé by email to jobs@franciscanaction.org.