National Foster Youth Action Network seeks part-time, contract Development & Communications Associate. Position is 15 hours/week (flexible schedule) in downtown San Francisco. Hourly fee is $35+ depending on skills and experience.
About the National Foster Youth Action Network
Founded in 2008, the National Foster Youth Action Network (“Action Network”) trains and empowers foster youth to speak out about their experiences in care and to work collaboratively with policymakers to improve the foster care system. As consumers of the system, we believe that foster youth are best equipped to identify problems and help craft effective solutions for system change. Action Network staff, many of whom are themselves former foster youth, train and guide youth as they organize themselves, set their own policy agendas, and partner with legislators and policy makers to find the best legislative solutions for foster youth, governments, and communities. By partnering with community-based organizations in multiple states, the Action Network builds a sustainable training model and creates a culture of empowerment among foster youth and their adult allies. The Action Network is now active in six states and continues to expand. The agency budget is $414,000, with income from foundations, individual donors, and partner organizations. Staffing includes the Executive Director, the three-member National Training Team, and fundraising and web design consultants. The Executive Director/Founder is an accomplished child welfare leader and a committed and savvy fundraiser and spokesperson.
About the Development & Communications Associate Position
This will be our first Development/Communications team member. We seek a candidate who is eager to play a leadership role, partnering with the Executive Director, in building the Action Network’s fundraising and communications capacity for the long-term benefit of foster youth throughout the United States.
Principal Responsibilities:
- With Executive Director, finalize draft fundraising and communications plans
- Engage participating foster youth, partner organizations, staff and Board to tell the compelling Action Network story to key audiences including donors/funders, potential donors, foster youth, the general public, and child welfare professionals and policymakers
- With E.D. and Board, build an individual donor fundraising program that strengthens relationships with donors, increases the number of donors from the current base of 100; and expands support from donors of $500+
- Write and/or edit donor communications including print and email newsletters and fundraising appeals
- Assist with writing/editing grant proposals and reports to funders
- Coordinate online and offline communications activities, integrating best practices for using social media
- Develop and maintain Action Network brand online
- Coordinate and provide content for Action Network website and integrate new photos, video and other content from partner groups into website and social networks
- Develop and manage content development for social networks
Qualifications and Experience:
- Outstanding skills in writing and editing
- Ability to multi-task and work independently, as well as in team settings
- Ability to comfortably communicate with a range of key stakeholders and network members, including Board members, training team, local partner groups and foster youth members
- Demonstrated skills as a strategic and tactical thinker
- Experience in nonprofit development and/or communications
- Project management experience
- Experience with social networks and digital strategy for nonprofit organizations
- WordPress experience a plus; willingness to learn the Content Management side of WordPress a must
- Familiarity with strategic advocacy communications for public interest issues
How to apply
Application deadline: January 24, 2012. Email resume, cover letter, and two brief writing samples to: jknipe@fosteryouthaction.org. Please include “Development & Communications Associate” in the subject line of your email. Only those applicants selected for an interview will receive a response. No telephone calls please.
