Advancement & Communications Director

St. Luke's United Methodist Church•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Garden is a 53,000-square-foot youth center in Sharpstown/Gulfton in Houston, TX. The facility is owned by St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and is located on the St. Luke’s Gethsemane campus. The Garden opened in June 2024 and is dedicated to fostering curiosity, growth, and well-being among young people. The Garden offers workshops, events, and programming for youth ages 11-24. Programming primarily focuses on health and wholeness, knowledge and skills, and art and expression. Design, implement, and manage a comprehensive fundraising plan that advances the mission of The Garden Develop and execute fundraising initiatives that support The Garden's annual operating budget and long-term financial sustainability Serve as a strategic partner in driving revenue growth through major gifts, corporate and foundation partnerships, events, and grant funding Lead the organization's communications strategy, including external messaging, donor and stakeholder communications, and brand marketing to elevate The Garden's visibility and deepen community engagement

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, communications, business, or a related field
Demonstrated success in securing major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and foundation grants
Experience managing donor databases (e.g., Salesforce, Raiser's Edge)
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong grant writing ability
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism in handling donor relationships
Strong problem-solver with excellent follow-up and attention to detail; ability to retain and recall information quickly
Self-starter with the ability to work independently and as part of a team on multiple initiatives at the same time; excellent analytical and project management skills
Passionate, energetic, relationship-driven, results-oriented leader

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with the following programs preferred: Box.com, Salesforce, Survey Monkey, and an email marketing platform like MailChimp

Responsibilities

Develop and execute comprehensive short- and long-term development plans that meet the organization's annual and multi-year fundraising goals.
Lead prospect research and build a structured donor cultivation pipeline
Oversee and grow the organization's donor database, ensuring data integrity, accurate record-keeping, and effective use of the system.
Develop and manage an annual communications calendar that strategically positions fundraising campaigns, donor stewardship touchpoints, and development opportunities.
Lead efforts to ensure that all donor-facing communications reflect the organization's voice, values, and impact
The Communications Director will lead all communications efforts for the organization, partnering with the Executive Director and key stakeholders to ensure that strategy and messaging are grounded in organizational vision and priorities.
Co-develop and lead the planning and execution of fundraising events in partnership with internal staff and volunteers.
Proactively identify local, regional, and national grant opportunities aligned with the organization's programs and priorities.
Meet regularly with the Executive Director to align development activities with organizational goals, strategic priorities, and financial needs.
Serve as a key resource to the Board, providing updates on development performance and equipping board members with the tools and confidence to engage in fundraising activities on behalf of the organization.