Associate, Community Engagement

Cradles To Crayons•Newton, MA

About The Position

Cradles to Crayons (C2C) is a nonprofit founded in 2002 that provides children living in homeless or low-income situations with essential items, free of charge. Its mission centers on addressing Clothing Insecurity through in-person community engagement and advocacy and awareness. C2C has distributed more than four million customized packages of essentials and has a budget of $19 million for FY27 and approximately 100 staff members. The Associate, Community Engagement organizes and supports volunteer engagement and product collection opportunities in the community. The role uses community donation drop-off locations to acquire recycled products and create community-based engagement opportunities. The Associate supports community networkers with guidance, marketing and communication resources, collection models, and other tools. The position manages multiple projects and requires strong organization and attention to detail. All C2C staff participate in in-person volunteer shifts once per month.

Requirements

2–3 years of experience in a role involving project management and work with external stakeholders.
Proven networking and relationship-building skills.
Proven written, verbal, and communication skills.
Excellent customer service skills and the ability to communicate courteously and professionally with external stakeholders.
Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
Self-motivation, resourcefulness, ability to multitask, and attention to detail.
Weekend and evening hours are required.
Strong commitment to Cradles to Crayons’ mission and a passion for nonprofit work.
Valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, access to a vehicle, and a clear driving record.
Ability to walk up and down stairs, bend, reach, push, pull, and lift up to 40 pounds.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

Lead projects that expand C2C’s presence and impact in targeted communities by establishing and maintaining partnerships, coordinating donation bin placements, supporting donation drives, and strengthening volunteer networks.
Develop and manage town-specific goals and project plans to increase brand awareness and deepen community engagement.
Organize and guide Community Champions to align efforts and resources toward full engagement in target communities.
Support donor and partner relationships through project follow-up, clear communication, and customer service.
Coordinate donation pickups and supply distribution as needed, including occasional use of the C2C van.
Partner with the Marketing Team to produce project communication materials, maintain accurate presentations, and align messaging with End Clothing Insecurity statistics.
Manage annual collection initiatives by identifying participating groups, coordinating deliverables, and meeting timelines.
Own assigned projects from planning through execution, aligning them with organizational goals and community needs.
Record community engagement activities and project milestones in Salesforce to track outcomes and measure impact.
Monitor progress toward personal and team donation acquisition and community networking goals, and provide data-driven updates and insights.
Collaborate with the Community Engagement Team to meet recycled donation acquisition goals and contribute to organizational priorities.
Provide project status reports to the Manager of Community Engagement, identifying risks, challenges, and opportunities to improve strategy.
Support organizational operations and signature initiatives as needed, collaborating across functions.
Model and reinforce a positive One Cradles culture grounded in C2C’s Cultural Values.
Perform additional project and program responsibilities as assigned.
Participate in an in-person volunteer shift once per month.